In Honor Of National Hamburger Day, Here's How To Properly Build A Burger

In honor of National Hamburger Day, it's time to learn how to build a classic burger the right way — and yes, there's a right way to do it. To create the best burger, start with a quality bun. Place the bottom bun on a plate to serve as the foundation of your burger. Then, spread your desired condiments, such as mayo, ketchup, mustard, or barbecue sauce on the bottom bun.

Place a cooked patty on top of the condiments. (Here are some tips to make the best burger patties.) Then, if you want a cheeseburger, add a slice of cheese on top of the patty to allow it to melt. After that, layer your vegetables, like lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, and pickles on top of the cheese.

Once you have all of that in place, you can add extras like bacon, avocado, or sautéed mushrooms to give your burger a little oomph. Finally, add more condiments to the top bun and place it on the toppings to complete the burger and enjoy. Of course, this order can be adjusted according to personal preferences, but when you are looking to stack the best burger out there, this order may be the ultimate way to do it.

The order of building the perfect burger is not necessarily a strict rule, but it can enhance the overall eating experience. For example, placing condiments on the bottom bun creates a barrier that helps prevent the juices from the patty from saturating the bun and making it too soggy.

Layering all the ingredients this way allows you to handle the burger more easily, with the heavier, sturdier patty adding a base that you can hold onto as you pick up the burger. This helps you keep the other ingredients between the buns, and not fall off your plate.

This order also allows for a better distribution of flavors throughout the burger. Condiments on the buns provide a pop of flavor and keep the buns moist. Vegetables and other toppings add freshness, crunch, and complexity to the burger. By placing the cheese on top of the patty, it has an opportunity to melt and fuse with the meat, giving it a better flavor and texture.

While the above ingredients list a classic burger, you can switch them up to make your ideal hamburger. You can create a classic burger and then add a fried egg, avocado, crispy fried onions, or roasted peppers. Don't want a ground burger patty? No problem!

You can make a hamburger-type sandwich with a black bean patty, a fried chicken patty, or even a lamb patty. While the classic condiments of ketchup, mayo, and mustard are great, adding aioli, chipotle, or sriracha can change your dish's flavor.

Try layering a lamb patty with minced garlic and crumbled feta cheese on a toasted pita bread bun with tzatziki sauce, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. Or you can do a Mexican burger with a beef patty flavored with taco seasoning, topped with melted pepper jack cheese, and served on a toasted bun with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and crispy tortilla strips.

For a good veggie burger, add a black bean patty to a whole wheat bun and add avocado slices, lettuce, tomato, and creamy ranch sauce. Whatever ingredients you decide on, the steps to building the perfect burger hold true for them all and will help you create the layered masterpiece of your dreams.