When it comes to cookouts, the burger is king. According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, burgers are the star of outdoor grilling, appearing at 82% of all cookouts and outdoor parties. (Grilled steak, chicken, and hot dogs follow burgers in descending order of popularity.)

You can find out more about cooking foods other than hamburgers on your grill, smoker, or fire pit in our helpful article, Summertime, Where the Grilling (and Outdoor Cooking) is Easy.

Although the most popular holidays for barbecuing are July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, 58% of those who own a BBQ grill choose to cook outdoors year round (a statistic I’m glad to be a part of), so you know there’s a whole lot of grilling going on.

But whenever you grill, especially for a holiday, party, or family gathering, you want the burgers you cook to be special, memorable, and delicious.

Below are 18 recipes for a wide variety of gourmet burgers from the Grand Prize Winners of The Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest that will help you do just that. (The judge of a gourmet burger cooking contest…now there’s a delicious job!)

Enjoy!

• 2008 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Winner:
  Hawaii Da Kine Burgers With Sweet-Chili Glaze, Ginger-Goat Cheese Spread, and Hot Watercress Salad Recipe

• 2007 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Sweet Hot Thai Burger Recipe

• 2006 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Born in Berkeley Burger Recipe (a.k.a. Bacon Cheeseburgers with Aged Teleme, Arugula-Fig Topping, Pepper Bacon, and Lemon-Grilled Fennel)

• 2005 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Red Fez Sweet and Spicy Burger Recipe

• 2004 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Grilled Avocado BLT Burger Recipe

• 2003 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  My Big Fat Greco-Inspired Burger Recipe

• 2002 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Vitello Focaccia Burger Recipe

• 2001 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Soy-Glazed Salmon Burger with Ginger Lime Aioli Recipe

• 2000 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Hawaiian Tuna Burger with Maui Wowee Salsa Recipe

• 1999 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Down Island Burger with Mango Mayo & Grilled Onions Recipe

• 1998 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Carolina Pork Barbecue Burger Recipe

• 1997 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Siciliano Burger with Fresh Ciliegine and Sweet Tomato Butter Recipe

• 1996 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Mulligatawny Burger Recipe

• 1995 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Chicken Oriental Burgers With Grilled Shiitake Recipe

• 1994 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Portobello Burger Recipe

• 1993 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Gingered-Beef Burger Recipe

• 1991 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Lamburgers àla Grecque With Cilantro-Mint Chutney Recipe

• 1990 Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Hamburger Winner:
  Napa Valley Basil-Smoked Burger Recipe

Looking for even more burger recipes? You might want to also visit Build a Better Burger’s Burgerbase which features 5000+ Burger Recipes to inspire you.

The hamburger recipes there are searchable by meat / filling (ie. beef, chicken, duck, turkey, lamb, pork, fish, shellfish, tofu). You can also search for recipes that use such popular burger toppings and ingredients as garlic, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, bell pepper, bacon, apple, and avocado.

You can find the contest rules and tips for entering The Build a Better Burger Contest here.

Please join us tomorrow to read our newest daily food and cooking feature on HuggingtheCoast.Com, a recipe for a Porcini Infused Wagyu Burger With Ponzu Onion Marmalade.

If you liked this article on HuggingtheCoast.Com, you might also enjoy:

• Gourmet Burger Recipes: Indian Summer Turkey Burger With Sweet Corn Mayo
• Crunchy Taco Turkey Burger Recipe
• Million Dollar Winning Contest Recipes from the Pillsbury Bake-Off
• Gourmet Dip, Salsa, and Spread Recipes to Brighten Any Party or Meal
• 40 Gourmet Ice Cream Recipes to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month
• Summer Survival Kit: Cool Recipes to Help You Survive the Hottest Days of Summer
• 11 Gourmet Ice Cream Milkshake Recipes to Help You Survive the Dog Days of Summer
• Little Pink Hot Dogs for You and Me
• Mayo Free Salad Ideas: Mediterranean Garlic Hummus Potato Salad Recipe
• Eat Like a President: 50+ White House Recipes You Can Enjoy

(Photo Credits: All photos in this article were taken by Sutter Home/ Build a Better Burger.)

