59 Crazy-Delicious Burger Toppings You Need to Try

Whiskey Bacon Jam

You can slather this smoky bacon jam on pretty much anything: biscuits, in a peanut butter and jelly or as a burger topping. It lasts only a week in the fridge, so I freeze small amounts for a quick snack with crackers. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

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Pickled Red Onions

Everyone should have a jar of this pickled red onion recipe in their refrigerator at all times. I put them on everything and they keep for weeks, if they last that long. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

Fill out your meal with a few of these sides for hamburgers.

Onion Rings & Lemon Sauce

Falafel burgers mark the first recipe I created myself. The crunchy onion rings and zippy lemon sauce are over-the-top burger toppings on this already delicious sandwich. —Nicole Mederos, Hoboken, New Jersey

For more inspiration, check out our best hamburger recipes.

Gruyere & Egg

These burgers were a huge hit with our friends during football season. Regular mayo can easily be substituted for the garlic aioli for the burger topping if desired. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia

Keep ’em coming! Here are our favorite sandwiches for a crowd.

Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)

If you love spicy food like we do, then these tasty candied jalapenos—also known as cowboy candy—are for you! You can save the syrup to baste roasted chicken or grilled salmon, or mix it into salad dressings. Jars of this dynamite condiment make a great gift. —Rita Ladany, Edison, New Jersey

Buttery Whiskey-Glazed Pearl Onions

I always have pearl onions on hand to add to stews and vegetable dishes—they're great pickled, too. Every Thanksgiving, I make this glazed onion dish. It can easily be made ahead and reheated. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Celery, Blue Cheese & Hot Sauce

The celery and blue cheese dressing burger toppings help tame the hot sauce on this recipe. For an even lighter version, pass on the buns and serve with lettuce leaves, sliced onion and chopped tomato. —Mary Pax-Shipley, Bend, Oregon

Apple Slaw

A friend from church gave me this apple coleslaw recipe that her grandmother handed down to her. The flavors complement each other well, while the fruit creates a refreshing change of pace from the usual coleslaw. —Jan Myers, Atlantic, Iowa

Surf & Turf Burgers

Take one all-American patty and load it up Alaska-style with cocktail sauce, lump crabmeat and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Homemade Sauerkraut

You only need two ingredients (and a little patience) to make fresh, zippy homemade sauerkraut at home. Put down that jar and get those brats ready! —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

Chili

Big, bold chili and french-fried onions are a fun alternative to the classic burger toppings of ketchup and mustard. The patties are easy to assemble, making this a great weeknight sandwich. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona

Hoisin Sauce

I wanted to make turkey burgers a lot more fun. On a whim, I added hoisin sauce, gingerroot and garlic as burger toppings. Now we eat them about once a week! —Ashley Gayle, Ellicott City, Maryland

Romesco Sauce

Whether you pair it with fish, roasted veggies or use it as a burger topping, this flavor-packed romesco sauce will take your dish to a new level. —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa

Grilled Italian Meatball Burgers

I just love these burgers! They're a big hit with kids and adults. I serve them with sliced green peppers, tomato and onion slices and a jar of crushed red peppers on the side for adults. Kids enjoy them best "as is." —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

Feta & Cucumber Sauce

My friends always request these tasty chicken burgers. I sometimes add olives to punch up the flavor! The sandwiches are exceptional with the mayonnaise-cucumber burger topping. —Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio

Bourbon Peach Jam

Bourbon has been popular at our house since we visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail a few years ago. Every bite of this jam reminds me of that fun trip. —Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas

If you’re still craving something sweet, give one of these 4th of July desserts a try.

French Fries & Coleslaw

Take one all-American burger and top it up Pennsylvania-style with French fries, oil-and-vinegar coleslaw and tomatoes on thick-sliced Italian bread.

