One of our favorite ways to get to know someone is to ask them what makes their dream burger. You'll quickly find out that there's a million different answers—all of them very true and perfect in their own way. Do you go plain ketchup and mustard? Go a sweet and savory route? Add a fried egg on top to make a cheesy breakfast burger!?! We say, the wilder the better, and we’ve rounded up 69 burger topping ideas to prove it—everything from complete burger recipes to our fave condiments that we know deserve a spot on your patties.
Let’s start with the basics—you gotta walk before you can run, which in the burger world means you’ve got to master the perfect cheeseburger before you can start, say, stuffing jalapeño poppers into it (EMOJI, see more ideas below). Our recipe has everything you need to know about the toppings and the patty itself to set you up for success.
Once you’ve got that down, it’s time to have some fun. There are some classic toppings that will always be crowd-pleasers, like the caramelized onions on our French onion soup burgers, the pineapple on our Maui burgers (trust us!), or the bacon on our BLT burgers, but truly, the sky’s the limit. Looking to branch out, but afraid to leave your comfort food faves behind? Try turning classic weeknight dinners into a burger, like we did in our pizza burgers, our chicken Parm burgers, or our steak frites burger, or stuffing your fave dips and apps like pimento cheese, Buffalo chicken dip, or Greek feta dip into your burgers.
Looking for true burger excellence? Don’t forget the SAUCE. Ketchup, mustard, and mayo are good starts, but don’t stop there. Try adding something a little sweet, like our mango chutney or our tomato jam; something tangy, like our remoulade or tartar sauce; or something tried-and-true, like our copycat Big Mac sauce or our copycat Chick-fil-A sauce. Be warned, though: Once you go saucy, you might never enjoy a plain burger again.
More of a hot dog fan? We’ve got you too—check out all of our favorite hot dog toppings to achieve BBQ perfection this summer.
Caprese Salad
A Caprese salad isn't just a side anymore! Instead, try topping your burger with everything you love about the summery salad, from fresh tomatoes and basil pesto to mozzarella and balsamic.
Get the Caprese Turkey Burger recipe.
Homemade Ketchup
Sweet, savory, tart ketchup is the perfect condiment for everything from French fries to burgers to hot dogs. Sure, you could buy a bottle of the stuff, but why not try your hand at homemade ketchup? If you want a version without high-fructose corn syrup, this recipe delivers.
Get the Homemade Ketchup recipe.
Shake Sauce
If you've ever eaten at Shake Shack and wondered just what makes their burgers so good, we've got the intel for you: It's the sauce! Specifically, how the pickles are incorporated into it. (Spoiler: They're blended.) Now you know, go forth and put that ish on everything.
Get the Copycat Shake Shack Burger recipe.
Mozzarella + Pepperoni
These were born when we just couldn't decide between a slice of pizza or a burger and never wanted to have to make the decision again. Like BLT sushi or pizza chicken, the combo just works.
Get the Pizza Burger recipe.
Classic Cheese
While we're all for getting super-creative, there is something SO satisfying about a classic burger topped with American cheese. You've gotta walk before you can fly, and this is the best place to start.
Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.
Thai Sweet Chili Turkey Burger
This Thai-inspired sweet chili turkey burger is just the break from boring you’ve been waiting for. Loaded inside and out, it’s got a ginger-, garlic-, and scallion-studded turkey patty, pickled spicy chiles and cucumbers, a bright, crisp cabbage slaw, and plenty of sweet chili mayo all on a shiny, fluffy brioche bun.
Get the Thai Sweet Chili Turkey Burger recipe.
Grilled Avocados
It's no secret that avocados are the best, but have you tried grilling them? Yes, seriously, avocados get even better when quickly cooked on the grill. Grilling avocados not only gives them a charred and smoky flavor, but it makes them incredibly tender and extra creamy, perfect for pairing with... well, anything!
Get the Grilled Avocados recipe.
Bánh Mì Topping
Turkey burgers can have a reputation for being boring, but when done right, they’re anything but. We amped up these burgers by incorporating the flavors of one of our favorite sandwiches: bánh mì. Pickled veggies, spicy mayo, and cilantro all top our seasoned turkey burgers for a cheap and easy dinner that couldn’t be more exciting.
