Burgers are the easiest and best thing to make, especially when you are craving something classic. However, this does not mean that they have to be boring. Of course, you can always use some tomato, onion, and lettuce, but if you are feeling more creative, you can always alter the toppings you put on top of a burger. Whether you are making slides, turkey burgers, kidney bean burgers, salmon burgers, or classic cheeseburgers, your options are endless.
Depending on what you are in the mood for, you can top your burgers with caramelized onions, hot Tabasco mayonnaise, or blue cheese. When making your burger, you can go as crazy as you want. If you love a pulled pork burger with some barbecue sauce, who’s stopping you from making one? When making yourself a burger, the main thing to remember is that it should satisfy your cravings. However, remember that the kind of protein you use to make your burger will compliment your toppings. For example, you can add flavorful toppings to a beef burger, but chicken and vegan burgers call for milder ingredients.
What Toppings to Put on a Burger
1. Mushrooms
It is not often that you will find mushrooms in a burger, but we assure you, they will up your burger game. The best thing about mushrooms is their texture- they are super rubbery.
Moreover, mushrooms can be seasoned any way you want, and they will still taste amazing. For the best mushrooms, leave them in some pasta sauce or risotto before adding them as a topping to your burger.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are great on burgers. They are light and refreshing and work extremely well with some crunchy lettuce and spicy mayo.
However, make sure to use good, firm tomatoes for your burger. Soft ones can leave your burger feeling watery and may destroy the patty’s texture.
3. Eggs
We understand that eggs in a burger are controversial. Some people really do not want to add eggs, while others love how a runny yolk tastes on top of a patty.
If you don’t enjoy a runny yolk but still want eggs to be a part of your burger, you can always boil them or cook them all the way. Eggs give a rich taste and taste particularly good with some melted cheese and juicy beef patty.
4. Chili
No classic American burger is complete without some good chili, especially cheeseburgers. However, we believe that chili in a burger works great as long as you are in the mood for it.
However, if you want to enjoy a juicy, saucy burger that doesn’t tantalize your taste buds and leave you sweaty, make sure to use very less chili. The art is to find the balance between spicy and sweet.
5. Lettuce
Lettuce seems like a common burger topping, but for the best burger of your life, you need to find fresh lettuce that is crunchy and full of texture.
Slap the leaves on top of your patty, along with some ketchup, cheese, and grilled meat, and you are good to go. Lettuce is also a great way to balance out the protein and fat content in the burger, making it super nutritious. It is also a great way to sneak in some greens and ensure that your kids eat them.
6. Avocado
Do you want to make a dreamy burger to fulfill all your cravings? There is nothing better than some creamy avocado.
Avocados add the perfect buttery texture to burgers and feel filling, especially if you do not want to add any cheese or mayonnaise or want to make a vegan burger. However, since the avocado slices can be slippery, we would recommend mashing them on top of the burger ban. This will ensure that everything stays in place.
7. Bacon
Red Robin, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s usually add bacon to their burgers. In fact, some of the best burger joints include bacon in their burgers, and you should too!
These oily, salty strips alleviate the taste of burgers, making them taste heavenly. You must ensure that you do not cause them to shrivel up when making bacon at home. The key is finding the right kind of bacon and cooking it properly.
8. Cheese
Can there really be a burger without some gooey cheesy goodness? Cheese is to burgers what peanut butter is to jelly- you cannot have one without the other.
If you are making vegan burgers, you can always include vegan cheese that will melt on the patty and help you make the best burger at home. Other cheese options include cheddar, provolone, brie, and blue cheese- some are heavier and saltier than others, but you can include whichever ones you want based on your preference.
9. Condiments
There are loads of condiments or sauces you can include on toasted buns, but each has its taste. Moreover, not all sauces go well with each other, so you must find the correct balance between sweet, sour, and spicy.
Condiments like relish add extra flavor and moisture, while garlic aioli makes the burger taste fantastic. You must make sure to season your condiments and make them as tangy or spicy as you want, as there is nothing worse than a dry burger.
Here are some common condiments that you can use on their own or mix them up to create your sauce at home:
- Thousand Island
- Mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Ketchup
- Relish
- Ranch
- Mayonnaise
10. Onions
Onions make the most versatile burger toppings. They can be used raw and chopped if you are looking for some spice and need a kick among some chili, cheese, and oily beef patty. You can also caramelize them for a sweet flavor- this works extremely well with garlic aioli.
Of course, let’s not forget how great fried onion strips and rings taste. You cannot make barbecue burgers without including them with the patty. Onions and pickles make a great combination so make sure to try them out.
Our Final Thoughts
When it comes to what toppings to put on a burger, the options are endless. You can go as creative or safe as you want. Some people only like the classic toppings in their burgers, such as onions and tomatoes, and that is completely okay. Do what works best for you!
