Lakeshore RV Center
Ahhh, the hamburger. America’s pride and joy staple food, the perfect go-to at restaurants, and one of the easiest foods to make while camping! The way people construct their burger can say a lot about them! Whether you’re one of those more simple types who opts for a plain burger, or one who loads it up to the max, there’s really no wrong way to do a burger! Become a grill master and construct the perfect burger and you’ll feel like a gourmet foodie, even out in the middle of nowhere!
I’m not saying your burger tastes are lame, but here are some suggestions to inspire you and give you some ideas on how to take your burger to the next level, and include some items that you just may have never thought of!
In order to have a burger, you need a nice meaty slab to build around. You can still have a burger without a bun, so choose the best slab for your tastes and get building! Don’t worry vegetarians and vegans, we aren’t forgetting you! A good burger doesn’t have to revolve around animal products!
GROUND BEEF—This is the most classic meat for a burger. There’s a lot of room for deliciousness! Ground chuck is delicious and has more fat, giving your burgers a more juicy flavor. Ground sirloin has a fantastic flavor, but can be on the dry side thanks to its lower fat content.
TURKEY—For a more heart-friendly, healthier option, ground turkey is a great way to go! It’s similar to ground beef in taste, but is definitely less fatty and juicy. The flavor can be somewhat disappointing if you’re expecting the taste of red meat, but you can dress your meat up with flavors that you won’t be mad about!
BUFFALO—If you’re feeling particularly fancy, buffalo meat burgers definitely go for the wow factor! It has a lighter flavor than beef, with a slightly sweeter taste, but is wonderfully tender and is lower in fat and cholesterol than beef.
VEGGIE PATTIES—Vegetarians and vegans, you have options too! Even if you aren’t meatless, veggie burgers can be super delicious! Sometimes I prefer them over a regular hamburger; they just have a unique flavor that’s delicious and chock full of vegetables! There are also options out there for simple ground beef substitutes without the veggies too, so try some out and find what’s best for you!
You can still have a good hamburger without a bun, but if you prefer to keep things more classic, you’ll want something you can grab onto and chomp down on! You’re camping after all, this is no time for formalities like a knife and fork!
SESAME SEED/PLAIN—The classic. Many fast food restaurants serve their burgers on sesame seed buns, which add some nice texture. You can also opt for buns without the seeds, which is great if you don’t like them, or if you or someone at your campsite is allergic to sesame seeds.
KAISER—These are also a delicious option! Kaiser is a nice, light bun that has a great flavor and texture, and are frequently used for deli sandwiches, but are also a great choice for hamburgers.
PRETZEL BUNS—If you haven’t tried a pretzel bun, I don’t think you’re living your life right! Okay, that’s just my very strong opinion, but pretzel buns are DELICIOUS! They just add an extra bit of tasty flavor that can take your burger from good to great!
PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS—Calling all you low-carb people out there! A hamburger bun can seriously destroy a low-carb diet, especially if you’re on a Keto plan. Instead, when you’re grilling up your burgers, lightly brush two portobello mushrooms with olive oil and toss them on the grill! It’s a tasty and healthier way to still enjoy a burger, and you won't have to basically opt for a burger salad instead of a nice sandwich!
Okay, I could go on all day about cheese, and honestly, there are very few wrong choices when it comes to which are best for hamburgers! It really comes down to your tastes, and you can get as fancy as you want with it, or can just stick to the classics. Just promise me that if you’re going to consider yourself a grill master, you’ll stay far away from processed cheese slices for your gourmet burger! Some fantastic choices include:
- Sharp cheddar
- White cheddar
- Gouda
- Provolone
- Pepper jack
- Swiss
- Colby jack
- Bleu
- Feta
- Mozzarella
- Goat cheese
Vegans, you can opt for vegan cheese substitute if you need that cheesy flavor on your burger!
This is where everyone will get the opportunity to build their own perfect burger! Oh, the possibilities are endless! You can keep it classic, or go wild with toppings! Sometimes when planning for a camping trip, it can be a lot easier to plan around a burger theme, like BBQ burgers, olive burgers, or bacon bleu burgers. Plan ahead, and if you don’t have a ton of room in your RV refrigerator, stick to something simple and delicious! Here are some toppings that are easy to bring along camping:
- Lettuce—opt for spinach for a more nutritious option!
- Tomato
- Onion—sliced, diced, caramelized, grilled
- Pickles
- Bacon—fry some up before your trip and reheat when it’s burger time!
- Avocado
- Olives
- Fried egg
- Jalapeños
- Fried/Baked onion rings
- Fried crispy onions
- Sautéed mushrooms
Honestly, whatever topping you want, go for it! The sky’s the limit!
Whether you like to keep your burgers classic or fancy them up, you just can’t go wrong with sauce either! I’m not shaming those of you who prefer a drier, plain burger, but sometimes a good sauce can make or break your burger! Try some sauces from the grocery store, or make your own for a one-of-a-kind touch that the family will love.
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- BBQ sauce
- Aeoli—kind of like a flavored mayo
- Guacamole
- Thousand Island dressing
- Ranch dressing
- Steak sauce
- Salsa
- Pesto
- Chili
Even if some of these classic sauce ideas seem boring and simple, think outside the box! Branch out from regular ketchup and mustard to gourmet ketchups, beer mustard, spicy mustard, and more! BBQ sauce doesn’t have to be the boring name-brand bottle that was on sale for 99 cents. Try a fruit-based BBQ or pick some up from a gift shop on your camping adventures and give it a try! Go for fruit salsas, and try one of the seemingly endless pesto flavors out there! It’s just too easy to make the perfect burger just the way you want it!
What do you think? Are you ready to become a grill master and construct the ultimate perfect burger? Hopefully we’ve given you some new, delectable ideas on how to dress up your tasty burgers and feast like gourmet foodies right at your campsite, even if you're out in the middle of nowhere! Pair this up with some delectable German skillet potato salad and you'll have the camping feast of a lifetime on your hands! Whew, is anyone else hungry right now, or is it just me?
Want the best RV for your camping getaways? Choose Lakeshore RV Center! We have exactly what you’re looking for, from compact pop-up trailers so you can get out and cook burgers by the lake or in the forest, as well as more upscale travel trailers and fifth wheels with outside kitchens and grills so you can sauté toppings and grill up meat easily! We even have toy haulers for sale in Muskegon available for our signature lowest prices in the nation! Shop online now or give us a call to find the perfect RV for your burger-making adventures!
What essential burger components did we miss? What can you simply not go without when making a burger? Leave us a comment below with your tasty ideas!
