Upgrade Your Grilled Burgers & Hot Dogs with These Easy Tricks

Nothing beats a classic grilled burger or hot dog, but simple tricks can take them to the next level. These tips will have your guests coming back for more.

Elevate Your Toppings Game

A great burger or hot dog starts with quality ingredients, but the right toppings can make all the difference.

Finished burger on a parchment paper with chips on a wood cutting board.

Sweet & Crunchy Combinations: The mix of sweet and crunchy textures will add the perfect twist to your burger or hot dog.

Try these Fruit & Nut Burgers with apples, chopped walnuts, and blackberry preserves to provide a refreshing contrast.

Two finished burger, one cut in half, sitting on a wood plank, an outdoor patio table. Trees and sky in the background.

Gourmet Cheese Swaps: For a cheesy upgrade, ditch the basics and opt for bold flavors. Brie, feta, or pimento cheese melt beautifully and add rich, tangy depth.

Try this Greek Burger with crumbled feta and Mediterranean-inspired toppings for a fresh twist.

Finished burger on a white plate, sitting on a tank napkin on a blight blue wood table.

Fresh & Unexpected Additions: Grill up a peach compote on your side burner and use it as a topping. The warm, caramelized sweetness pairs perfectly with smoky flavors.

Try these Old South Burgers with Peach Compote for a Southern-style upgrade.

Master Your Cooking Techniques

How you cook your burgers and hot dogs matters just as much as what you put on them.

Finished burger on a white square plate, sitting on a patio table, with a wicker rocking chair in the background.

Grill for Classic Char: For that classic backyard BBQ flavor, grilling over high heat locks in juices and adds that unmistakable smoky flavor.

Try the Perfect Burger for a foolproof grilling method.

Finished grilled burger on a white plate. Backyard in the background.

Griddle for Crispy Perfection: If you prefer a crispy, caramelized exterior, a flat-top griddle is the way to go. Smashing burgers on high heat maximizes surface contact, creating an irresistible crust.

Try Cheese Skirt Smash Burgers for a deliciously crispy bite.

Finished grilled burger with french fries on parchment paper.

Side Burner Hack: Don't forget about your grill’s side burner. It’s perfect for caramelizing onions, cooking mushrooms, or even making sauces.

Try this Grilled Mushroom Swiss Burger with rich, buttery mushrooms prepared right on your side burner.

Experiment with Condiments & Marinades

Simple seasoning swaps and marinades can add big flavor without extra effort.

Four finished burgers on parchment paper on a silver serving tray, sitting on a teal tablecloth.

Upgrade Your Burger Blend: Mix Worcestershire sauce, garlic, or steak seasoning directly into your ground beef for an easy flavor boost.

Try this Maple-Bacon Beer Burger, where a touch of sweetness meets smoky bacon goodness.

Grilled brat covered in sauerkraut on a white plate.

Marinate for Maximum Flavor: For maximum juiciness, marinate your brats or burgers in beer before grilling. It adds deep, malty flavors and keeps the meat tender.

Try these Beer Glazed Brats and Sauerkraut for the ultimate cookout upgrade.

Creative Condiments: A great condiment can make all the difference. A homemade BBQ sauce with a splash of bourbon brings a smoky-sweet kick to any burger.

Try this Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce to take your burgers to the next level.

Perfect Your Bun for the Best Bite

The bun is often overlooked, but the right preparation makes all the difference.

On a round wooden cutting board is a bun with a slice of cheese on it, grilled hamburger, slices of tomatoes, onions, avocado, lettuce.

Butter & Grill: Toasting your buns with butter creates a golden, crispy texture that enhances every bite.

Try these Angus Beef Burgers with Inverted Buns to experience just how much a toasted bun can improve your burger.

Finished burger with chips on a yellow plate.

Layer the Bun: Want a creamier bite? Smear a cheese spread directly onto the bun before adding your patty. This keeps flavors balanced and ensures every bite is packed with richness.

Try marking Garlic-Herb Cheeseburgers for a next-level upgrade.

Finished burger on a wood plate on a green tray, sitting on a gray table.

Try Specialty Breads: Switching up your bread can also elevate your burger or hot dog. Brioche, pretzel rolls, or potato buns add unique textures and flavors.

Try this Pork Burger Mojo that pairs perfectly with its sweet brioche bun.

Get Creative with Styles

Looking for inspiration beyond the basics? Take a culinary trip around the world with these regional favorites.

Trip to the Midwest: For a hearty, Midwestern-inspired twist, top your bratwurst with sautéed onions and a classic mustard drizzle.

Try this Wisconsin Bratwurst for a simple but flavorful upgrade.

Burger on an aluminum tray sitting on stone surface.

Italy in a Burger: Bring Italian flavors to the grill with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato on a juicy burger.

Try the Caprese Burger for a bright and herby twist.

Mini beef parties topped with grilled pineapple and lettuce on Hawaiian sweet rolls with cucumber on a red plate on a yellow table.

Hawaiian Delight: Want a taste of the tropics? Grilled pineapple and teriyaki sauce add the perfect sweet-and-savory balance.

Try Sweet Hawaiian Beef Sliders for a burger with island-inspired flair.

A few small upgrades can make a big impact on flavor. Whether you're experimenting with toppings, sauces, or cooking techniques, these tricks will bring new life to your grilling. Which of these ideas will you try first? Let us know by tagging us with #NotJustPropane on social media.

Published: 2025.05.08

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