Guy Fieri Carnival Cruise Burger Recipe

What Is the Carnival Cruise Burger and Why Do Fans Love It?

The Carnival Cruise burger, often nicknamed the “Ringer,” is Guy Fieri’s signature creation for Guy’s Burger Joint aboard Carnival ships.

Its claim to fame is layering: a smashed 80/20 beef patty, a pour of warm cheese sauce, a melted slice of American cheese, and a crunchy fried onion ring, all held together by tangy Donkey Sauce. The flavor profile hits every note – rich, smoky, tangy, sweet, and savory – in one bite.

Compared to a standard diner cheeseburger, this one leans harder into decadence, closer to a steakhouse burger crossed with carnival-fair indulgence. Its nostalgic charm comes from Fieri’s signature flair: bold, hearty, no-apologies comfort food that tastes like vacation, even on a Tuesday night at home.

Guy Fieri Carnival Cruise Burger Ingredients

Roasted Garlic (for Donkey Sauce)

• 1–2 garlic cloves, or 1 whole head (top cut off)
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Donkey Sauce

• Roasted garlic (from above)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• About 4 splashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (a bit more if desired)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Black pepper, a few sprinkles

Super Melted Cheese (SMC)

• 8 oz Velveeta, cubed
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Pinch of salt

Burger & Assembly (per burger)

• 5 oz ground beef, 80/20 blend
• Salt, to taste
• 1 slice American cheese
• 1 burger bun
• Butter + garlic mixture, for toasting
• 1 fried onion ring
• Barbecue sauce
• Pickles
• Shredded lettuce
• Tomato slice(s)

Key Ingredient Substitutions for Your Carnival Cruise Burger

Ground beef: 80/20 beef gives the best smash-burger crust and juiciness, but ground chuck or a beef-pork blend works in a pinch. For a leaner option, try 85/15, though the patty will be slightly less juicy.

Velveeta: If you don’t keep Velveeta on hand, a mix of shredded American cheese melted with a splash of milk and butter gets you close. Sharp cheddar can work too, though you’ll lose some of that signature silky meltability.

Mayonnaise: For a lighter Donkey Sauce, swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt. It still carries the roasted garlic and Worcestershire flavor while cutting some richness.

Fried onion rings: Store-bought frozen onion rings or even crispy fried onion straws (the kind used on green bean casserole) make an easy shortcut if you’re not frying from scratch.

Tools You Need to Make This Recipe at Home

• Flat-top griddle or large cast-iron skillet
• Sturdy burger press or metal spatula for smashing
• Small saucepan for the cheese sauce
• Mixing bowl for Donkey Sauce
• Aluminum foil (for roasting garlic)
• Basting cover or dome lid (helps melt cheese evenly)
• Tongs and a spatula

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 45–60 minutes hands-off roasting for garlic)
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: Makes enough for 4 burgers

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make This Guy Fieri Carnival Cruise Burger Recipe

1. Roast the garlic

Cut the top off your garlic head (or cloves), place on foil, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Wrap tightly and roast at 375°F for 45–60 minutes, until soft and squeezable. Let cool, then squeeze out the cloves.

2. Make the cheese sauce

On a griddle or stovetop, melt the Velveeta with milk, butter, granulated garlic, onion powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth, then lower the heat so it stays warm and pourable.

3. Mix the Donkey Sauce

Combine the roasted garlic with mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and black pepper.

Stir well, taste, and adjust seasoning. Chill briefly if you like it cooler.

4. Cook the patty

Heat your griddle to medium-high. Place a 5 oz ball of beef on the surface, cook for 30–45 seconds, season the top with salt, then smash to about ⅓-inch thick – not paper-thin.

Cook about 90 seconds until a deep crust forms.

5. Flip and cheese it

Flip the patty, spoon warm cheese sauce generously over the top, then lay a slice of American cheese on top so both melt together into one gooey layer.

6. Toast the buns

Brush buns with the garlic-butter mixture and toast on the griddle until golden.

7. Assemble

Spread Donkey Sauce on both bun halves. Place the cheesy patty on the bottom bun, then stack with a fried onion ring, barbecue sauce, pickles, shredded lettuce, and tomato.

Close with the top bun and serve immediately, fries on the side if you’re going all in.

Pro Tips for Getting the Flavor Just Right

The biggest mistake people make with this Carnival Cruise burger recipe is overworking the beef – handle it gently when forming the ball so the patty stays tender. Don’t smash it too thin either; you want a crust, not a cracker.

