Monster Burgers
These Monster Burgers are a fun and easy Halloween dinner, turning juicy, classic cheeseburgers into delicious and spooky creations the whole family will love to decorate and eat all season long.
Halloween is one of the best times to get creative in the kitchen, and these Monster Burgers have become a fun, tasty tradition for family dinner during spooky season. They start with basic burger ingredients, and the kids love to help build and decorate their own — it’s a great way to get the whole family involved (and laughing!) and no two monsters ever turn out the same because they’re so easy to customize.
These Halloween-ready cheeseburgers get dressed up with jagged provolone “teeth”, a pickle “tongue”, and green olive “eyeballs”, for a playful way to transform your average burger night into a spooky Halloween meal that gets everyone involved. These Monster Burgers are easy to make with simple pantry and fridge staples, and they’re a hit with kids and adults alike. Whether you serve them for a Halloween party, dinner before trick-or-treating, or a weekend snack, these Monster Burgers are sure to be the most fun bite during spooky season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Weeknight Burger Night: Using simple, basic burger ingredients and pantry staples you already have, any night can be burger night.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: With silly olive eyeballs and cheesy teeth, every bite is playful with these burgers. Kids can’t get enough!
- Easy To Customize: Just like regular burgers, these are easily customizable with your favorite burger toppings, or shortcuts like frozen patties. Use your family’s favorites, and whatever you have on hand.
- Festive Holiday Meal and Fun Tradition: This meal doubles as dinner and as a fun holiday memory — these monster burgers are one of our families favorite activities, dinners and traditions once spooky season hits. They’re fun and filling on busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- Brioche Buns: Buttery and soft, use your favorite store-bought or bakery version.
- Burger Patties: Homemade or store-bought work great.
- Lettuce: Crisp and refreshing, we like romaine, iceberg or Bibb.
- Tomato: Thick juicy slices are perfect on a burger.
- Pickles: Tangy and briny for the monster “tongue”.
- Provolone Cheese: The cheesy, melty “teeth”.
- Burger Sauce: Use your favorite homemade or store-bought variety. A creamy mix of mayo, ketchup and mustard works nicely for the classic burger condiment.
- Ketchup: Tomatoey and and tangy for the festive extra “bloody” detail.
- Green Olives: These with some toothpicks are perfect for the spooky “eyes”.
How To Make Monster Burgers
- Cook the burgers: Grill, pan-fry, or bake patties until fully cooked.
- Build the base: Place lettuce on the bottom bun, then add the burger patty.
2. Add the monster face:
- Layer tomato slices and your favorite burger sauce.
- Add a pickle slice hanging out like a tongue.
- Place a slice of provolone with the edges cut jagged to look like sharp teeth.
3. Finish the look: Top with the brioche bun. Use toothpicks to secure two green olives on top as the monster’s “eyes.”
4. Serve & spook: Drizzle with a little ketchup for a dramatic effect and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Cut Cheese Teeth in Advance: Cut the provolone in teeth shape before assembling so they’re ready to place right onto the warm patty immediately.
- Use Pre-Cooked Patties: If you’re short on time, use pre-cooked patties from the store, shredded lettuce, and pre-sliced cheese — these are great shortcuts to make the process quicker, and all the fun is in the assembly anyways!
- Let The Kids “Decorate”: Have everyone get in on the fun — the kids can help “decorate” their own monster burgers at the table with their favorite toppings and condiments.
- Use Toothpicks for the Olive Eyes: Secure the “eyes” with a toothpick pushed all the way through both olives so they stay put on top of the bun
Variations & Substitutions
- Cheesy Jack-O’-Lanterns: Try swapping provolone for cheddar, and cut tiny triangle teeth for a pumpkin-like grin
- Mini Monster Sliders: Use smaller slider buns and matching size mini patties for a party platter.
- Spicy Monsters: Add jalapeños (fresh or pickled) or a dash of hot sauce for adults who like heat and an extra kick.
- Veggie Version: Skip the meat all together and try black bean burgers or portobello mushrooms for a plant-based twist.
- Make Silly Eyes: Swap the olives for baby mozzarella balls with a dot of black olive in the center for a silly, googly eye look.
Watch How to Make Halloween Monster Burgers
Storage & Reheating
These burgers are best assembled and served fresh, but if needed, you can store leftover cooked patties separately in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days and reassemble with fresh toppings before serving.
Store leftover burger toppings and components separately in the fridge in airtight containers until you’re ready to build fresh burgers and serve again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Definitely. Pre shaped frozen patties can definitely save time. Cook them in advance to save even more time, or cook them right before building, so they’re ready to go when you need them.
Use any favorite cheese you’d like — cheddar, swiss, or pepper jack slices can all be cut into mini triangles or “teeth” shapes.
Absolutely! Go plant-based with veggie, black bean or mushroom patties. Or try turkey or chicken burgers for something slightly lighter.
Use toothpicks! Be sure the toothpicks go all the way through each olive to fully secure them to the bun.
More Festive Halloween Recipes
Monster Burgers
Ingredients
- 4 brioche buns
- 4 beef burger patties homemade or store-bought
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 pickle slices for “tongues”
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 4 tomato slices
- 2 Tbsp burger sauce or mayo/ketchup/mustard mix
- Ketchup optional, for “bloody” detail
- 8 green olives
- 4 toothpicks
Instructions
- Cook burger patties on the grill or stovetop until fully cooked.
- Slice provolone cheese into jagged edges to look like monster “teeth.”
- Place lettuce on the bottom half of each brioche bun. Top with a burger patty.
- Add tomato slices, burger sauce, and a pickle slice hanging out like a monster’s tongue.
- Place the provolone “teeth” on the burger, then add ketchup if desired.
- Top with the brioche bun.
- Push a toothpick through two green olives and stick them on top of each bun for monster “eyes.”
- Serve immediately and enjoy your spooky creation!
Video
Notes
- If needed, you can store leftover cooked patties separately in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days and reassemble with fresh toppings before serving.
- Store leftover burger toppings and components separately in the fridge in airtight containers until you’re ready to build fresh burgers and serve again.
