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12 best burgers to buy for the BBQ, from Aldi to Hawksmoor
The top patties for your grill, including an affordable wagyu burger!
Tested by Georgia TurnellGHI Food & Drink Tester
As part of our annual BBQ Taste Test, our team of experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have worked their way through hundreds of products to bring you the very best for all your alfresco dining needs.
Ready to up your grilling game this summer? There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of a burger on hot coals; it’s a little piece of summer we can depend on, even if the British weather sometimes lets us down.
Whether you fancy a classic, straight-up beef patty, an indulgent wagyu burger, or one infused with spicy jalapeno, we’ve got the best burgers for your BBQ. Simply slather with ketchup, pick your perfect bun (brioche for us please) and add your favourite sides for the ultimate cookout this summer.
Best burgers to buy in 2026
In a hurry to get grilling? These are our experts’ favourite burgers in one handy list:
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How we test burgers
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our panel of barbecue taste testers grilled, flipped and devoured 23 burgers from both supermarkets and independent retailers to find the ones worth stocking up on this summer. They were looking for a generously sized patty, with a rich, meaty flavour and oh-so juicy texture.
Exceptional by ASDA Buttered Miso Beef Steak Burgers 340g
Exceptional by ASDA Buttered Miso Beef Steak Burgers 340g
Score: 88/100
ASDA’s seasonal burger stands out for its originality, taking inspiration from the US “mop” style of cooking – where meat is basted with sauce during grilling to lock in moisture and flavour. The result is a delightfully juicy burger with a delicate sweet and savoury umami note. Top marks for innovation.
Tesco Finest Chuck & Brisket Beef Burger 340g
Score: 83/100
Made with a mix of British chuck, brisket and bone marrow, these premium patties are seasoned with Cornish sea salt and cracked black pepper and have a deeply mature flavour. Juicy and tender, a strong choice for burger lovers.
Co-op Irresistible Ultimate Burger 340g
Co-op Irresistible Ultimate Burger 340g
Score: 83/100
Living up to their name, Co-op’s classic burgers have had a recipe upgrade, resulting in a rich, oniony aroma that our testers described as “near perfect.” A simple, well-made burger with a peppery flavour and firm texture; it’s a great all-rounder for traditionalists.
Finnebrogue Wagyu Burger 340g
Score: 81/100
Made with indulgent wagyu beef, our panel thought this classic burger had a particularly inviting aroma. They were also impressed with the tender, juicy texture, and enjoyed the gentle seasoning. Overall, an impressive burger where the quality of the meat shines through.
Waitrose BBQ Oak Smoked Beef Burgers 454g
Waitrose BBQ Oak Smoked Beef Burgers 454g
Score: 78/100
A full-flavoured alternative to your classic beef burger, Waitrose has mixed things up here, adding a rich, smoky finish inspired by Memphis-style BBQ sauce. Our testers enjoyed the bold seasoning and charred edges, describing it as a “well-rounded burger.”
Hawksmoor Steak & Bone Marrow Burgers 340g
Hawksmoor Steak & Bone Marrow Burgers 340g
Score: 78/100
Hawksmoor is one of our all-time favourite steak houses, but how do these burgers fare? Made with British beef and rich bone marrow (for extra flavour), the seasoning is stripped back to allow the meat to take centre stage.
Our panel appreciated the straightforward flavour profile, which makes it a great base for additional toppings. A simple, no-fuss burger, made with quality beef.
Score: 78/100
Testers said this four-pack of patties was “full-flavoured and delicious”, with notes of aged beef and the perfect level of fattiness. Thick and juicy, these are satisfying classic beef burgers – perfect for any BBQ.
Daylesford Organic Venison Burgers 454g
Score: 77/100
Daylesford’s organic burgers are made from lean venison, making them a healthier switch for the classic beef burger. The distinctive flavour is simply seasoned, and the juicy, melt-in-the-mouth texture is spot on. As one tester put it, “It’s just what I look for on the first bite.”
Campbells Blaggis Burger 680g
Campbells Blaggis Burger 680g
Score: 77/100
Made with a unique mix of haggis and black pudding, these are fairly thin patties, which make them a great choice for cooking quickly on the grill and topping with cheese slices. Compact and springy in texture, our testers found the meat very flavoursome with fatty notes and a gentle heat from the spices.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Green Chilli Smash Burger 340g
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Green Chilli Smash Burger 340g
Score: 76/100
Add a little heat to your plate with these Sainsbury’s green chilli smash burgers. The jalapenos and green peppers provide a real kick, adding a pleasant tingle to each bite. Our testers enjoyed the balance, noting that the spice adds interest without the risk of blowing anyone's socks off.
HECK! Minted Lamb Burgers 320g
HECK! Minted Lamb Burgers 320g
Score: 74/100
Our testers loved the mouth-watering aroma of lamb and mint from these burgers. The meat is packed with flavour, combining the perfect level of seasoning, light fatty notes and well-integrated mint.
The texture was also a hit, with juicy, coarsely-ground meat in a thick patty. Top with a dollop of tzatziki for the perfect flavour combo.
by Amazon Quarter Pounder Beef Burgers 454g
by Amazon Quarter Pounder Beef Burgers 454g
Score: 73/100
It’s worth keeping a pack of these quarter pounders on standby this summer, as they work out at just over one pound a patty. Expect a chunky texture, juicy middle and a classic grassy beef flavour.
These also passed...
- The Ginger Pig Beef Burger, £2.90 each, Score: 71/100
- The Green Butcher Organic Beef Burgers, £9.50 for 320g, Score: 70/100
- Aldi Specially Selected Wagyu Smash Burger, £3.99 for 340g, Score: 70/100
Read on for more BBQ taste tests
How long do burgers take on the barbecue?
Once you've made sure your grill is piping hot (around 71 Celsius is best), cook the beef burger for 6-7 minutes on each side for medium, or 8-9 minutes if you prefer it well done.
You'll want to cook the meat on a high heat to sear the outside, while keeping a slightly pink middle. For other varieties such as lamb or vegan burgers, always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Georgia has been part of the hospitality industry for the last nine years. Her starting point was the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where she gained a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. She has worked at a number of well-known restaurants and bakeries including The Club at the Ivy and Ottolenghi, Notting Hill where she was the head pastry chef. Most recently, Georgia worked at The Clink Bakery inside HMP Brixton, which aims to reduce reoffending through teaching. She is an expert in all things baked goods and holds a WSET level 2 in wine.
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