Chutney, Mustard & Lime Sauce

The secret to this recipe is the tangy mango chutney burger topping, but the arugula adds a special wow to the plate. I get lots of compliments when I serve these at summer or fall cookouts. — Jeanne Lueders, Waterloo, Iowa

Pickled Sweet Peppers

I love to can my homegrown produce. I call this recipe Summer in a Jar. The peppers have a nice combination of tart and spicy flavors. —Edna Clemens, West Branch, Michigan

Horseradish Cream Sauce

This zippy horseradish cream sauce is the perfect accompaniment to your roast beef dinner, mixed into a salad dressing or used as a burger topping. You’ll get so many compliments! —A Sides, Rosedale, Mississippi

Jalapeno Popper Burgers

What do you get when you combine a jalapeno popper and a classic burger? This fantastic recipe! It takes the essential components of a popper and encases them in a juicy patty for a burst of flavor in every bite. —Jo Davison, Naples, Florida

Cranberry Ketchup

This recipe was handed down to me from my mother. It may sound like a strange combination of flavors, but once you try it, you won’t want to go back to regular ketchup as a burger topping! —Jerome Wiese, Bemidji, Minnesota

Pineapple & Teriyaki Sauce

I love teriyaki and tropical fruit, so it just seemed natural for me to combine them as a burger topping. My family frequently requests this unique Hawaiian pineapple burger recipe. It’s a nice change of pace! —Joi McKim-Jones, Waikoloa, Hawaii

Pastrami & Mustard

Take one all-American patty and load it up New York-style with horseradish cream sauce, pastrami and mustard on rye bread.

Pickled Carrots & Daikon

This recipe is inspired by a pickle my family and I enjoyed at a local Asian restaurant. It is a delicious side to roasted meats as well as a tasty sandwich or burger topping. You won’t miss the high fat dressing or mayonnaise. —Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Spicy Bavarian Beer Mustard

Here's a gift that has bite! This spicy beer mustard is great with pretzels or as a condiment for bratwurst. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Buffalo Mayo

Ever-popular Buffalo wings inspired the flavors of this tangy, amped-up burger. The zippy mayonnaise burger topping gives the recipe some kick. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

Pickled Sweet Onions

These slightly crunchy pickled onions are not only a great gift for Christmas, but also a terrific contribution to a backyard barbecue as a topping for burgers and hot dogs. —Laura Winemiller, Delta, Pennsylvania

Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

My family is stationed in Italy with my husband, Lt. William Robert Blackman. William grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and I’m from Texas, so the dish that spells "home" for us is a good ol' barbecue. I have my own recipe for barbecue sauce that we like to pour all over sliced brisket. Eating it reminds us of weekend barbecues with our families. —Tina Blackman, Naples, Italy

Gorgonzola & Jalapeno Slices

On a whim, we mixed homemade jalapeno jam into ground beef patties, then added some burger toppings of caramelized onions and tangy Gorgonzola cheese. Fabulous! —Becky Mollenkamp, St. Louis, Missouri

Pesto Hamburgers

Purchase pre-shaped patties in the meat section of your local grocery store for these tasty pesto-topped burgers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Gravy & Cranberry Sauce

Do you have leftover cranberry sauce? Put it to good use with these hearty, yummy turkey burgers, and finish it up with some sweet potato fries. Voila! Dinner is done. —Nancy Bourget, Fort Hood, Texas

Tomatillo Relish

I have a very hearty tomatillo plant in my garden. To use up the abundant produce, I decided to make a relish. You can use it as a dip or as a condiment on eggs, hot dogs, meat loaf or burgers. It has an addictive taste. —Deb LaBosco, Foley, Minnesota

Garlic Lemon Butter

This tangy flavored butter offers a nice change from plain butter and gives a refreshing new taste to an ear of grilled corn. When I serve this on the side during fresh corn season, the same question always gets asked—”What’s in the butter that makes it so delicious?” —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania

Zucchini Pickles

Preserve garden-fresh zucchini for longer by making crunchy zucchini pickles. —Susan Court, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera

