DIY Burger Bar for Entertaining
Here’s a fun idea for your next backyard barbecue— a DIY burger bar buffet filled with delicious toppings and sauces so guests can build their own perfect burger. Perfect for entertaining, parties and big crowds! Plus, I’m sharing my favorite hamburger patty recipe.
During the summer, burgers are my first choice for grilling and entertaining. They’re easy, versatile, and a crowd-pleaser for sure. Why not take the extra step and give your friends and family a wide variety of buns, sauces, cheeses and other toppings so they can create their ideal burger? You provide the options, while your guests bring their appetites and creativity!
Elevate it with homemade burger buns, homemade sauces, and gourmet toppings like bacon and caramelized onions. Read on for all of my suggestions for the best DIY burger bar spread, including tips for making a perfect hamburger patty.
Why a burger bar is perfect for your next gathering
- Guests can make their own ideal burger! As simple or gourmet as they want it.
- It takes burgers up a notch and feels special and fun.
- Works for both big groups and small parties.
- Everything except grilling the burgers can be prepped ahead of time, making entertaining easy.
“Love the ideas thank you. I’m hosting a build a burger lunch tomorrow!” —from reader Nisan
“I’m thinking of having a food bar for my boyfriend’s next baseball tournament for his team, and this sounds like the perfect thing to satisfy a bunch of hungry boys!” —from reader Bailey
The best beef burger recipe
A DIY burger bar has to start with a good hamburger patty. I’ve found that 80% lean ground chuck is the best meat the start with. It’s the perfect balance of fat and flavor! Keep it simple with a heavy sprinkling of salt and pepper. And if you want more, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a bit of garlic powder. That’s it!
Tips for better burger patties
- Don’t overwork the meat or your burgers will be tough. Mix and handle as little as possible!
- Use a scale so they’re all the same size. I usually make 1/4-pound burgers, and a scale makes that easy!
- Shape patties carefully so they don’t crack. Press down in the middle of a ball of meat, pushing outward gently (here’s a helpful video). Or, have you seen this hack for shaping patties between two tuppeware lids? It’s genius!
- Make the patties wider than your bun. They’ll shrink on the grill, so aim to make them 1 inch wider than your bun.
- Keep them cold so they don’t fall apart when cooking. Shape and prep them at least 1 hour in advance and keep in the fridge.
How to assemble a DIY burger bar
The possibilities for your burger bar spread are almost endless! How big or small you want your options to be is totally up to you (And how many guests you have. More guests means you can provide more options without leftovers). Here are a few key things to remember:
- Set up your spread so that it flows. Start with plates, then buns, toppings and condiments.
- Keep burgers hot. Set your spread near the grill if you’d like to serve the patties as they’re done cooking. Or have a slow cooker set to warm to hold cooked burgers.
- You don’t have to stick to just beef. Feel free to offer turkey burgers, plant-based burgers, or even grilled chicken breasts.
- Have plenty of classic toppings on hand. Think lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles.
- Elevate with a few “gourmet” options. Bacon, avocado or guacamole, grilled onions, jalapenos, arugula or specialty cheeses make a huge difference.
- Offer several condiments or sauces. Plan to have mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup available, but consider pesto, BBQ sauce, or a homemade sauce or aioli.
- Get creative. Your spread can have a theme, or cater to different age groups (kids verses adults only), and really anything goes. Have fun with it!
- Don’t forget side dishes and drinks. Have these grouped together for guests to dish up after they’ve assembled their burgers. Options and links below!
Side dishes to add
- The Best Potato Salad
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Ultimate Fruit Salad
- Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing
How to Build a DIY Burger Bar
Ingredients
For the patties:
- 2 ½ lbs ground chuck , preferably 80% lean
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
DIY Burger Burger Bar options:
- Hamburger buns , brioche, sesame, slider buns, etc.
- Condiments , mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, aioli, etc.
- Veggie toppings , lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, avocado, etc.
- Cheeses , cheddar, swiss, gouda, blue cheese, etc.
- Gourmet toppings , bacon, arugula, grilled onions, guacamole, grilled mushrooms, etc.
- Other toppings , as desired
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the ground beef with the salt and pepper, and Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder if using. Work gently with your hands and handle only as much as needed, don't overwork the meat.
- Divide mixture into 6 balls for 6oz patties or 8 balls for 4 oz patties. Press into a disk about ¾ inch high, gently pressing down in the center outward, using your hands to shape the edges so they don't crack.
- Brush both sides lightly with oil. Cover and chill until ready to grill, at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours. (For easy transfer to the grill, use a small square of wax or parchment paper to separate each patty.)
- Grill over high heat, about 4-5 minutes on each side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and no pink remains.
- If adding cheese, place on the top of the patty during the last 30 seconds of cooking. Serve immediately as desired.
- Assemble DIY burger bar as desired so that it flows well for guests to assemble their burgers. Keep spread close to the grill to serve burgers hot as they're done, or use a slow cooker on the warm setting to keep cooked burgers hot.
This recipe was originally published July 2014.
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Looks so delicious. I love it