Here’s a look back at the food, cooking, and recipe posts that appeared earlier in the week here on HuggingtheCoast.Com…please join us tomorrow for the start of next week’s exciting food features!

Looking Back: 8/24/2009-8/30/2009

Monday: Summertime, Where the Grilling (and Outdoor Cooking) is Easy

Tuesday: Fruit Salad Recipes and Ideas Perfect For a Party

Wednesday: Find Original Recipes and Gourmet Inspiration in Our New Video

Thursday: August Adventures in Food Blogging: The Most Popular Recipes and Cooking Articles on Hugging the Coast

Friday: Tuna Sandwiches With Spiced Eggs (Fish For Friday Recipe)

Saturday: Julia Child and Jacques Pepin Make an Easy French Picnic Sandwich Together (Weekend Video Spotlight)

Sunday: You are here

Please join us tomorrow to read our new food and cooking article where we’ll share Award Winning Gourmet Hamburger Recipes from The Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest.

AllErikaEclectica has shared an interesting video which shows the late Julia Child and Jacques Pepin making a Pan Bagnat, a picnic friendly sandwich from the Nice region of France.

If you love a good Salade Nicoise, you’ll love this sandwich which takes its cue from it. In the video, Julia and Jacques work together like a charming culinary Odd Couple as they share their theories about how to best make this versatile and satisfying sandwich.

You can see the video of Julia Child and Jacques Pepin making a Pan Bagnat together below. Enjoy!

Looking to make Pan Bagnat yourself? Cookthink has a nice recipe for Pan Bagnat here which is inspired by this recipe by Alton Brown.

Whatever you may think of the new foodie movie, Julie and Julia, the film has had a remarkable effect on the sales of Julia Child’s books; propelling Mastering the Art of French Cooking to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

As Julia Child once said, “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”

Based on the newfound popularity of her books, it appears that many share her passion for cooking and living life to the fullest.

You can see other recent Weekend Video Spotlight Videos here.

You can also see HuggingtheCoast.com’s growing collection of food, cooking, and travel videos here.

Please join us tomorrow to see this week’s Hugging the Coast.Com Week in Review, an overview of last week’s special food features (as well as selected previews from the week to come).

If you liked this video on HuggingtheCoast.Com, you might also enjoy:

• Remembering the Life and Cooking of Julia Child: Recipes and a Story About Beginnings
• Fish For Friday Recipe: Pasta and Tuna Nicoise Salad Recipe
• Guilty Pleasures: What Do You Cook When No One’s Looking?
• Weekend Video Spotlight: 2 Salmon Video Recipes From Chef Jacques Pepin
• 20 Delicious Recipes For Gourmet Salads Without Mayo

Here’s a delicious recipe for Tuna Sandwiches With Spiced Eggs from the folks at Eating Out Loud.

Ingredients for the Tuna Salad:

2 cans tuna (in water), drained
1/2 cup diced celery
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
zest of 1 lemon
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
dash of pepper

Ingredients for the Spiced Eggs:

4 boiled eggs, peeled
dash Chinese 5 spice
dash red chili pepper
dash salt

How to Make Tuna Sandwiches With Spiced Eggs

See More of Hugging the Coast’s Fish For Friday Recipes which will help you make the most of your favorite seafood during the rest of the year.

You can also see our list of delicious seafood recipes, organized by type of fish to make it easier for you to find culinary inspiration and ideas.

Please join us tomorrow to see this week’s culinary Weekend Video Spotlight: Julia Child and Jacques Pepin Make an Easy French Picnic Sandwich Together.

If you liked this article on HuggingtheCoast.Com, you might also enjoy:

• 14 Gourmet Egg Salad Recipes Perfect for a Party or Picnic
• Summertime, Where the Grilling (and Outdoor Cooking) is Easy
• Fruit Salad Recipes and Ideas Perfect For a Party
• Pork Barbecue for the Soul: Duke’s Bar-B-Que, North Charleston, SC
• Fish For Friday Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Cocktail
• Celebrate the 4th of July With These Wonderful Red, White, and Blue Recipes

(Photo Credit: All Fish For Friday Recipe of the Week photos are courtesy of the featured blog. This week’s photo is from Eating Out Loud.)