• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fantabulosity logo

  • Start Here
    • About Jessica
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Me
    • Collaborate
    • Resource Page
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Appetizers
    • Desserts
      • Brownies
      • Cupcakes
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • Dessert Salads
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Salad Recipes
      • Savory Salads
      • Pasta Salads
      • Dessert Salads
    • Snacks
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Oven Baked
    • No Bake
    • Smoked Recipes
  • Entertaining
    • Holidays
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • Fourth of July
      • Mother’s Day
      • Father’s Day
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Birthday
    • Adult Themes
    • Girls Night
    • Kids
    • Gift Ideas
  • Home
    • Organization
      • Home Management Binder
      • Organize Your Life – Trello Training
      • Printables
    • Cleaning
    • “Must-Have” Products
    • DIY & Crafts
    • Decorating
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion & Beauty
      • Mom Fashion
      • Makeup + Beauty
      • Hair
      • Trunk Club
      • Kids
    • Blogging
      • Blog Mentor Services
      • How to Start a Blog Class
      • Grow Your Blog Video Course
    • Self Improvement
      • Marriage
      • Health + Fitness
      • Parenting
    • Travel
    • Family + Friends
  • Shop
    • Printables & Cookbook
    • Shop my Instagram
    • My Favorites
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start Here!
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • For the Home
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Entertain

    Burger Bar Ideas for Your Next Party

    By: Jessica · Posted: Jul 8, 2019 · Updated: Mar 10, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    This post has been sponsored by Huhtamaki, Inc. makers of the Chinet® brand. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

    Burger Bar Ideas: Toppings ideas and a food bar that you and your guests will love at your next party! Plus, a free “Burger Bar” printable download for your table!

    Burger Bar Ideas

    Burger Bar Ideas

    A burger bar has been a food bar on my “wish list” for hosting for quite some time.

    So when my cheeseburger lovin’ son’s birthday rolled around, I KNEW it was the perfect time, and now, I’m sharing it with you today so you’ll have my favorite tips and ideas to host your own!

    Have guests that aren’t eating red meat? Serve these crispy chicken burgers on your burger bar instead!

    Burger Bar Free Printable Sign

    All food bars should have a sign, right?! I love creating food labels or signs for parties and this one was no exception.

    But today, I’m sharing this free burger bar sign printable with you too, so you can download it and have your very own!

    Download your free “Burger Bar” sign here!

    Burgers for the Burger Bar

    It goes without saying, but burgers are needed for your burger bar.

    What I love about burgers for a food bar? They’re easy to make ahead of time if needed!

    Grill, bake burger or cook burgers on the stove before party time, and keep them warm in the oven while you set up the rest of the toppings!

    Burger Toppings Ideas

    Deciding on toppings was one of my favorite steps to planning this burger bar. The ideas are endless, and it’s the perfect time to experiment with fun, new toppings.

    I saw this idea on Pinterest and fell in love with it, so I had to recreate it myself!

    Here is a list of traditional toppings for burgers, along with some of my favorite out-of-the-box ideas if you have guests who love to create and taste-test!

    Burger Bar Ideas for Your Next Party

    The options are endless when it comes to burger toppings! From classic toppings such as ketchup and mustard to shaking things up by using items such as taco sauce and guacamole!

    ketchup

    Ketchup can be a staple burger topping but it's also fun to add some kick to your burger by using a spicy ketchup sauce if you can take the heat!

    mustard

    Who doesn't love mustard on a big ole juicy burger!? Regular mustard is always a favorite to offer at a party but feel free to add others to the mix, such as hot mustard, honey mustard, horseradish mustard and more!

    mayo

    Love miracle whip or mayo? That's the question of the century! Offering one or the other is a safe bet but it can also be fun to offer a fiesta mayo or "fancy sauce" using a mixture of mayo & ketchup!

    ranch dressing

    We're HUGE fans of ranch dressing, especially the buttermilk restaurant style. However, making a jalapeno ranch dressing to serve on top of burgers is HARD to beat!

