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Classic Burger and Shake Combinations

January 16, 2025

From road trips to see the grandparents to celebrations of games well-played, burgers and shakes are a beloved food and beverage pairing for many occasions and events. Choosing the perfect combination may simply be a matter of personal preference or an intentional choice to enhance the complete meal. Here, we explore how to pair burgers and shakes together and four steakburger and frozen custard shake combinations to try at a Freddy’s near you or at home!

 

How to Pair Burgers and Shakes

 

Both complementary and contrasting approaches can result in delicious food and beverage combinations, including pairings of burgers and shakes. Exploring the potential of this classic duo can be as simple as focusing on fun and enjoying what you like, as encouraged by the culinary professionals at Serious Eats. Alternately, burger and shake lovers may enjoy amping up their experience by trying out these food and beverage pairing tips!

 

Embrace the textural differences! In addition to the clear temperature contrast between a cool refreshing frozen custard shake and a hot steakburger cooked to perfection, an array of textural components boost the experience of a dish alone or paired with different drinks and sides, not to mention toppings or sauces. For example, the rich, creamy mouthfeel of a frozen custard shake further highlights the crispy edges and juicy middle of a Freddy’s steakburger. Topping additions to either the burger or the shake component may further increase these textural intricacies.

 

Amp up the flavor power! One reason that burgers and shakes have had such an enduring partnership is they illustrate the depth of flavor created by combining savory and sweet components. In addition to the benefits of employing contrasting flavors, using similar flavor notes together also tantalizes the tastebuds, such as when the creamy goodness of that melty cheese on your steakburger aligns with the richness of a frozen custard shake. As the food guides at Taste of Home highlight, pairing like ingredients in dishes served together further brings attention to those shared flavor elements.

 

4 Combinations of Burgers and Shakes to Try!

 

If you’ve been searching for the next party idea or a fun surprise for the kids at your next family dinner, trying out different burger and shake combinations is the perfect way to go! Whether you create your own burgers and shakes for people to customize or invite friends and family to design their own combo meals from Freddy’s, they’ll love bringing their own personal preferences to their burgers and shakes or trying a new approach. Listed by shake flavor, here are a few recommendations for those on a burger and shake pairing quest:

 

Vanilla

A cold glass of milk has long been a popular meal companion. A vanilla frozen custard shake is essentially a sweeter and more indulgent upgrade on this traditional beverage. If a soda is the usual drink you order with your preferred burger, starting with the simple luxury of a frozen vanilla custard shake may be a revelatory experience in flavor discovery. Culinary resource, Tasting Table, also emphasizes how vanilla notes help bring out the layers of flavor in meat.

 

Chocolate

When it comes to dessert, chocolate in its many forms often tops the lists of favorite sweet treats. However, in addition to its individual greatness, chocolate also appears in both sweet and savory dishes as a flavor enhancer or complement. Fans of spicier burgers or burger toppings may find a creamy chocolate shake to be a cooling accompaniment or one that further magnifies the heat of chili topping or sauces like Freddy’s Famous Jalapeño Fry Sauce®.

 

Strawberry or Cherry

Assorted fruits are a staple in many marinades and sauces and even appear as toppings for burgers and other sandwiches. Their sweetness also complements familiar burger toppings like onions and pickles. Choosing a fruit-forward shake to enjoy with your burger leverages not only the texture and temperature contrast of this selection but also the sweet yet slightly tart addition to the overall meal.

 

Pecan or Peanut Butter

Starting with more familiar shake flavors provides the opportunity to consider how burgers and shakes work together to please your palate. However, more adventurous pairings offer opportunities for discovery. For example, try shakes with nutty additions like pecans or blended frozen custard creations like the Freddy’s PBC & B, which includes vanilla frozen custard, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups® and banana. Whether amplifying the nuances of a veggie burger or further enhancing the salty goodness of the burger patty or crispy bacon topping, diners can enjoy tasting their favorite nuts and candies infused into their shakes and experiencing how these ingredients elevate the burger and shake combination.

 

For many people, burgers and shakes are a nostalgic experience as well as a delicious one. At your local Freddy’s, create even more memories with our delicious steakburgers and frozen custard shakes, as well as many other mouth-watering sandwiches, sides and treats. Order your favorite burger and shake combo today!