13 Toppings That Will Make Your Plant-Based Burger Shine

Hummus

If your hummus adventures so far have mostly involved using it as a dip for chips or pita, it’s time to elevate your culinary skills—this adaptable spread has so much more to offer. Enhance your plant-based burger with a flavorful addition that boosts the protein content and adds moisture to the dish, which can be essential at times. Depending on the ingredients in your patty, you can choose a variety of hummus to complement it. While the classic plain chickpea version works well, a chili variant can spice things up, and roasted red pepper can introduce a delightful smoky flavor.

Making your own hummus is incredibly simple and allows for complete customization. No matter which type you opt for, be sure to toss in a generous handful of fresh herbs to infuse your burger with their vibrant taste. Slather a hearty amount of hummus on the bun and savor the creamy texture and earthy flavor it brings to your meal.

Sun dried tomatoes

If you're seeking a bold burst of flavor for your plant-based burger, incorporating sun-dried tomatoes is an excellent choice. While fresh tomatoes certainly add a refreshing juiciness, dried tomatoes offer a completely different experience. Their robust umami flavor can create delightful pockets of taste that elevate your burger and keep your palate intrigued.

How you incorporate them into your burger will depend on the intensity of flavor you desire. Placing whole sun-dried tomatoes on top will deliver a powerful punch, but if you prefer a more subtle touch, consider slicing them into thin pieces or blending them into a sun-dried tomato paste. This approach gives you greater control over the flavor while still enjoying the rich essence these vegetables contribute. If you have an air fryer, you can even make your own dried tomatoes in just over an hour, which is especially useful if you've run out of the store-bought variety. Just remember to prepare a large batch so you have plenty left for sandwiches or as a tasty, healthy snack!

Guacamole

Is there anything that doesn't benefit from a dollop of guacamole? The answer is no! However, plant-based burgers can be especially elevated by this delicious dip-turned-dressing. The rich fats from the avocado provide a creamy consistency that your patties are yearning for, while the acidity from the other ingredients adds a refreshing zing to your taste buds. Incorporating guacamole also delivers a significant nutritional boost—thanks to the heart-healthy fats from the avocado and the vitamins from the colorful veggies, your body will feel just as satisfied as your palate. Whipping up your own guacamole takes just a few extra minutes and guarantees that your ingredients are as fresh as can be.

To personalize your guacamole and enhance its flavor, simply replace your usual chilis with pickled jalapeños. The vinegar will introduce an extra kick to your plant-based burger, while the typical intense heat from the chilis will be toned down, allowing the warm jalapeño flavor to shine without overwhelming spice. Once prepared, generously spread it on both burger buns before adding the patty and diving into this Mexican-inspired delight.

Beetroot

To infuse your plant-based burger with a delightful sweet yet earthy flavor, and to add a vibrant splash of color, incorporate some form of beetroot into the recipe. For those adhering to a plant-based lifestyle, this vegetable is essential for both its taste and nutritional benefits, ensuring your burger is as enjoyable as it is wholesome. The beauty of beets lies in their versatility; you can prepare them in a variety of delicious ways while having fun in the process.

If you crave a bold beetroot experience, simply layer thinly sliced raw beets on top of your burger patty for a satisfying crunch and a robust earthy taste. For a subtler option, roast some beetroot with olive oil and herbs to create a lovely balance of sweet and savory flavors. Feel free to experiment with different varieties of beets to elevate the visual appeal as well.

For an extra touch of sweetness, a beetroot and chili chutney serves as an excellent topping for your plant-based burger. Cook some beetroot with a splash of vinegar, onion, sugar, and your preferred level of chili heat to create a deliciously balanced condiment that enhances your burger. Just add a generous spoonful on top of the patty and savor the zesty burst of flavor it adds to your meal.

Pineapple

If you find pineapple on pizza a bit too divisive, consider adding it as a topping for your plant-based burger instead! The fruit's acidity will balance the savory taste of the patty, providing a tropical flair you never knew your sandwich was missing. For optimal flavor and texture, use fresh pineapple cut into rings and grill them. This cooking method will release the sugars and caramelize the edges, resulting in a delicious addition to your burger.

If that feels like too much, or if your burger already features sweet ingredients like squash or sweet potatoes, you can elevate the pineapple concept by making a spicy salsa instead. Combining onion, lime juice, and finely chopped chili will complement the sweet fruit beautifully, creating a zesty topping that pairs well with most plant-based burgers. Pineapple also harmonizes with other ingredients, so feel free to add barbecue sauce or crunchy lettuce on top as well.

Pickled red onion

Onions and burgers are a match made in heaven, but if you want to elevate your plant-based patty, consider adding pickled onions. Their tangy flavor and tender texture complement the savory burger beautifully, offering a freshness that fried onions simply can't provide. For a vibrant presentation, opt for red onions, which turn a lovely bright pink when pickled.

While you can easily purchase pickled onions, nothing beats the taste of homemade. The process is quite simple, though it does require letting the vegetables soak in the pickling liquid for several hours. If you're short on time, you can expedite the pickling by heating the brine before adding the onions; this will help them soften and absorb the flavors more quickly, allowing you to enjoy them on your burger in no time.

Once your pickled onions are ready, generously pile them on your patty along with any sauces or dressings. They will cut through the richness of creamy toppings and add a delightful tang that enhances your burger. Just be sure to store any leftovers in the fridge—if you can resist the temptation to eat them all at once!

