Everyone likes their burger a little differently, but there are some toppings that are unarguably better than others. We’re pretty sure we’ve nailed the 10 best non-basic burger toppings. Ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce, and tomato have all been ignored. I love ketchup as much as the next guy, but there’s nothing special about it.
10 Pastrami
I’ve been claiming that pastrami is the new bacon since 2010, but apparently I don’t actually pull any weight. The deli meat is amazing on a burger but is unfortunately underutilized unless you live in Utah.
9 Roasted Chile
Putting a roasted chile on a grilled burger is the culinary equivalent of having a glass of scotch with a cigar. They compliment each other so well that each time you’ll ask yourself why you don’t do it more often.
8 Avocado
Avocados don’t exclusively belong to turkey burgers and obnoxiously health-conscious Californians. They’ll always have a place on a big juicy beef burger, especially with crispy peppered bacon.
7 Smoked Gouda
Cheese seems basic, so it took something special to make the list. Smoked gouda definitely fits the bill. It can turn even a mediocre burger into a melt in your mouth slice of heaven.
6 Chili
When it comes to comfort food, you can’t beat a chili cheeseburger. It doesn’t matter if it’s neat or sloppy, with or without beans. All chili is delicious on burgers.
5 Fried Onion
I’m not talking about the BK Lounge throwing an onion ring on the Rodeo Burger. I’m talking shoestring frizzled onions that add an awesome crunch to the top of a burger. Caramelized is nice, fried is better.
4 Aioli
Condiments tend to be boring, but aioli is essentially super mayo, and who doesn’t love that? Major bonus points to places that make sriracha or chipotle aioli sauce.
3 Jalapeno
It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for spice, and there’s not much better than biting into a raw jalapeno on top of a burger. The crisp heat makes every bite more enjoyable.
2 Fried Egg
A sunny side up egg has the power to turn any burger from a decent meal into a memorable feast. Having the yoke run all over every bite makes all but one other topping and condiment obsolete.
1 Bacon
If you need an explanation, you don’t deserve the bacon.