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What We’re Putting on Our Burgers This Summer

Take a break from lettuce, tomato, and onion and try pickled avocado, grilled scallions, or red pepper relish on for size. 
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Published July 21, 2022.

What We’re Putting on Our Burgers This Summer

While there’s certainly nothing wrong with a standard lettuce/tomato/onion-adorned burger, by the time you’ve made it midway through grilling season, you might be craving just a little more variety in the toppings department. Enter: This list of our all-time favorite burger embellishments. Whether you’re working with a beef, turkey, or salmon base, and whether you have five minutes or a few hours before burger building time, you’re sure to find your patty’s perfect match among these bright sauces, colorful relishes, and savory umami boosters.

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Pickled Avocado

For a creamy topping that also contributes tang, we pickled an unlikely candidate: avocado. 

Here’s our method:

1. Combine ½ cup distilled white vinegar, ½ cup water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 2 teaspoons table salt in medium bowl.

2. Whisk until sugar and salt are dissolved, about 30 seconds. 

3. Submerge 1 ripe but firm avocado, halved, pitted, and sliced ¼ inch thick, in the liquid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. 

4. Drain and pat dry before using.

Chipotle Mayonnaise

For a burger topping that comes together quickly but packs a punch, look no further than this creamy, chile-spiked spread.

Here’s our method:

1. Combine 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons sour cream, 2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a bowl. 

2. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Peppered Bacon

The only thing better than bacon on a burger? Black-pepper-spiked bacon on a burger. While these savory strips are a standout paired with aged cheddar and our juicy pub-style burgers, it’s hard to think of a burger that wouldn’t be improved by its smoky spiciness.

Here’s our method:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. 

2. Arrange 6 slices bacon on rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper

3. Place second rimmed baking sheet on top of bacon and bake until bacon is crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. 

4. Transfer bacon to paper-towel-lined plate and cool. 

Caramelized Onion Jam

Onion jam is a test kitchen favorite—its savory sweetness and rich color belie its simplicity, and its versatile flavor and thick, spreadable texture make it a delicious addition to any burger.

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Grilled Scallion Topping

A dollop is all it takes to dress up your patty: This cross between a slaw and a sauce features smoky grilled scallions, tangy buttermilk, and cider vinegar. (Want an earthier, even more umami-forward take on this formula? Try the grilled shiitake mushroom version.) 

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Microwave-Fried Shallots

Fried shallots deliver bursts of crunch and savory flavor, but they're easy to overcook and require constant stirring. We found a way to make the method foolproof and more hands-off: Frying the alliums in the microwave.

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Spicy Red Pepper Relish

For acidity and added sweetness, we used equal parts white vinegar and sugar, which tempered the chiles’ heat. A quick simmer on the stovetop let the sweet and spicy notes of the relish meld.

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Potato Burger Buns

Could the old-fashioned trick of adding stodgy mashed potatoes to bread really create rolls with the lightest, most tender texture?
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Equipment Review

Grill Spatulas

A good grill spatula should be agile and sturdy and should keep cooks’ hands cool.
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Burger Presses

Burger presses promise to make patty preparation quicker, with more consistently shaped results than making them by hand.
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