33 Exciting Alternative Burger Toppings

The choice of toppings can make or break a burger so it is crucially important to get them right.

This is part of the reason why so many people will stick to what they know and just throw a few tomatoes, some lettuce and a slice of cheese on top of the patties.

Don’t be one of these people, try out some vibrant and exciting toppings which can take your burgers to the next level in terms of texture and taste that are sure to leave an amazing impression on your friends and family once they try them. 

Here are some fun and exciting ways you can spice up a burger by mixing in some delicious toppings. 

1. Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

It was only a matter of time until people began mixing some spicy Mexican street corn, also known as elote, into a meaty burger to give it more of a prominent kick that is made that much smoother when fused with some light mayo. 

If you fancy yourself a real spice enthusiast, you could even add a few dashes of hot sauce to really drive the heat up in this burger.

2. Pretzels

When using some small pretzels in a burger, it helps give it a more crunchy texture which goes perfectly with just a slice or two of rich cheddar cheese.

You can even add a little bit of mustard to really bring out as much flavor out of the burger as possible and create a taste that everyone is sure to remember when they take even a single bite. 

3. Sauteed Peppers And Onions 

This recipe uses a mixture of some fresh basil, provolone cheese and some delicate sauteed peppers to make the meaty patties taste just a bit lighter so that you can continue feeling energized and refreshed even after you finish the main dish, perfect when you don’t want the burgers to feel too heavy after eating. 

4. Buffalo Hot Sauce

If you’ve never tried some smokey buffalo hot sauce on a burger, then you’re missing out on one of the tastiest and most addictive compliments to a burger and essentially any BBQ food that you can find. 

Paired with some blue cheese and some crunchy lettuce to add some chilled texture to even out the hot sauce, buffalo sauce is an easy addition to a burger but one that makes all the difference, perfect for when you are in a hurry. 

5. Caramelized Onions And Blue Cheese 

The beauty of this burger and the toppings added to it is just how filling it is, ensuring you won’t need to make several at once in case you get hungry.

The smooth and thick texture of the caramelized onions and distinctive blue cheese creates a blend that is at once delicious and on the other hand can leave you satisfied once you finish.

6. Grilled Pineapple

This Hawaiin inspired burger recipe uses some crunchy grilled pineapples to add a much more tropical flavor to the patties and the overall taste.

This is the perfect topping for when the sun is making an appearance more often and you want something in between being fruity and meaty to enjoy outside.

7. Caribbean Mango 

Another tropical topping but this time coming with tastes from the Caribbean, the sweetness of fresh mango helps to lighten up the burger while making it very refreshing for when you need to cool down in the heat. 

The tangy teriyaki sauce also helps to make this burger stand out by giving it a mild spicy kick to enhance the flavor overall.

8. Goat Cheese

Goat cheese could just be the easiest topping to add onto a burger, however this does not mean it’s not as tasty as the other toppings, in fact the creaminess of the goat cheese can help mix up the flavor entirely, especially when paired with some crispy bacon on top of the patties.

9. Pickled Red Onion

It’s incredible what just a few red onions can add to a burger, and we don’t just mean beef burgers, they can also spice up turkey burgers and help elevate their flavor a lot more especially when mixed with some spicy jalapenos. 

If you’re a fan of just a little bit of spice and a slight tangy kick, this is definitely not a topping you want to pass up on. 

10. Whiskey Bacon Jam

If you don’t mind taking a bit of time to prepare this delicious topping and definitely if you’re a fan of the warm and comforting taste of some whiskey, this topping is the perfect choice to thrown onto a burger being a sweet, sticky and a delightful addition to essentially any food so you can even store it for future use on other meals.

11. Macaroni Salad 

While on the surface this may seem like a strange combination, once you take a bite out of a light and creamy macaroni resting on top of the patties of a burger you’ll wonder why you never thought of trying this out before.

Not to mention the macaroni salad provides quite a few healthy benefits which makes the burger even lighter to snack on and enjoy.

12. Gruyere And Egg 

Adding a fried egg to a burger is nothing new, however when combined with the rich, creamy, salty and nutty flavor of gruyere cheese it helps to even out the flavor of the egg which more often than not can be quite overpowering when part of a burger.

13. Apple Slaw 

Rather than simply adding in some coleslaw to a burger, try out this apple coleslaw recipe which combines raisins, peppers and some chopped up celery and onions to create a delicious blend and a vibrant switch up from regular coleslaw that possesses a nice tangy apple taste.

14. Crab And Cocktail 

The lump crabmeat and seafood cocktail sauce in this recipe creates a delicious topping on a burger for those who want a bit more of a seafood taste to enjoy alongside the patties.

Finish off with some lime wedges to add in some sweetness and this burger will be bursting with a variety of flavors. 

15. Hoisin Sauce 

For those lovers of spice who want the maximum amount of flavor that is sure to keep your taste buds satisfied, the hoisin sauce as well as the ginger root and garlic in this recipe create an incredibly tangy and almost smokey flavor which is a nice change of pace from the regular barbecue sauce.

16. Spaghetti Sauce 

Spaghetti sauce is incredibly popular among kids and is a nice switch up from the standard tomato sauce.

This recipe mixes it with some mozzarella and dried thyme, however feel free to mix in any cheese and spices you feel would compliment this creamy sauce the most.

