9 Kitchen, Pantry & Grill Essentials You Need to Make a Truly Excellent Burger

Few things taste like summer more than biting into a freshly grilled, fully loaded, burger. The bun is buttery, the toppings are piled high (unless you're more of a minimalistic burger connoisseur and keep things simple or plain), and you know you'll be going back for seconds.

If you're typically the one enjoying the burgers and never behind the grill, you might wonder how the mouthwatering backyard dinner staples come to be. It's not magic or a skill that has to be passed down through generations—anyone can make a truly excellent burger with the right tools.

To help, we've pulled together nine kitchen and grill tools, along with a seasoning collection and a few of our favorite burger recipes worth trying. You'll be confidently flipping burgers in no time.

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1. Food52 x Rosti Ultimate Melamine Mixing Bowl, $55

You'll need a place to season your ground meat of choice and this Ultimate Melamine Mixing Bowl is a great option. It's big enough—it can hold up to six liters—to comfortably keep all of the spices, condiments, and meat (or non-animal protein) safely in the bowl. Plus, it's made of durable melamine, meaning it'll survive any accidental tumbles off of the counter or prep area.

2. KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment, $99

If you prefer to grind your own meat instead of buying pre-ground from the grocery store or butcher, you'll want this stand mixer attachment in your kitchen. It lets you prep next-level burgers, sausages, meatballs, and more from any cut of meat, and can also grind things like cauliflower rice, salsa, falafel, Parmesan flakes, and breadcrumbs. It works with any KitchenAid stand mixer and includes a metal food grinder, a removable food tray, three grinding plates (fine, medium, and coarse), a cleaning brush, a food pusher, two sausage stuffer tubes (small and large), and a sausage stuffer plate.

3. The Spice House Barbecue Seasoning Collection, $35+

Try out different burger flavors with this collection of barbecue seasonings. Available as a set of four or eight, you'll have a bundle of grill-ready flavors to choose from. The Barbecue Collection comes with Brisket of Love Barbecue Rub, Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, Bronzeville Southern Rib Rub, and Chipotle Garlic Barbecue Blend. The Barbecue Deluxe Collection comes with those four blends, plus four more: Louisiana Creole Blend, Old Quebec Butcher’s Rub, Kansas City Barbecue Rub, and the Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper Butcher’s Rub.

4. Le Creuset Cast-Iron Grill Pan, 9.5", $175 $100

If you want grill lines without needing to fire up the grill, Le Creuset's got you covered. This grill pan has high ridges to help get that picture-perfect sear and avoids overly greasy bites by letting excess fat and grease drip down below. The cast iron distributes and retains heat like a champ—meaning an even cook every time—and the enameled surface means there’s no need for seasoning the cast iron before the first use.

5. Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill, $199 $159

Do you believe a coal-fired grill is the key to an impeccable burger? Grab yourself one of these portable charcoal grills. It's compact enough to tag along on your next camping trip or outdoor adventure, cleans up easily, and even has a handy storage tray and bamboo prep board that nestles right on top.

6. Burger Press, $45

There are three types of burger fans: Those who want a thick, steakhouse-style burger, those who want a fast-food-style smash burger, and those who don't care as long as it tastes good. If you're part of the middle group—meaning you like a burger patty that's been smashed down to be a little thinner, crispier, and more stackable—you'll want to have a burger press nearby. This kind of grill tool allows you to get the burger size and thickness you desire. This specific press has a large press and ring for classic ½-pound burgers, plus a smaller one for bite-size ¼-pound sliders. It even has the option of stuffing your patties—just stack both presses together to create a well for your cheese of choice.

7. Hamburger Turner With Walnut Handle, $54

With a stiff, beveled blade that's ideal for easy scooping and flipping, this stainless-steel turner is perfect for burgers.

8. Outdoor Net Food Cover, $28

Keep bugs, dust, and dirt out of your fresh-off-the-grill patties with the help of this food cover. Exclusive to our Shop, these lightweight, mesh sheets are easy to fold up and carry. Just drape one over a plate or bowl, and the cloth will protect your food while still letting guests see what’s underneath. Even better? Each sheet has weighted corners to help combat any sudden gusts of wind or breezy days.

9. Classic Enamel Burger Trays, Set of 4, $88+

Once those delicious burgers are ready to be taken off of the grill, they'll need a place to rest while they wait to be stacked on your bun of choice and loaded up with toppings. These burger trays are made of porcelain enamel, are safe for use with oven, stovetop, grill, and campfire, and can even be used as a small pan for baking and roasting in the oven.

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Do you have any burger-grilling tips and tricks? Let us know below!