Every Kind of Burger Bun - The Complete Guide

To create the most perfect burger you have to get the best possible ingredients. One of the most important ingredients is the hamburger bun.

There are many different types of hamburger buns on the market, and each has its pros and cons. Two things they should all have in common are their ability to be loaded with ingredients and their soft, fluffy texture when you bite into them.

Now that there are so many different types of burgers on the market, including turkey, chicken, and salmon, it’s important to choose a burger bun that works best for each type of burger.

Luckily, there are many on the market!

So what are the best hamburger buns out there?

The best hamburger buns are the original hamburger bun, sesame bun, ciabatta, brioche, pretzel, and onion bun.

Read on to learn about the characteristics of each bun, which types of burgers they work best with, and the qualities to consider before choosing a burger bun.

Qualities to consider when choosing a hamburger bun

When deciding on the perfect bun for your burger, there are a few qualities to keep in mind to ensure you choose the best option possible:

meat option

When choosing a bread, the first and most important thing you should base your decision on is the type of meat you are going to use.

Today almost any meat can be turned into a hamburger. There are, of course, the classic beef burgers, but also turkey, chicken, vegetarian and even salmon burgers.

Because each meat has such a unique flavor, some breads work better (and others less so) with certain meats. 

For example, salmon has a rich, light fishy flavor. If you were to pair it with a buttery pretzel bun, the flavors wouldn’t mix well. Even the texture of the salmon and the pretzel wouldn’t make a good pairing.

It is important to think about both the flavors and the texture of the meat of the chosen burger before choosing the bun.

bread flavor

Just like meats have a specific flavor, so do breads: not all breads are created equal.

It’s important to think about the flavor of each bun and whether you want it to blend with your specific burger.

Some buns, like the traditional hamburger buns, are soft and can work with almost any meat, while potato buns are starchy and slightly potatoy and would not work well with salmon burgers.

Keep the flavor of the bun in mind when choosing a bun for your burger.

bread texture

Another feature to consider is the texture of the bun, as it can make or break the burger experience.

Some buns tend to be thicker and more sturdy, which works best for heavily loaded burgers or juicy meat, while thinner buns work better for plain burgers or meat with less moisture.

Choosing a bun with the right texture can either complement the burger well or cause it to fall apart altogether. That’s why texture is so important.

Hamburger condiments and toppings

The last features to consider are the condiments and toppings you plan to include on your burger.

Most traditional seasonings, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise, work well on all types of hamburger buns . However, single seasonings or combinations of seasonings may not work on some types of breads.

For example, you might want to recreate that blue cheese burger you bought at a restaurant last week. It had crumbled blue cheese and balsamic onion on top of a delicious beef burger.

These types of seasonings would taste strange on a starchy potato bun. Also, the bun would absorb all the flavor of the seasonings and take over the flavor of the burger.

For these types of burgers you should use a ciabatta bun or possibly a brioche bun.

Not only the flavor of the seasonings affects the choice of bread, but also the number of seasonings. For fully loaded burgers, you need something with more stability, like a ciabatta or brioche bun.

For burgers with fewer ingredients, regular, sesame, and onion buns work great.

Types of hamburger buns

Let’s now take a look at each type of hamburger bun to see their different qualities, such as flavor and texture, as well as what types of meats and seasonings they pair best with.

Traditional white bread burger bun

This type of hamburger bun is the one you probably know best. They are the rolls most often bought at the grocery store and taken to picnics and barbecues.

The traditional white bread hamburger bun is also the most widely used in fast food restaurants, both chain and family. This is the bagel we are all most familiar with.

This hamburger bun is very simple. Made with white bread, it doesn’t have much flavor; it often tastes like a thicker piece of bread, and the texture is the same. 

They tend to be smaller than other burger buns and are also not as durable or strong as other options.

Since they are less sturdy than other buns, it would be best to use traditional white hamburger buns when making a burger with simple ingredients.

Traditional burgers (usually just cheese, pickles, and ketchup) or a hamburger or cheeseburger with minimal toppings would work best for this bun.

I would avoid using too many seasonings or sauces, as the bread could fall apart.

Since they don’t have much flavor, these hamburger buns work well with almost any type of burger.

Beef, turkey, chicken, and vegetarian/vegan burgers go well, as long as the burgers are well seasoned (and you don’t need too much seasoning!)

sesame bun

The sesame bun is also a popular bun option, like the traditional white bun.

They are often found alongside traditional bagels at the grocery store and also at some fast food restaurants (hello Big Mac!)

However, the sesame bun is very plain in taste. It is also made with white bread and the only difference between a sesame bun and a traditional bun is the addition of sesame seeds. 

However, the sesame seeds add minimal flavor and seem to be there more for looks than anything else. In most cases, the sesame flavor is barely noticeable.

These buns are a bit smaller and not as sturdy as other options. This makes them a good choice for burgers that don’t contain many ingredients or with extremely moist and juicy meats. 

Although the sesame flavor is minimal, it would be tasty when paired with a salmon burger. Add Asian-inspired toppings like avocado, cabbage, and spicy mayonnaise, and you have a uniquely flavored burger.

However, you can also recreate a Big Mac at home! Add similar ingredients, like a spread, lettuce and cheese, with a beef burger and you have a very classic taste.

