12 Things You Didn’t Know Would Work as Burger Toppings

Peanut

What do you mean, you’ve never topped a burger with peanut butter? It gives the burger a creamy, nutty flavour, and - depending on the type of peanut butter you use - some crunch. Peanut butter works brilliantly with bacon, too. Or you could go for a Thai-flavoured burger topping, like Kristin at the blog Iowa Girl Eats has done. Her Thai Turkey Burgers with Peanut Sauce include aromatic ingredients like soy sauce, coriander, spring onions and chilli.

Pineapple

One of those fruits that’s made it’s way into our savoury foods, pineapple can be found in sandwiches, pizza and now burgers. Yep - pineapple gives the burger a tropical sweetness, especially when grilled until just golden and then placed on top. Cheryl, from the blog TidyMom created these Aloha BBQ Sliders with beef, and ingredients such as barbecue sauce and Swiss cheese. If you’re after a vegetarian burger, pineapple also works well with mushroom burgers, along with a little Teriyaki sauce.

Marmite

OK, so Marmite divides the nation, we know - but have you ever had it on a burger? A spoonful of glossy Marmite gives the burger an intensely savoury kick. I mean, come on. Marmite’s always being added to Bolognese sauces and Shepherd’s Pie. If the flavour of Marmite is still too intense for you just spooned onto your burger, then you can also add a little to the meat mixture instead before grilling.

Egg

Egg works as a burger topping for the same reasons that it works alongside sausages and steaks. With the egg just lightly fried, so the yolk is still runny, you add moisture to the burger, with the rich, silky yolk dripping down the sides as you eat. So what, it’s messy - just grab a couple of napkins. Again - insanely good with bacon as an extra topping - or try this Brazilian Burger with Egg - created by Carrian from the blog Oh Sweet Basil.

Peaches

Yes, you read that correctly. And sweet, fragrant peaches work in the same way as pineapple by giving a contrast to the savoury, grilled meat. It sweetens up your burger. Shawnda, from the blog Confections of a Foodie Bride created a beautiful Spicy Bourbon and Peach Chutney that she serves with burgers - but says it works brilliantly with fish, as well.

Apple

Apple isn’t weird when it’s served with pork, or as part of a meaty ploughman’s lunch, so it shouldn’t be any weirder as a burger topping, really. You can add chopped apple to coleslaw and pile it on your burger, or do as Stephanie, from the blog MaySquared has done for her Johnny Appleseed Burger: sauté apple slices in a little butter and add, with caramelised onions, to your burger.

Kale

Another way to up your intake of veggies while enjoying a burger at the same time. Just pile a handful of kale chips onto your burger, with some blue cheese. The kale chips are crispy and have a salty sweetness that contrasts with the meat in the burger. To make kale chips, just heat your oven to gas mark 6/200ºC and bake kale leaves on a sheet of greaseproof paper for 8-10 minutes, until crisp. Sprinkle with a little salt before serving.

Feta

A creamy white, salty cheese, Feta is not exactly weird - it’s crumbled into salads everywhere - but perhaps not well-known as a burger topping. It has a milky coolness that pairs well with lamb burgers especially, but also vegetarian burgers made from aubergine or sweet potato. Try these Greek Burgers from the blog Live Laugh Rowe, where turkey burgers are topped with feta, olive paste and tzatziki sauce.  

Guacamole

A spoonful of cold guacamole is great on burritos and tortilla chips - but in a hot, juicy burger? Well, yes, it works really well. You have the cool avocado, fragrant lime and coriander and some spice from the chillies - all of which combine to cut any greasiness from the meat. Like these Jalapeño Cheddar Turkey Burgers from the blog Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.

Spinach

We might just reach for lettuce in our burgers, but don’t underestimate the flavour from a tangle of spinach wilted in olive oil and chopped garlic. This cheeky little topping adds moisture and a slightly tangy, earthy flavour to your burger. Great with all burgers whether vegetarian or meaty - be generous with it.

Brie… and Cherries

Two unusual burger flavours for the price of one. These Turkey Burgers with Roasted Cherries and Brie are a great idea, from the blog Taste, Love and Nourish. Soft brie just oozes on a hot burger and the cherries give a tartness that cuts any greasiness from the cheese and meat.

Banana

Peeled, sliced and slightly grilled, banana doesn’t taste as strange as you’d think on a meaty burger. It imparts a slightly toffee-sweetness while the salty bacon and savoury beef remind you that you’re not really eating dessert. A flavour that’ll remind you of the sweet-salty smell of the fairground. Definitely give it a try. Fantastic with crunchy peanut butter, too.