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I Set Up a Burger Bar for 20 People and Nobody Wanted to Leave
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items Hosting a cookout where everyone argues about what goes on a burger is exhausting. Last Fourth of July I finally cracked it. Set up a DIY burger bar with every topping, patty, bun, and sauce laid out so people just build their own. Zero complaints, z...
Sections
8
Burger Patties and Proteins That Hold Up on the Grill
Buns That Don't Disintegrate Mid-Bite
Cheese Selection Because One Slice Isn't Enough Options
Fresh Toppings That Make People Actually Customize
Sauces and Condiments Because Ketchup Alone Is a Crime
Crispy Sides to Fill the Rest of the Plate
Burger Patties and Proteins That Hold Up on the Grill
Half my guests wanted beef, two wanted turkey, one wanted plant-based. I used to just grill plain beef and hope for the best. Now I stock three options and everybody shuts up and eats happy.
Grab these if you need a solid no-fuss patty for a crowd. I grilled 20 of them last summer and not a single one fell apart through the grate. Your wallet will thank you too.
Great Value 100% Pure Beef Burgers, 85% Lean, 3 lbs
Keep a box in the freezer for spontaneous cookouts. My neighbor showed up unannounced with six friends once and these went from frozen to plate in 12 minutes flat.
Bubba Burger® Original 100% USDA Choice Chuck Beef
Toss these on the grill for the one friend who went plant-based in January. My meat-eating brother grabbed one by accident and didn't even notice until someone told him.
Impossible Foods Burger Patties Meat from Plants
Use these for anyone watching their calories but still wanting to participate. My sister dropped 30 pounds and said these were the only burger she didn't feel guilty about.
All Natural* 100% White Meat Turkey Burger
Snag a big box when you're feeding a mixed crowd on a budget. They cook evenly, season well, and nobody at my last party could tell they weren't the pricier brand.
Our Finest Frozen Lean Turkey Burgers 8x128g, 8 x 128 g
For the person at your party who asks “is there anything I can eat?” before even looking at the table. Grill marks show up perfectly and the texture actually convinces people.
Beyond Meat Beyond Burger Plant-Based Patties 6 Pk, 24 oz
Switch to these if you want that steakhouse-quality thickness without hand-forming 30 patties yourself. I shaped burgers by hand exactly once and swore never again.
Sam's Choice Angus Seasoned Beef Patties
Buns That Don't Disintegrate Mid-Bite
Nothing ruins a burger faster than a soggy bun that splits in half while someone's holding it over their plate. I tested five brands at one cookout and only kept the ones that survived loaded toppings.
Try these once and you'll never go back to generic buns. They're soft but somehow hold together even when my cousin piles on four toppings and drowns everything in sauce.
Martin's Potato Sandwich Rolls, Fresh 3.5 inch Buns
Pair these with a smash patty and you'll feel like you're at a restaurant. The slight sweetness against salty beef is the combo that made my friend ask if I took a cooking class.
Nature's Own, Brioche Style Hamburger Buns, 8 Count
Keep these on hand for big crowds where you need quantity without spending $8 on fancy bread. They toast up nicely and hold ketchup without turning into mush.
Great Value White Hamburger Buns, 11 oz, 8 Count
Grab the big pack before a game day party. They're wider than most buns, which means toppings actually stay inside instead of sliding onto everyone's paper plate.
Ball Park Tailgaters Sesame Buns, 8 count, 21 oz
Use these for anyone who wants something softer. My grandmother picked these over every other option because she said they reminded her of homemade bread.
Customer reviews for Sara Lee Artesano Original Bread
Toss these on the table for your low-carb friend who usually just eats the patty with a fork. She actually teared up a little when she saw I remembered. Not kidding.
Keto Culture Hamburger Buns, 12 oz, 8 Count
Swap to these when you want to impress without doing any extra work. The texture is slightly sturdier, so they handle double-stacked patties without collapsing.
Pepperidge Farm Sesame Topped Hamburger Buns
Cheese Selection Because One Slice Isn't Enough Options
The cheese argument at my house got so heated one Thanksgiving that I started buying four kinds minimum. Now people just grab what they want and I stay out of it entirely.
For the purist who wants that classic melty orange layer. My 8-year-old won't eat a burger without this exact cheese and honestly I respect his commitment.
Kraft Singles American Slices, 24 Count Pack - Cheese
Snag these for anyone who says American cheese isn't real cheese. Sharp enough to actually taste through all the other toppings, which is the whole point.
Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese Block, 16 oz
Try layering two of these on a patty right off the grill. They melt into this creamy blanket in about 10 seconds. My brother-in-law switched from cheddar permanently after trying this.