The only meat I would steer clear of on sesame buns would be chicken or turkey burgers, as the flavors might not blend as well.

ciabatta rolls

Ciabatta buns are a popular choice among those who prefer a uniquely flavored or artisanal burger.

Ciabatta has a thick, crisp exterior with a soft, airy center. Their shape is also unique: they are more square than round. However, they are often larger than store-bought hamburger buns and can hold round patties well.

The ciabatta buns are delicious, with a rich, buttery flavor that is a great choice for a burger. 

Because ciabatta rolls are thick, they can contain a lot of ingredients (like the seasonings that tend to make other roll options soggy) and are a great choice for meats that are juicy and moist. 

Ciabatta buns work well with many different types of burgers. However, choose a ciabatta bun if you want a loaded burger or one with lots of sauces and seasonings, as it’s the best option for that.

The thick texture of the bread helps maintain its integrity and does not fall apart.

Traditional beef burgers go very well with ciabatta, as they tend to be the juiciest.

Also, try eating your turkey, chicken, or veggie burgers with ciabatta buns. Since these meats tend to be a bit drier, adding seasonings helps flavor, and the ciabatta can handle the additional seasonings.

brioche bread

Brioche buns are often considered the “fancy” bun on this list.

Brioche buns can be found in some grocery stores, but you can also see them in nicer restaurants that still have a burger on their menu. Steak houses, for example, sometimes have a burger with a brioche bun on their menu.

Brioche buns are made with more egg and flour than a traditional bun or other type of bread, and the addition of butter and dairy causes many to consider these buns a pastry.

They have a nice glossy brown exterior with a soft, airy interior that makes them delicious with all kinds of meat.

Brioche has a rich, buttery flavor and that buttery flavor adds a wonderful layer of flavor to a burger. 

They also tend to handle many ingredients and seasonings well, so almost any type of burger works well with a brioche bun.

Beef works best, but chicken and turkey also taste great on a brioche bun.

The only group that should be careful with brioche buns are vegans. Although they are safe for vegetarians, they do use dairy and should not be eaten by vegans, so they may not work for all veggie burgers.

Pretzel Buns

Pretzel rolls are a fun and unique option that can be hard to find in stores.

However, many bars and breweries are making burgers out of pretzel buns (pretzels and beer go great together!)

Of all the rolls on this list, the pretzel rolls have the most unique look and taste. They are dark brown on the outside as they resemble a pretzel that you would buy at a fair or in a bag at the grocery store.

The flavor is even more unique, as they also taste like a traditional pretzel: buttery, yeasty, and salty. 

The texture of the bun is strong, as it has a hard, crunchy exterior with a soft, airy center.

This makes the pretzel bun extremely resistant to many ingredients, but it can also make the pretzel bun the most difficult to control and bite into.

Although it can handle many seasonings, the pretzel bun works best with a minimum of ingredients, since the bun itself is meant to be one of the main flavor profiles.

A pretzel burger should be very simple: meat, cheese and a little ketchup or mustard, and you have a delicious burger. 

The only meat that really works well with a pretzel bun is beef. I would stay away from drier meats like chicken, turkey, or vegetables. Also, the taste of pretzel and salmon burgers don’t go together well.

Potato bread

Potato rolls are another easily accessible option at many grocery stores; however, you won’t see many burgers served on potato buns in restaurants.

The potato rolls are unique in that they are the starchiest and thickest option on this roll list.

They look a lot like traditional bagels; however, they are thicker and often have a light coating of flour on top of the bun.

They are also usually extremely dense and soft, both inside and out, and have a slight potato flavor.

Their density allows the potato buns to withstand many different seasonings and toppings, as their thickness helps them hold together.

The flavor and dense texture of the potato buns can really affect the overall flavor of your burger.

The potato flavor of the bun can take over, so it’s important to put plenty of seasonings on the burger (luckily, it can handle it!).

Therefore, chicken and turkey burgers are a great option for this bread. Both types of meat need a lot of seasoning and seasoning to ensure flavor, and potato bread can handle it. 

It would also make a good bun for veggie burgers or portobello mushroom burgers, both of which need a bit more sauce for flavor.

I would stay away from salmon burgers. The taste of potato and salmon don’t mix well.

onion bread

Last on our list is the onion bun, which is a very tasty option.

Onion rolls are accessible at many grocery stores, but don’t expect to find them served at many restaurants.

Onion buns are very similar to traditional white or sesame buns, both in appearance and texture.

Made from white bread, the onion buns are soft and dense and quite thin and flimsy compared to other options on the list. Both inside and outside are soft and airy.

However, the bun is infused with onion flavor, and the top bun actually has bits of caramelized onion in the bun.

While sesame seeds don’t add much flavor, these onions are bursting with flavor without compromising on texture.

After the pretzel bun, these onion buns pack the most flavor and make a world of difference when it comes to putting together your burger.

If onions are not your thing, stay away from these breads. However, if you like onions, they are a great option.

They don’t hold up well to a lot of seasonings and ingredients, but they don’t need a lot of additions as the flavor is already great.

Honestly, any meat works well with an onion bun, as long as you like the flavor. Try beef, chicken, turkey, vegetarian, or salmon burgers, but keep seasonings to a minimum.