How to Make Monster Burger for Halloween?

Halloween is knocking, and you know what that means - it’s time to make some fun, creative, spooky recipes! While Halloween is all about candy, you can’t send your kids out trick-or-treating on an empty stomach. Instead of those run-of-the-mill hot dogs, why not try these festive monster burgers? They’re a delightful treat for anyone who enjoys a playful twist on their meals. Even if it’s not Halloween, you can still make these monster burgers any time of the year, as they’re super cute and kid-friendly!

Ingredients:

For the Monster Patties:

• 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the Monster Makeover:

• 4 burger buns
• 8 leaves baby romaine lettuce
• 8 mini mozzarella balls
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Cheddar cheese
• Pickle slices

Equipment:

• INKBIRD Meat Thermometer
• Large mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Sharpe knife
• Cast-iron skillet
• 8 toothpicks

Why Make This Monster Burger for Halloween?

Look, you could just make a normal burger. But where’s the fun in that? I still remember the first time I presented this outrageous monster burger at our Halloween dinner. The kids were so excited, and the pure joy on their faces when they saw these edible creatures was priceless.

You can also get your kids involved in the kitchen by letting them customize their own monster faces. Getting kids to eat anything can be a battlefield, but when the food looks like a monster, it becomes an adventure they want to partake in.

The best part is that once you’ve made the basic burgers, you can let your imagination run wild and customize them to any festive variations, like a one-eyed Cyclops burger, a spider burger with fry legs, or a fuzzy werewolf with onion strings.

If you like something more spooky, you should try my Halloween Mummy Meatloaf Recipe. On the other hand, if you prefer a more traditional option, check out the Hot Dog Mummies Recipe.

How to Make Monster Burgers?

Using pre-made patties can definitely save you some time and energy, but I promise that making your own patties brings a burst of flavor and juiciness that store-bought ones just can’t match. Plus, the process is quite simple. Basically, as long as you can mix the ingredients well, you’re good to go. So, let’s get started on how to make your own patties first.

Step 1: Make the Monster Base - the Patties

In your mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Use your hands to mix all the ingredients gently, but don’t overdo it, as this will make your patties dry and tough. 

Then, form the mixture into four patties. They should be slightly larger than your burger buns since they will shrink while cooking. Also, you should make an indentation in the center of each to prevent them from puffing up too much.

Step 2: Cook the Patties

You can cook the patties either in a skillet or on the grill. For skillet cooking, heat it over medium-high and sear the patties for about 5 minutes on each side. If you prefer grilled burger, set your grill to 400°F and cook the patties over direct heat for the same 5 minutes per side.

Whichever method you choose, make sure to use an INKBIRD Meat Thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), which is the USDA-recommended safe minimum for ground meat.

Step 3: Assemble the Monster Burgers

This is your chance to get creative. If you prefer a slightly charred, buttery bun, a quick buttering in a skillet or toaster for a minute does the trick. After that, I spread a bit of mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise on the patty, then layer on some pickles, cheddar cheese slices, and two leaves of lettuce. For a fun twist, you can cut the pickles or cheese into tooth shapes for a more realistic look.

For the eyes, I like to use cheese balls, though you can use cored olives - my kids are all about the cheese. Just secure them to the top bun with toothpicks, and you can even add a squirt of ketchup for pupils or to create a gory look. Anyway, it’s your burger, so feel free to add whatever you like!

How Long to Cook Burger Patties?

Cooking times for patties can vary due to differences in thickness and pan heat, so it’s more reliable to check the internal temperature instead of just timing them. While the USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F (71°C) to kill harmful bacteria, if you're serving adults and prefer a juicier, more tender texture more like a medium-rare steak, you might want to consider the temperature chart below for guidance.

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4-Probe Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer

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Tips for Perfect Halloween Monster Burger

• Do not overmix the ingredients or the patties will become dry and tough.
• Do not press down on the patties while cooking or all the juice will run out.
• Have all your monster parts chopped and ready to go before you start assembling.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure safe internal temperatures, especially for kids.
• Remove patties from the heat 5 degrees below as they will keep cooking when resting.
• Do not put cheese directly on the warm patty as it will melt and affect the teeth shape.
• Let the burgers rest before serving to help the juices settle.
• Get the family involved, letting everyone create their own unique monster burger.

Creative Monster Burger Variations

Once you've nailed the basic burger, decorating is a breeze. You can even change a different theme each year. Here are some of my ideas:

• The Cyclops Burger: Place one giant mozzarella slice with a large olive pupil right in the center of the bun.
• The Zombie Burger: Use a green-tinted bun and add rotting bits of lettuce and tomato.
• The Frankens Burger: Use green cheese for the skin and top with rectangular cheese slices to resemble stitches.
• The Swamp Thing: Add green food coloring to your mayo or guacamole for a slimy swamp sauce and use onion strings for seaweed.
• The Spider Burger: Use pretzel sticks or skinny french fries for legs.
• The Vampire Burger: Use sharp, white cheddar triangles for fangs and a red pepper tongue.