    bbq sauce

    BBQ sauce isn't just for pork steaks! Slather that juicy sauce all over your burgers, whether it's on the grill while they're cooking to get a "sticky" texture or pour it over the top of a cooked burger for extra flavor!

    guacamole

    If you've never tried guacamole on a burger, I'm afraid to say you're missing out! The flavor combo of the two is a powerhouse!

    lettuce (leaf, spinach or romaine)

    That crispy, crunchy texture of a lettuce leaf on a burger is absolutely delicious! Using leaf lettuce is our favorite because of the bright color and texture, however, romaine, spinach or head lettuce is definitely acceptable!

    onions (red, yellow, white or green)

    I don't know about you but a crips onion on a burger screams summertime. Red, yellow, white, or even green onions can pack a punch in the flavor department!

    tomatoes

    Vine-ripened tomatoes can add a juicy texture to an already juicy burger! Remember...don't refrigerate your tomatoes if you can help it! Refrigerating them can really reduce the flavor.

    pickles

    Hamburger dills, bread and butter, and spicy pickles are just a few pickled cucumbers that seem to top the list when it comes to burger toppings!

    bacon

    Crispy or floppy bacon? No matter what you prefer, bacon is good on everything, especially a grilled or oven-baked juicy burger! Here's how we cook bacon in the air fryer!

    cheeses

    Sliced, shredded or cheese sauce... it's all a must on a burger if you ask me!

    Some fun cheeses to consider for burgers toppings are:

    sliced American

    sliced pepper jack

    shredded cheddar

    sliced swiss

    havarti

    queso

    pineapple

    Pineapple on pizza? Or pineapple on a burger? How about BOTH! Top your burger with a fresh slice of pineapple or even toss it on the grill first to give it a little more flavor!

    fried onions

    Fried onions aren't just for green bean casserole anymore! They can give the added crunch you're looking for!

    hot sauce

    If you can handle the heat, pour on your favorite hot sauce to give a juicy burger a "buffalo chicken" feel!

    spice blends & mixes

    There are endless amounts of spices and blends you can top your burgers with; either while they cook or to sprinkle on after.

    Some of our favorites are:

    lemon pepper

    garlic pepper

    greek seasoning

    bbq seasoning

    garlic powder

    Italian dressing mix

    fried egg

    An over-easy egg (or fried egg if you're not a fan of runny yolk) can turn a regular burger in to a breakfast (or fun dinner) that you'll NEVER forget!

    potato chips

    Potato chips aren't just a side dish anymore! Toss on your favorites under the bun and feel the "CRUNCH" that no other topping will give you! Here are some fun potato chip topping ideas:

    regular potato chips

    Doritos (like we use in the Dorito casserole)

    Funyuns

    Chili Cheese Fritos

    Sour Cream & Onion

    jalapenos

    If you love spicy, topping your burger with fresh jalapenos or even pickled or fried/breaded jalapenos are a game-changer in the burger world!

    mushrooms

    Although you can use mushrooms like portobellos on a burger, we absolutely LOVE fried mushrooms as a burger topping!

    taco sauce

    Who says Tuesday is only for tacos? I think a taco burger makes a lot of sense to switch things up during the week! Not only does adding taco sauce to a burger make it delicious, adding taco toppings to a burger can REALLY blow your tastebuds' mind!

    pizza sauce

    Have you heard of a pizza burger? It's true... it exists and it's a must-try for sure! Add pizza sauce to your burger, along with a little mozzarella cheese and if you're feeling frisky, add some pepperoni or your other favorite pizza toppings to the burger!

    How to Style a Burger Bar

    One of my favorite party styling hacks is to use items that you already have around the house.

    However, for this party, I did make a trip to the store and snagged a few items because a lot of my home decor is in storage from a recent move.

    So, before you head to the store to buy items that you won’t use any other time, “shop” your house to see if you can find things like:

    • baskets
    • trays
    • storage containers
    • jars

    Burger Side Dishes

    Although a burger bar is full of goodness already, I wanted to offer an easy side dish to serve alongside the burgers.

