The one where we all get what we want—with minimal dishes, no whining, and plenty of pickles.

Last-minute dinner plan?
We’re going with burgers on the grill tonight—and I figured it was worth sharing how we make it work for everyone in this house (because you know that’s no small feat).

We’ve got a dad who loves a spicy kick, a mom (hi, it’s me) who skips the cheese but insists on crisp lettuce and fry sauce, a kid who only eats the meat/cheese/bun combo, and a 4-year-old who treats dinner like a midday snack plate.

Here’s how I make it all happen in under an hour.

The Plan + Timeline

1 HOUR BEFORE DINNER

Pull beef from fridge
Bake or air fry the bacon
Slice toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeño
Mix up the fry sauce (recipe below)

30 MINUTES BEFORE DINNER

Form burger patties (about 4–5 oz each)
Season with salt + pepper
Fire up the grill, prep buns + toppings

GRILL TIME: ~10–15 MINUTES

Grill 3–4 min per side
Add cheese for Jason + Finn at the end
Toast the buns (definitely use a small amount of butter)
Toss tots in oven or air fryer
Assemble burgers to taste

Who’s Eating What?

Jason: “The Kickin’ Bacon”

Burger patty
Sharp cheddar
Crispy bacon
Fresh jalapeños
Toasted bun + spicy BBQ or chipotle mayo

Heidi: “The Classic No-Cheese”

Burger patty
Thin white onion
Crisp lettuce
Beefsteak tomato
No cheese, extra fry sauce, toasted bun
Tots on the side (obviously)

Finn: “Meat, Cheese, Bun. That’s It.”

Burger patty
Slice of cheddar or American
Classic bun
Fries if we're out—tots will do

Shay: “Snack Plate Queen”

The most amount of Pickles
Mainly the salt on top of the tomatoes
Cucumbers + strawberries (occasionally)
Maybe a mini slider with ketchup (if the stars align)
Definitely sneaks a tot or two

Heidi’s Quick Fry Sauce

(You need this. Trust me.)

¼ cup mayo
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp yellow mustard
½ tsp Worcestershire
Pinch of garlic powder
A dash of pickle juice

Whisk and chill until burger time.

It’s not revolutionary—but it works. And is a favorite in our house.
Burgers for all, minimal dishes, happy kids, spicy toppings for Jason, and one night this week where nobody asked for a separate dinner.

Let me know if you try it—or if you’ve got a signature sauce I should be stealing.
And yes, the tots really do disappear faster than I ever expect.

The Grocery List (Sprouts-Friendly)

Produce:

Romaine or iceberg lettuce
Beefsteak tomatoes
White onion
Fresh jalapeños
Baby cucumbers
Strawberries
Optional: avocado, garlic or powder

Meat + Deli:

1.5–2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
Bacon (regular or turkey)
Cheddar cheese (block + slices)
American cheese (for Finn)
Naan or pita (Shay)
Cheese sticks

Bakery:

Burger buns (brioche, classic, or GF)
Slider buns (optional)

Pantry + Condiments:

Mayo
Ketchup
Yellow mustard
Worcestershire sauce
Pickle juice
BBQ sauce or chipotle mayo
Garlic powder

Frozen Section:

Tater tots (a must in our house)
Optional: sweet potato fries or classic crinkles or some good ‘ol potato chips

Shop the Setup Everything linked here

A few favorites we used (and love) for our burger night:

Enamel trays – lightweight, durable, and cute enough to leave out all summer. [SHOP HERE]
Snack baskets – perfect for tots, chips, or little hands that don’t love a full plate. [SHOP HERE]
Reusable plates – Shay-approved, unbreakable, and dishwasher-safe. [SHOP HERE]
Mini dipping bowls – for sauces, pickles, jalapeños… or whatever your kids insist can’t touch. [SHOP HERE]
Woven tray – the one I carried like I was hosting something fancy (but wasn’t). [SHOP HERE]
Striped tablecloth – instantly made it feel pulled together, even though it was just burgers on the patio. [ON SALE]
Wonder Oven (non-toxic air fryer) – our countertop MVP for crispy tots and easy dinners. [SHOP HERE]
Citronella bug sticks – they smell so good and actually work. We burn them every night we eat outside. [SHOP HERE]