I've been living in Chicago for the last 12 years and have grown to love the spicy giardiniera served at restaurants. So I developed my own to use at home. We love it on everything from eggs to sandwiches and even pizza! —Andrea Quiroz, Chicago, Illinois

End-of-Summer Relish

My family loves this relish and wants it on the table for every meal. My garden can barely keep up with demand.—Vivian Conner, Serbring, Florida

Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles

I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles, too. I think you'll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois

Salsa

I finally invented a healthy quinoa burger that wasn’t dry and crumbly or really boring. These fit the bill—even my grandkids prefer them over hamburgers. And with salsa as a the burgers’ topping, they taste like chips and dip in a burger! —KT Rehrig, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Spiced Maple Mustard

Have grill masters on your Christmas list? Consider giving them a special homemade mustard flavored with maple syrup, allspice and turmeric. Everyone just loves it. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Peach Mayo

The unique burger topping of fruit and mayo puts this recipe over the top. You can also substitute nectarines for the peaches. They’re both delicious! —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

Baked Beans & Onion Burgers

Take one all-American patty and load it up Massachusetts-style with Boston baked beans and caramelized onions on slices of Boston brown bread.

Sweet Onion & Red Bell Pepper Topping

As soon as the spring Vidalia onions hit the market, this is one of the first recipes I make. I use it on hot dogs, bruschetta, cream cheese and crackers. It is so versatile. —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida

Pickled Brussels Sprouts

This year, when I asked my brother what he wanted for his 31st birthday, he answered, "pickled Brussels sprouts." I had never even tasted a pickled Brussels sprout before. It's hard for me to say "no" to my younger brother, so he got his wish and thought the Brussels sprouts were delicious! —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland

Green Chile Burgers

Take one all-American patty and load it up New Mexico-style with smoky cheese and chopped green chiles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ham & Cheese

My mom would make these Cuban burgers when we would visit her in Florida. They are a take on the real Cuban sandwich. My kids love them. My boys could eat two of these monsters in one sitting. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California

Fried Onions

This juicy burger only takes minutes to cook in your air fryer. I enjoy topping these burgers with crispy bacon and fried onions. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Fry Sauce

Want a change of pace from ketchup? Try fry sauce! You’ll often find this spiced-up blend of ketchup and mayo in Utah and Idaho. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Spicy Ketchup

When this homemade ketchup is bubbling on the stove, the aroma takes me back to childhood. One taste and I’m home again. —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii

Garlic Basil Butter

Instead of serving plain butter alongside an assortment of fresh breads, prepare this herb-laden whipped butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Bacon & Goat Cheese

Every bite of this burger is a rich and decadent combination of sweet and savory. If you can’t find maple bacon in your local grocery store, use regular bacon and add 1-1/2 tablespoons maple syrup to the spinach-goat cheese mixture in the food processor. —Sharon Michelle Anglin, Livingston, Montana

Yo Potato Burgers

Take one all-American patty and load it up Idaho-style with Kettle-style potato chips and onion dip.

Homemade Spicy Hot Sauce

I created this spicy recipe one day using what I had available from my garden: hot peppers, carrots, onions and garlic. The carrots make this recipe stand out. —Carolyn Wheel, Fairfax, Vermont

Thousand Island Dressing

These portobello mushroom burgers are a hit every time I serve them. They are filling but not heavy. The sauerkraut, garlic cloves and onions can be made ahead to cut down on prep time. —Lisa Benoit, Cookeville, Tennessee

Asian Turkey Sliders

We make weeknights fun with easy grilled turkey sliders. I like to serve them with tangy slaw on the side. —Trinity Saffer, Golden, Colorado

Mushroom & Swiss

This mushroom Swiss burger recipe is perfect to make on the stovetop or the grill. Heaping with mushrooms and the wonderful flavor of Swiss cheese, these burgers are a family favorite. —James Bowles, Ironton, Ohio

Still hungry? Try whipping up a batch of these sandwiches for a crowd.