Burger

The all-American cheeseburger gets a makeover, courtesy of grilled onions, a spicy-smoky ketchup, and an English muffin "bun."

An Indian-spiced burger that's balanced by a cooling raita (yogurt sauce).

Most veggie burgers must have self-esteem issues, since they're always pretending to be something they're not. But these bulgur burgers don't try to hide their meatless nature and instead celebrate their grain-centric origins with wonderful texture and a hint of Middle Eastern spice.

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are adapted from Elizabeth Karmel's Web site, girlsatthegrill.com . There are those days that nothing will do except a bacon cheeseburger. Instead of visiting your favorite burger joint, make them at home. You may never order a burger out again!

Using lamb slashes fat; mixing a milk-soaked pita into the patty keeps it moist.

No need to worry about why this Dominican burger shares a name with the Argentinean sauce—nobody knows. Instead, just call it a chimi, grab a cold beer, and enjoy!

Burger bonanza: Lean protein satisfies you; the salsa and bun add fiber.

Three make a meal, but a bunch make fun party hors d'oeuvres. Look for the rolls at a local bakery.

Ground lamb is a natural choice for a barbecue—its distinctive taste really stands up to the smoke of the grill. These burgers get an extra boost from charmoula, a North African spice mixture.

Looking to jazz up a backyard barbecue? The bold flavors in this burger will definitely get guests talking. A paste of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and serrano chile enlivens ground turkey, while also helping to keep it moist. If you don't have a mini food processor, don't be discouraged. It may take longer, but it's still worth the effort to finely chop the ingredients and mash them to a paste using a mortar and pestle. A spicy lime vinaigrette takes the place of traditional condiments.

Food lovers on America's coasts have long known that crab cakes make wonderful sandwiches. Here, tender lumps of sweet crab are seasoned (in the manner of traditional Louisiana deviled crabs) and lightly bound with egg and bread crumbs, then panfried until the cakes have a golden crust. A thin layer of tangy tartar sauce and crisp lettuce is all the accompaniment they need.

Spicing up store-bought barbecue sauce with a touch of cayenne and a splash of vinegar is an easy trick that makes a big difference. Here, pork burgers get a triple hit of flavor: The sauce gets mixed into the meat, slathered onto the cooked burgers for the last minute of grilling, and brushed on the bun. A cabbage slaw with a creamy dressing tops them off with just the right crunch.

Think meatless has to mean boring? These delicious patties, made with earthy portabella mushrooms and hearty kasha, defy the bland reputation of vegetarian burgers. A fiery dollop of chipotle mayonnaise makes them even more irresistible.

With the exception of beef and cheese, there is no burger combination more revered than beef and bacon. Here, we've improved on a classic by putting crumbled pieces of cooked bacon in the middle of the burger. It adds unexpected bits of crisp texture and diffuses smoky flavor throughout the beef.

Food editor Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez often cooks for hordes of children, including her three-year-old son, Alex, and she knows that meatballs are always an easy sell. Inspired by the tiny meatball sandwiches served at New York City's Little Owl restaurant, she came up with these kid-size treats that can be eaten with one hand (leaving the other one free to wreak kid-size havoc).

For tender burgers, gently combine and shape the chicken mixture.

For burgers with the best texture, blend the meat and seasoning gently, trying not to overwork it, and then shape the mixture into patties.

These newfangled burgers are stuffed with feta cheese. Pressing the center of the raw hamburger to form a slight indentation prevents the burger from puffing up in the center when cooking.

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from Lobel's Prime Time Grilling: Recipes & Tips from America's #1 Butchers, by Stanley, Leon, Evan, Mark and David Lobel. Sausage varies wildly in quality and seasonings. Buy your favorite hot Italian sausage from a butcher or shop you know and like. If you prefer, use another kind of sausage meat, flavored as you prefer, but use the best money can buy.