Keep your cheese sauce on low heat once melted. If it sits on high, it’ll separate and turn grainy instead of silky. A dome lid or basting cover over the patty while the cheese melts helps everything fuse together instead of just sitting on top.

Roast extra garlic while you’re at it – it keeps well and makes the Donkey Sauce even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Finally, toast your buns right before assembly; a soggy bun undercuts all that rich topping work. Build the burger immediately after flipping the patty so everything stays hot and the cheese doesn’t set before it hits the bun.

Easy Variations to Customize This Burger

Want it spicier? Add a few dashes of hot sauce or diced jalapeños to the Donkey Sauce. Craving smokiness? Swap regular barbecue sauce for a smoky chipotle version, or add a few strips of cooked bacon under the cheese.

For a lighter take, skip the fried onion ring and use thin raw red onion instead, or go bunless and wrap it in lettuce. Cheese lovers can swap American for pepper jack for a spicy kick, while a brioche bun instead of a standard burger bun adds extra richness. You can also double the patty for a stacked, diner-style version of this Carnival Cruise burger.

Best Ways to Serve This Burger in Your Meals

This Carnival Cruise burger is built to be the main event, so lean into classic cookout sides that can stand up to its richness. Crispy seasoned fries or onion rings are the obvious pairing, echoing the fried element already on the burger. A tangy coleslaw or a vinegar-based pickle salad helps cut through the richness of the Donkey Sauce and melted cheese.

If you’re serving a crowd, set up a mini burger bar with extra toppings – jalapeños, different sauces, varied cheeses – so everyone can build their own version. For a cookout spread, pair it with grilled corn on the cob or a chilled pasta salad to balance out the heavier flavors.

This burger also works well cut in half and served alongside a cup of soup for a smaller appetite, or paired with a cold beer or milkshake for the full boardwalk-diner experience. However you serve it, keep napkins close – this one’s deliciously messy by design.

How to Store and Keep It Fresh

Store cooked patties, cheese sauce, and Donkey Sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep buns and fresh toppings separate to avoid sogginess.

To reheat, warm the patty in a skillet over medium heat until hot through, and gently reheat the cheese sauce in a saucepan with a splash of milk to restore its smooth texture. Assemble fresh before serving.

Nutrition Facts and Dietary Notes

One fully loaded Carnival Cruise burger runs roughly 750–900 calories, depending on toppings and bun size, with significant fat and sodium from the cheese sauce and mayo-based sauce. For a lighter version, use lean ground beef, reduced-fat mayo, and skip the fried onion ring.

This recipe isn’t naturally keto due to the bun, but it’s easily made low-carb with a lettuce wrap. It’s not vegan or vegetarian as written, though plant-based beef and dairy-free cheese alternatives can adapt it. Protein content is high, making it a satisfying, indulgent treat in moderation.

How long do I roast the garlic for the Donkey Sauce?

Roast it at 375°F for 45–60 minutes, until the cloves are soft enough to squeeze out easily with light pressure.

Can I make the Donkey Sauce ahead of time?

Yes, it actually improves after sitting a few hours or overnight in the fridge, as the roasted garlic flavor deepens.

What’s the best cheese to use instead of Velveeta?

Shredded American cheese melted with a little milk and butter is the closest substitute if you want a smoother sauce without Velveeta.

Why did my cheese sauce turn grainy?

High heat is usually the culprit. Keep it on low once melted, and stir in a splash of milk if it starts to separate.

Can I grill this burger instead of using a griddle?

You can, though you’ll lose some of the signature smash-burger crust. A flat-top griddle or cast-iron skillet gives the best results for this recipe.

Is this the exact recipe used on Carnival Cruise ships?

This is a home-cook copycat version inspired by Guy Fieri’s Carnival Cruise burger, built to recreate the flavors as closely as possible in a home kitchen.

This Carnival Cruise burger recipe brings all the over-the-top flavor of Guy Fieri’s famous ship burger straight to your kitchen, no boarding pass required. Between the roasted garlic Donkey Sauce, gooey double-cheese pour, and crispy onion ring crunch, every bite delivers that boardwalk indulgence.

Make it for a weekend cookout, a game-day spread, or just because you’re craving something seriously delicious – this burger earns its nickname as “the Ringer” every single time.