17. Bourbon Peach 

For a topping that really makes you feel like you’ve just stepped into a Southern five star restaurant, try using a few sliced up peaches and a couple of tablespoons of sweet and tasty bourbon to create a delicate mixture of flavors that go so well with the patties, you could swear they could only be made by the finest of chefs.

18. Horseradish 

Creamy horseradish not only has a few health benefits including being packed full of antioxidants to help the body stay refreshed and protected, it is also noticeably strong and spicy in taste which makes it the perfect addition to a burger for those who can’t get enough of some spicy heat.

19. Guacamole 

The fresh and ripe taste of avocado has never tasted so good as when placed onto a patty and enjoyed with some onions and tomatoes as part of a burger.

With just a little bit of bitterness, this is a quick and easy topping that is just far too good to pass up.

20. Pickled Carrots 

Incredibly low in fat and a juicy alternative to some tomatoes or mayo, these pickled carrots are an Asian cuisine that are delicious when served alongside some meat and as part of a burger.

They are not too difficult to prepare and with how much they elevate the overall meaty taste of the burger, they are well worth it. 

21. Candied Bacon 

We have all tried some deliciously crispy straks of bacon on a burger, however by sprinkling some brown sugar over them you can make them a lot sweeter and a little more crunchy which gives them an entirely different flavor and cuts through a large amount of the smokiness which can often overpower the overall taste of the burger. 

22. Fresh Herb Compound Butter 

Compound butter is primarily used to spruce up meat that is a bit too dry and in danger of tasting too stale.

This makes it a perfect topping to a burger and additionally you only need a very small amount to make the burger more creamy so if you prepare it, you can store and save it for other meat based meals you have in the future.

23. Roasted Peppers And Feta Cheese 

The creamy and tangy feta cheese helps to bolster the flavor of the roasted peppers to make this a delightful topping to any burger that contains just a little hint of spice for when you want your burgers to have a bit of kick, but don’t want to just resort to some spicy barbeque sauce. 

Garnish with some chopped parsley to add a bit of extra crunch to the burger and to help even out the flavors so it is a little more mild depending on your preferences.

24. Quick Pickled Radishes 

This topping is a little milder than horseradish, however it still possesses a very distinct and slightly savory taste that is a joy to bite into when part of a burger.

Quick, easy and a delight to prepare, you really can’t go wrong with preparing some pickled radishes as part of a burger 

25. Cranberry Sauce 

A lot of us will wait until Christmas time to start getting out and using the cranberry sauce, however don’t let this turn you away from using some cranberry sauce as a delightful compliment to both beef and turkey burgers. 

If you like the sound of adding some sherry to make the cranberry flavor stand out even more, try it out and see whether you prefer the flavor with it mixed in or not. 

26. Garlic Chips 

While it might originally seem like a strange addition, garlic chips can help add some much needed creaminess and a moist texture to a burger, not to mention also packing quite a crunch which keeps the burger from tasting too bland or dry.

When homemade they also contain a good amount of antioxidants and vitamins to help our body fight off diseases. 

27. Jalapeno Cheese 

Jalapeno is definitely one of the most popular toppings many of us will add to a burger, however when made into a cheesy layering the flavor becomes a lot milder but still has a very distinct and slight spice that can help keep the burger moist without ruining the overall taste and flavor, perfect for when you like the taste of jalapeno but don’t want the full amount of heat that it possesses. 

28. Panko 

Panjo bread crumbs are much crispier than regular breadcrumbs since they are bigger and also absorb much less oil which makes them an excellent currency addition that can fit into any burger.

Being ready to serve in just a few minutes, you certainly won’t want to miss out on this crunchy and unique panko topping.

29. Chimichurri 

Chimcihurri brings together a whole range of herbs along with a dash of garlic and olive oil that works as an all-purpose condiment that contrasts nicely with the fatty burger patty and adds a bit more of a lighter but still delicious taste that you might want to prepare in bulk, just in case your guests start asking for just a little bit more. 

30. Kimchi 

This Korean delicacy is essentially a cabbage mixed with a few onions and chillies along with a hint of pungent spice to make this one of the go to toppings when it comes to adding some much needed spice to an otherwise dry and stale burger. 

31. Peanut Sauce 

Peanut sauce is so thick and creamy that many of us who have tried it would consider it a must try and there is no better excuse to use it than slathering it on top of some patties as part of a burger.

Garnish with some scallions, fresh chillies and cilantro to finish this burger off the right way.

32. Curry Paste 

Because curry paste is quite concentrated it means that a little will go a long way, so even a small amount on top of a patty will bring out the maximum amount of flavor.

You can also mix it with a little bit of ketchup, mayo or mustard if you like the taste of these condiments and want to fit them in while mixing up their taste just a little bit. 

33. Hoisin Sauce 

This Chinese condiment is often used in many Asian barbecue sauces and is packed full of flavor with a naturally sticky texture that rests elegantly on top of the patties in a burger.

Next time you catch yourself reaching for the bottle of ketchup to brighten up your burger, consider using this hoisin sauce as a delicious and tasty alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

When it comes to preparing the perfect burger, the toppings you choose are the most important part as with too little you can leave the burger to be stale and a little boring, however with too many it can overpower the meaty goodness that we all know burgers for.

Experiment with a few of these fun and exciting toppings to test which works the best when it’s time to sizzle up some burgers again.