    French fries are my kiddo’s favorite, so french fries it was!

    Other side dish ideas for you:

    • potato chips
    • pasta salads
    • raw veggies
    • dips
    • fruit trays or kebabs

    Why Food Bars are the BEST for Parties

    With different taste buds, planning a menu for a party can be stressful.

    Will they like this? But what about the people who don’t? Are they allergic?

    …and the list of worries can go on.

    With food bars, leave the food creation up to your guests! This way, they get to choose what they put on their plate and what to serve it with!

    Plus, food bars are easy to set up and most ingredients can be made beforehand, leaving more time for you, the host, to mingle and relax!

    Outdoor Backyard BBQ

    There are MANY perks when it comes to outdoor entertaining.

    Find a shady tree, some lawn chairs, (maybe some water toys for the kids), grab a table and fill it with your favorite foods!

    Your guests will love the relaxed atmosphere and the ease of coming and going… while kiddos run around (without tearing up the inside of your house) and the adults can catch up with friends!

    What is YOUR Favorite Food Bar?

    I have a few other food bar ideas up my sleeve (baked potato, s’mores, waffle bars) but I’d love to hear what ideas you have. I may just have to put that on my list!

    Grab the Chinet Classic White line and host your own backyard BBQ today! For more ideas and inspiration, visit MyChinet.com!

    More Entertain

    • Pop-Up Dinner – Backyard Party
    • 30th Birthday Party Ideas for Men
    • Ice Cream Party Decorations, Treats & Theme Ideas
    • Nautical Birthday Party – AHOY MATE!

    Filed Under: Adult Themes, Dinner Recipes, Entertain, Girls Night, Recipes

    Get my 5 Secrets to Get Dinner on the Table FAST!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. maggie says

      May 20, 2020 at 3:36 am

      Where did you find the cute wood pedestal sign holder please?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        May 21, 2020 at 6:41 am

        Hi Maggie! I found that at Home Goods a few years ago. So although they probably don’t have that one anymore, they usually have some really cute frames! I hope that helps!

        Reply
    2. Deb says

      July 03, 2020 at 4:38 am

      Love the idea. I used to do breakfast bars all the time. They work out great and everyone gets what they like.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 08, 2020 at 10:44 am

        YES! Food bars are super easy and so fun!!

        Reply
    3. Lisa Battis says

      July 16, 2020 at 6:19 am

      Fun idea! I’m planning my first outdoor movie night with fam & friends and this burger bar is the perfect inspiration for me! Thank you, Jessica!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 17, 2020 at 3:11 pm

        Aww, thank you for dropping a sweet note! So glad that you found this helpful!

        Reply
    4. Pam says

      July 15, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      You have the very best ideas and recipes!! I’m anxious to try the baked burgers!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 15, 2021 at 2:49 pm

        Awww thank you so much Pam! I appreciate that. I hope you loved the baked burgers as much as we do!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Fantabulosity Blog: Lifestyle, Easy Recipes, Home Management

    Hi, I'm Jessica! Are you ready to add simplicity to your busy life? Here you'll find easy recipes, organization hacks, home & entertaining ideas...

    More about me →

    Summer Favorites

    • Strawberry Brownies Recipe
    • Shrimp Macaroni Salad
    • The BEST Oreo Dessert
    • Easy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Popular Recipes

    • The BEST Hamburgers in the Oven – Gone VIRAL!
    • Bread Pudding Recipe: Easy Old Fashioned Recipe (With Video!)
    • Baked BBQ Pork Steaks Recipe in the Oven
    • The BEST Side Salad Recipe
    • The BEST Fried Shrimp Recipe
    • Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

    Fantabulosity Blog Featured On Media

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Jessica
    • Contact
    • Collaborate
    • 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Easy Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Desserts

    How to Cook

    • Oven-Baked
    • Stove-Top
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot

    Privacy Policy |Accessibility Copyright © 2022 Fantabulosity | Terms & Conditions | FTC