Get the Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers recipe.
Green Hatch Chiles
When roasted over an open flame, green hatch peppers take on new life, going from crisp and verdant to velvety tender and seductively smoky. You end up with condiment gold, transforming the humble cheeseburger into a transcendent experience between two buns that must be tasted to be believed.
Get the Green Chile Cheeseburger recipe.
Classic Garlic Aioli
Aioli is often seen as boujie mayo which… it kinda is! But this Mediterranean sauce is slightly more luxe for a reason. First, the fresh garlic adds a delightful kick and complex savory flavor that regular mayo doesn’t typically have. Additionally this version is hand whipped and will result in a velvety texture that is perfect for spreading on a burger or for dipping your fries into.
Get the Classic Garlic Aioli recipe.
Mozzarella + Marinara + Basil
Chicken Parm's not just for a fancy dinner anymore. Instead, simmer ground chicken patties (or beef, no judgement!) in marinara for a chicken Parm burger that's saucy and cheesy—and SO much easier to pull off than the Italian classic.
Get the Chicken Parm Burgers recipe.
Lemon-Yogurt Sauce
The tzatziki-inspired sauce from our falafel-inspired burgers would be perfect on any burger, meatless or otherwise. If you do go with meat, may we suggest adding a little extra Mediterranean flavor in the way of crunchy roasted chickpeas too?
Get the Falafel Burgers recipe.
BBQ Sauce + Onion Rings
There are a ton of famous fast food burgers, but the Bacon Western Cheeseburger holds a special place in our hearts (and not just because it’s really fun to say). Take inspo from it and top any and all of your burgers with tangy BBQ sauce and crispy onion rings, and you'll be on your way to burger heaven.
Get the Copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western Cheeseburger recipe.
Grilled Tomatoes
Tomatoes are maybe the best part of summer, especially when you grill them. Not only does the char from the grill add a slight bitterness that balances a tomato’s acidity and sweetness really well, but the direct heat manages to bring some out some of their deep umami flavors without them falling completely apart.
Get the Grilled Tomatoes recipe.
Spicy Chipotle Sauce + Avocado + Red Onion
Chicken burgers are generally easy to throw together making them the perfect any-night dinner. These are made with chipotle peppers to give them a little extra kick and lots of flavor. Some of the adobo sauce from the canned chipotles is used to make a sauce for the burgers so that the smokiness really shines through. If you like heat, you're going to love these burgers.
Get the Spicy Chipotle Chicken Burgers recipe.
Feta-Yogurt Sauce
The feta yogurt sauce on our Greek(-ish) lamb burgers is EVERYTHING. Trust us, you're going to want to slather it on both sides of the bun. If you end up with extra, it also makes the perfect dip for raw veggies or pita chips.
Get the Lamb Burger recipe.
Tomato Chutney
It goes without saying that dishes that hail from the vast and diverse country of India are quite delicious, and that goes double for tomato chutney, a spiced condiment enriched with peanuts and flavored with fresh ginger, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne. Often served with dosa or uthappam, tomato chutney is also great served with grilled cheese sandwiches or on top of cheeseburgers.
Get the Tomato Chutney recipe.
Pineapple + Shichimi Aioli
Want to give your classic burger a Hawaiian-inspired upgrade? Take inspo from our Maui burgers, which add a round of sweet pineapple and a shichimi aioli (made with mayo and Japanese shichimi togarashi) to great effect.
Get the Maui Burgers recipe.
Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapeños)
Cowboy Candy (aka candied jalapeños) are spicy, tangy, salty, and sweet—the perfect condiment for a burger. The combination of fiery heat from the jalapeño and the nearly caramelized coating from the sugar is truly incredible.
Old Bay Sauce
Whether you go crab cake or classic beef, there's nothing to be crabby about with a burger topped with a creamy, tangy Old Bay sauce. You can even double-down on that savory Old Bay flavor by adding a healthy dab of Old Bay hot sauce or sprinkling the seasoning on the fries you serve alongside.
Get the Crab Cake Burger recipe.
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