Sargento, Ultra Thin Provolone with Smoke Flavor Sliced
Keep these for the spice lovers at the table. One friend puts pepper jack AND jalapenos on his burger and then complains it's too hot. Every single time.
Kraft Singles Pepper Jack Slices, 16 Count Pack - Cheese
Toss a handful on top of a hot patty for that steakhouse vibe. Fair warning, about half your guests will love it and the other half will look at you like you lost your mind.
Frigo Crumbled Blue Cheese, 5 oz Refrigerated Plastic Cup
Use these when you want something a little smoky without adding actual smoked toppings. They melt slower than American, so put them on the patty while it's still on the grill.
Kraft Cheese Slices
Grab this from the deli counter if you want that diner-style melt without the bright orange color. Melts like a dream and tastes way better than it has any right to for the price.
Shop White American Cheeses Online
Fresh Toppings That Make People Actually Customize
I learned the hard way that if you only put out lettuce and tomato, people just stare at the table. The second I added pickled onions and avocado, suddenly everyone became a burger architect.
Swap out iceberg for these. They actually have a crunch that survives sitting on a hot patty, which iceberg absolutely does not. Learned that lesson at my July cookout.
Marketside Organic Fresh Romaine Lettuce Hearts, 3 Pack
Get the smaller ones and slice them thick. Regular beefsteak tomatoes are too watery and they make the bun soggy before anyone takes a second bite.
Campari® - SUNSET Grown. All rights reserved.
Lay these out raw for the brave and grilled for everyone else. Five minutes on the grill turns them sweet and caramelized, which converted my onion-hating husband.
Customer reviews for Fresh Whole Red Onion, Each
Snag the individual cups so people can squeeze their own portion. No double-dipping drama, no browning bowl on the table, and kids think the little packets are fun.
WHOLLY ® GUACAMOLE Classic Guacamole Minis
Pour these into a jar with tongs and watch them disappear. My dad eats them straight out of the container before a single burger is even assembled. Every time.
Mt. Olive Hamburger Dill Pickle Chips - 16 fl oz jar
Slice them thin and lay them out for the heat seekers. Pro tip: wear gloves. I cut 20 of these barehanded once and then touched my eye. Do not recommend.
Fresh Thai Chile Peppers, 4 oz, Bold Heat for Recipes
Try putting a handful right on the burger instead of as a side. The crunch and slight sweetness with a beef patty is something I stole from a food truck and never looked back.
Marketside Tri-Color Cole Slaw, 16 oz Bag (Fresh)
Sauces and Condiments Because Ketchup Alone Is a Crime
My sauce station started with three bottles and now it's basically a whole table. People spend more time picking sauces than actually grilling. That's how I know it works.
Keep the big squeeze bottle out because someone will use half of it on three burgers. My uncle treats ketchup like a beverage and I've stopped questioning it.
Tomato Ketchup with a Blend of Veggies
Pair this with pickles and onions for the old-school crowd. My dad has eaten the same burger combo since 1987 and he's not changing now, so this stays on the table.
French's Kosher Classic Yellow Mustard, 14.0 oz Squeeze
Try this instead of mixing mayo and ketchup yourself. Tastes like the secret sauce from your favorite burger joint. I stopped making my own the day I found this bottle.
Sir Kensington's Mayonnaise, Special Sauce, 12 oz
Use this as your base layer on the bottom bun. It creates a moisture barrier so the juices don't soak through. A restaurant cook friend taught me that trick.
Heinz [Seriously] Good Mayonnaise, Regular
Bring this out for the friend who puts hot sauce on literally everything. It's fruity before it's spicy, so even people who don't love heat end up trying a drop.
Customer reviews for Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce, 6.7 oz
Brush this on patties during the last minute of grilling. That caramelized sticky layer is what made my neighbor's kid say my burgers were better than his dad's. Awkward but true.
Sweet Baby Ray's® Original Barbecue Sauce 18 oz
Snag a jar for anyone who wants pickle flavor without the texture. It's slightly spicy and sweet, which sounds weird until you try it on a cheeseburger and then you get it.
Wickles Original Relish, 16 fl oz Jar
Crispy Sides to Fill the Rest of the Plate
Nobody wants a burger sitting alone on a plate. These sides take five minutes or less and they round out the spread without me standing over a stove while everyone else is outside having fun.
Throw these in the oven 20 minutes before burgers hit the grill. They come out crispier than most restaurant fries, which honestly annoyed me because I used to cut my own.
Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries French Fried Frozen
Toss these on a sheet pan for the person who says regular fries are “too heavy.” They crisp up perfectly and the slight sweetness pairs really well with a spicy burger.
