14 Fun Burger Toppings and Ideas – Mypbelleville
No more simple cheeseburgers (although those are yummy too), this article is all about gourmet, next level hamburgers.
Borrowing from pizza, pasta, or even breakfast foods, can make for exciting and unique burgers. Some of these toppings may seem outrageous, but trust me, they taste insanely good.
Your next picnic or cookout deserves to be the best one ever! Wow your guests with some of these unusual but totally mouthwatering toppings for your next burger.
1. Chiles
If you’re from the west coast, you’ll know, we want a little spice on just about everything On a burger, some chopped chiles cut through the heavy meats and cheeses. They offer that perfect touch of tanginess to take your plain cheeseburger to another level.
Plus, spicy food is known to enhance your metabolism. So whatever chile pepper you get (jalapeños, green chiles, pepperoncinis) it will be good for your health and your taste buds.
2. Bacon
Lately, you can hardly find a burger that doesn’t have bacon on it. And there’s a reason for that!
Add to the savory goodness of your burger with some thick, smokey, salty strips of bacon. It gives your burger texture and intense flavor, and makes any burger taste better.
You just can’t go wrong with bacon!
This one is definitely a must-have on my list
3. Pickles
Perhaps the epitome of delicious toppings, pickles provide that extra punch of zest and perfect juiciness. Whether you go with dill, sweet, cucumber, or zucchini, you simply can’t go wrong with a sweet, crunchy pickle.
4. Condiments
Condiments are an essential burger topping. They add flavor, texture, and moisture, all much needed ingredients
Spicy, creamy, fresh, or rich, I can’t even imagine a burger without some kind of condiment!
Ketchup and mustard are absolute classics. If you don’t put anything else on a burger, you’ve at least got to have this flavorful pair.
You could also go in the direction of thousand island or ranch for an extra creamy and decadent burger.
And of course mayo is a must have ingredient for adding a little moisture on your buns
5. Lettuce
Lettuce on a burger has to be crunchy since it doesn’t add a lot of flavor. You could add mixed greens or arugula for something with a little more zing, but my advice is just to make sure your romaine stays crisp.
One way to do so is to wait to wash your head of lettuce until you’re about to use it. This way the leaves don’t go soggy sitting in your fridge. And even if your lettuce does end up getting a little sad looking, there’s a trick for that too!
Soak your lettuce in an ice bath for a few minutes and it will perk back up.
6. Onions
Onions are another super versatile burger topping. When popped on top raw, they offer a fresh, spicy kick that is a much needed contrast to the greasiness of the beef patty and cheese.
Caramelized onions give a light sweetness, and fried onions just taste great! No matter your preference on onion type, they add dimension and personality to your meal.
Fun Fact: Onions are one of the secret ingredients in White Castle burgers. They stack a pile of onions on the grill and then cook the patties on top.
It almost looks like the onions are actually cooked into the patty itself. Which is part of what creates their signature flavor.
7. Cheese
Cheese is a must-have ingredient when it comes to burgers. Cheese goes with burgers like peanut butter goes with jelly.
Whether it’s a thin slice of American, a rich piece of Swiss, or a creamy Provolone, you absolutely have to have cheese
8. Fried Egg
This is a more controversial topping. Some people don’t want to deal with the mess of the runny yolk. And others think that the combination of egg and ground beef is simply too rich.
I personally enjoy a fried egg on toast, biscuits and gravy, or even atop a burger.
For me, fried egg on my burger makes it a special occasion. It’s certainly not your ever day burger. But when you want something a little extra, this topping is oh so tasty.
9. Pineapple
For a tropical feel, go with a thick slice of pineapple and your favorite BBQ sauce. Pineapple is so bright, flavorful, and juicy, it could be the only topping and still taste amazing.
The fruity sweetness balances out the meaty umami flavors perfectly, and makes for a refreshing burger on a hot summer day.
10. Coleslaw
Instead of eating coleslaw as a side dish to your burger, why not put it inside the bun? Coleslaw adds a tangy crunch, making a simple burger more invigorating and exciting.
Plus, coleslaw is a super inexpensive option, so it’s a win-win.
11. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a fun topping, but they also spark quite a bit of debate. You either love mushrooms, or you hate their weird rubbery texture.
I grew out of my distaste for these lovely fungi, and now I can always appreciate a burger with mushrooms and creamy Swiss any day.
Whether they’re sauteed, stuffed, or grilled, mushrooms give you that delicious earthy, meaty flavor, almost like adding another patty. Yum!
12. Avocados
Referred to as nature’s butter, avocados are so creamy and decadent, yet include the fats that are actually vital to a healthy diet.
Topping your burger with avocado, sliced or mixed into guacamole, makes your burger not only more delicious, but also more filling. It’s a delicious topping that’s also guilt-free.
13. Mac and Cheese
Even with a smaller patty, macaroni and cheese basically doubles your burger, so this is for a truly special occasion when no one is counting calories.
But eating a burger with mac and cheese adds a creamy deliciousness that is oh so worth it.
14. Kimchi
Similar to pickles, kimchi can give your burger a tangy kick. For those new to kimchi, it’s a spicy and salty Korean coleslaw style salad made up of cabbage, onions, and chile.
If you want an Asian-inspired, pungent burger, go with a big spoonful of kimchi. Plus, you’ll get some gut-healthy probiotics to boot.
