Looking to level up your burger night with bold garlic flavor and crispy, buttery bread? These Garlic Toast Burgers are the ultimate comfort food mashup — juicy burger patties nestled between golden garlic toast instead of traditional buns. And the best part? You can get big flavor with a simple pantry staple: garlic powder.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, backyard BBQs, or game-day gatherings, this easy recipe is a flavorful twist on the classic hamburger that your whole family will love.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make homemade garlic toast burgers:
For the Garlic Toast:
- 8 slices of thick white bread or Texas toast
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley (optional)
- Pinch of salt
For the Burger Patties:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Optional Toppings:
- Sliced cheddar or American cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Pickles
- Grilled onions
- Ketchup, mayo, or garlic aioli
How to Make Garlic Toast Burgers?
1. Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, garlic powder, salt, and dried parsley. Spread the mixture evenly on one side of each bread slice. This will create that classic garlic toast flavor when grilled.
2. Prepare the Burger Patties
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently—just enough to combine. Form into 4 equal patties.
3. Grill or Pan-Fry the Burgers
Heat a skillet or grill to medium-high heat. Cook each patty for about 3–4 minutes per side, or until it reaches your preferred doneness. Add cheese slices during the last minute of cooking if desired.
4. Toast the Garlic Bread
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the buttered bread slices butter-side down and toast for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and toast the other side for about 1 minute to warm through.
5. Assemble the Garlic Toast Burgers
Layer one slice of garlic toast (buttered side out), a hot burger patty, and your favorite toppings. Top with another slice of garlic toast and press gently. Slice in half for easier handling—or devour it whole!
Why Use Garlic Powder Instead of Fresh Garlic?
Using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic gives you:
- Consistent flavor: Garlic powder distributes evenly in both the burger patties and butter mix.
- Long shelf life: Great for pantry storage.
- No burning: Garlic powder won’t burn in a hot skillet like fresh minced garlic can.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for an easy way to make homemade burgers stand out, garlic toast burgers are the way to go. Using garlic powder in both the burger and the bread adds deep, savory flavor without the fuss of peeling or mincing garlic. It’s a budget-friendly pantry ingredient that packs a punch.
So grab your skillet, fire up the grill, and treat yourself to a burger experience that’s anything but ordinary.