Alexia Sweet Potato Crinkle Cut Fries, Sea Salt and Black
Pour a bag into a big bowl for easy grabbing. The crunch is louder than conversation, which I appreciate when my family starts debating politics at the table.
Cape Cod Potato Chips, Original Kettle Chips, 14 oz Party
Warm a can on the stove and set it out with a ladle. Takes three minutes and suddenly your burger bar looks like a legit backyard BBQ spread instead of just burgers on a table.
Bush's Original Baked Beans, Canned Beans, 28 oz Can
Microwave a bag and put it in a bowl with butter. My kids eat more corn than burger at these things, which honestly I'm fine with. Vegetables are vegetables.
Birds Eye Frozen Sweet Corn 10 oz Steamfresh
Grab two of these for the guest who needs something green to feel balanced. They'll eat the salad AND the burger, and everyone's happy. Takes zero effort on your end.
Marketside Caesar Salad with Chicken, 12.1 oz Tray (Fresh)
Set these next to the plain chips for the spice people. They always migrate together anyway, so you might as well give them their own station and let them bond over burning mouths.
Lay's Jalapeno Kettle Cooked Potato Chips Bag, 8 oz
Drinks That Actually Pair With Burgers
I used to just throw a cooler of random drinks outside and call it done. Then someone brought craft root beer to a cookout and I realized the right drink makes the whole meal hit different.
Keep these ice cold in a tub. Nothing pairs with a greasy cheeseburger like a cold Coke, and I will argue with anyone who disagrees. This is the hill I'm on.
Coca-Cola Classic Soda Pop, 12 fl oz Cans, 12 Pack
Grab a few bottles for the sparkling water crowd. The fizz cuts through all that cheese and beef grease, and the glass bottles make your setup look fancier than it actually is.
Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water Glass Bottles, 12 fl oz
Try one of these with a loaded bacon cheeseburger. The sweetness and vanilla notes hit completely different than regular soda. My friend who doesn't drink alcohol says these are his beer equivalent.
IBC Root Beer Made with Sugar Glass Bottles, 12 Fl Oz
Pour this over ice in a big pitcher and throw some lemon slices in. Took me two minutes and three people asked if I made it from scratch. I smiled and changed the subject.
Simply Lemonade Bottle, 52 fl oz
Stock the cooler with these for the crowd that wants a beer but doesn't want anything that competes with the food. Light, cold, easy. Nobody's ever complained.
Bud Light American Light Lager Beer 12 Pack 12 fl oz
Snag a pack for the friend who says Bud Light isn't a real beer. The slight malt sweetness actually works really well with spicy toppings and pepper jack.
Modelo Especial Mexican Lager Beer, 12pk 12 fl. oz.
Set these out for the Southern transplant at your party. My Georgia-born coworker almost cried when she saw sweet tea at a cookout in Wisconsin. Small gestures matter.
Gold Peak Black Sweet Tea Bottles, 16.9 fl oz, 6 Pack
Setup and Serving Gear So You're Not Washing Dishes Until Midnight
First burger bar I threw, I used real plates and spent 45 minutes doing dishes while everyone else watched the game. Never again. Disposable and smart serving gear changed everything.
Use the heavy duty ones or your burger will fold the plate in half and dump toppings on someone's shoes. Learned that one the expensive way when sauce hit my neighbor's new sneakers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dixie® Paper Products
Grab these instead of red Solo cups if you want things to look a little nicer without actual glassware. They hold up to ice and nobody accidentally grabs the wrong drink.
Chinet Crystal® 9 oz Premium Strength Clear Disposable
Line your grill and your serving trays with this. Cleanup goes from 30 minutes to literally rolling up the foil and tossing it. Future you will be so grateful.
REYNOLDS WRAP, Aluminum Foil, Heavy Duty
Stick these under aluminum trays to keep toppings and sides warm outside. Without them, everything goes cold in 20 minutes and people start microwaving burgers indoors. Don't let that happen.
Sterno Ethanol Gel Fuel, 2.25-Hour Burn
Use these to prep and store toppings the night before. Clear lids so you can see what's inside without opening everything. Saved me 30 minutes of morning panic before my last cookout.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container
Swap your old cracked plastic board for this. It's big enough to slice all your tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos without running out of space. Looks good on the table too.
Destination Washington Cutting Board, 15-1/2" x 10"
Pour your sauces and condiments into these instead of leaving squeeze bottles everywhere. It looks intentional, people use spoons instead of squeezing too much, and cleanup is just a rinse.
Ball, Glass Mason Jars, Wide Mouth, 16 oz, Pack of 12