Not Just Beef: Award Winning Gourmet Burger Recipes for Labor Day

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When it comes to cookouts, the burger is king. According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, burgers are the star of outdoor grilling, appearing at 82% of all cookouts and outdoor parties. (Grilled steak, chicken, and hot dogs follow burgers in descending order of popularity.)

(You can find out more about cooking foods other than hamburgers on your grill, smoker, or fire pit in our related NowPublic article, Brush Up On Your Grilling Skills in Time for Labor Day Weekend. Also, please see the video above if you'd like to learn about a great tip for cooling cans of soda or beer in a hurry for a party.)

Although the most popular holidays for barbecuing are July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, 58% of those who own a BBQ grill choose to cook outdoors year round (a statistic I’m glad to be a part of), so you know there’s a whole lot of grilling going on.

But whenever you grill, especially for a holiday, party, or family gathering, you want the burgers you cook to be special, memorable, and delicious.

Below are 18 recipes for a wide variety of gourmet burgers from the Grand Prize Winners of The Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest that will help you do just that.

Enjoy!

18 Grand Prize Winning Gourmet Burger Recipes from The Build a Better Burger Contest

• 2008 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Winner:
  Hawaii Da Kine Burgers With Sweet-Chili Glaze, Ginger-Goat Cheese Spread, and Hot Watercress Salad Recipe

• 2007 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Sweet Hot Thai Burger Recipe

• 2006 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Born in Berkeley Burger Recipe (a.k.a. Bacon Cheeseburgers with Aged Teleme, Arugula-Fig Topping, Pepper Bacon, and Lemon-Grilled Fennel)

• 2005 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Red Fez Sweet and Spicy Burger Recipe

• 2004 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Grilled Avocado BLT Burger Recipe

• 2003 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  My Big Fat Greco-Inspired Burger Recipe

• 2002 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Vitello Focaccia Burger Recipe

• 2001 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Soy-Glazed Salmon Burger with Ginger Lime Aioli Recipe

• 2000 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Hawaiian Tuna Burger with Maui Wowee Salsa Recipe

• 1999 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Down Island Burger with Mango Mayo & Grilled Onions Recipe

• 1998 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Carolina Pork Barbecue Burger Recipe

• 1997 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Siciliano Burger with Fresh Ciliegine and Sweet Tomato Butter Recipe

• 1996 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Mulligatawny Burger Recipe

• 1995 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Chicken Oriental Burgers With Grilled Shiitake Recipe

• 1994 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Portobello Burger Recipe

• 1993 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Gingered-Beef Burger Recipe

• 1991 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Lamburgers àla Grecque With Cilantro-Mint Chutney Recipe

• 1990 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Napa Valley Basil-Smoked Burger Recipe

Looking for more Labor Day (or party cooking) inspiration? Follow @huggingthecoast today for helpful recipes & tips from Huggingthecoast.com & others as part of our special Labor Day Weekend Hourly Twitter Marathon!

--Doug DuCap/ Hugging the Coast