Tapenade

If you're looking to infuse your plant-based burger with a hint of Mediterranean charm, think about incorporating olives in the form of a tapenade. This beloved condiment hails from the Provence region of southern France and is typically crafted from olives, capers, and anchovies. While it's often enjoyed on crusty bread, you can easily whip up a plant-based version that’s equally delicious. Tapenade enhances the earthy flavors of the patty and adds a salty kick that your burger might be craving. The robust flavor of black olives is beautifully complemented by the other ingredients in the paste, resulting in a smooth and indulgent topping bursting with flavor.

Creating a homemade tapenade is a breeze—just blend black olives, capers, and garlic, then mix in some lemon juice and olive oil. If you want to mimic the umami taste usually provided by fish, feel free to add a pinch of nutritional yeast. Once your tasty spread is ready, slather it onto your burger buns and top with some fresh, crunchy vegetables for a delightful textural contrast. Keep in mind that you won’t need to add salt to your other ingredients, as the tapenade will deliver plenty of seasoning.

Brussels sprouts

You might believe that Brussels sprouts are only meant for Christmas dinner, but these nutrient-dense vegetables deserve far more recognition. As cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts are packed with anti-inflammatory plant compounds, allowing you to reap their health benefits while still enjoying your favorite plant-based burger. The way you prepare your Brussels sprouts will influence the texture and flavor of your burger. For a satisfying crunch and the full essence of the sprouts, shred them and mix them in raw. If you're aiming for a mini-slaw that complements the other flavors, toss them in a bit of oil, seasoning, and a hint of mustard.

For a milder option, roast the sprouts to bring out their natural sweetness before slicing and layering them on your burger bun. No matter how you choose to prepare them, their earthy flavor and subtle bitterness will enhance your meal, providing a nice contrast to any sweet toppings you add. While they may seem like an unconventional choice, once you give them a try, your plant-based burger will be begging for that sprouty goodness.

Cashew cheese

Cheese is a timeless favorite for burgers, and plant-based recipes can enjoy it too. There are numerous vegan alternatives that allow you to savor the richness of cheese without any dairy. A fantastic base ingredient for your vegan cheese is cashew nuts, which provide both nutrition and flavor. This will result in a creamy, spreadable topping that can be enhanced with nutritional yeast for that delicious umami taste we all adore.

While there are various methods to create it, including fermenting the nuts for a gourmet touch, there's a simple way to prepare vegan cashew cheese that requires minimal effort. After soaking the nuts for 30 minutes, just blend them with onion and garlic powder, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast, adding water until you achieve your desired consistency. You can then incorporate any additional flavorings or spices to tailor the topping to your taste. Your dairy-free cheese will be ready to spread on your burger buns, elevating your plant-based patty with a homemade, healthy topping that delivers all the cheesy goodness you crave.

Carrot bacon

A fantastic burger topping that can easily be adapted for plant-based diets is bacon. Many individuals cite it as a reason for not giving up meat, as it adds a delightful saltiness and smokiness to burgers. Fortunately, these flavors can be replicated by creating your own carrot bacon. While it may not stand out on its own, when placed atop a burger with all the other savory elements, it provides a wonderful contrast.

Making vegan carrot bacon is quite simple, requiring just a vegetable peeler and a few pantry staples. Begin by slicing carrots into thin strips, then soak them in a marinade made of maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and smoked paprika. For an extra kick, you can include some liquid smoke to achieve that authentic smoky flavor. However, if you don’t have liquid smoke on hand, the smoked paprika will work just fine. Allow your carrot bacon to marinate for as long as you prefer—longer marination means more flavor—then cook it in an air fryer for about 10 minutes. Add the strips to your plant-based burger along with mustard, ketchup, and any other toppings you enjoy, and savor the smoky and salty notes that typically come from bacon.

Sweetcorn salsa

To brighten up your plant-based burger, consider whipping up a homemade sweetcorn salsa. This crunchy, zesty, and sweet topping offers a delightful blend of flavors that complements any burger, whether it's made from beans, vegetables, or grains. The first step in preparing your salsa is choosing the type of corn. If you're short on time, canned or frozen sweetcorn are quick and convenient options that deliver that classic flavor and crunch. However, for the best salsa experience, grill a corn on the cob and then cut off the kernels for a delicious smoky taste.

While your corn is cooking, get the rest of your salsa ingredients ready. Finely chop some tomatoes, red onion, and deseeded chili if you prefer a bit of spice. Squeeze in some lime juice and toss in a generous handful of cilantro. Now, you can generously spoon the salsa onto your plant-based burger, adding any sauce you like for an incredible burst of sweet and savory flavor in every bite.

Pesto

If you frequently enjoy plant-based meals, you likely appreciate a vegan pesto sauce on pasta or as a dressing for a fresh tomato salad. However, if you haven't yet tried it on your burger, now is the perfect opportunity. This traditional Italian sauce will infuse your dish with a lively burst of flavor, thanks to its herbaceous notes and nutty hints.

While store-bought plant-based pestos are readily available these days, making your own takes just a few minutes and offers a fresher, more aromatic taste. The main ingredients include garlic, pine nuts, a splash of lemon juice, and a generous handful of basil. To replicate the umami flavor typically provided by Parmesan cheese, simply add some nutritional yeast.

For that signature Instagram-worthy green hue, consider blanching the basil leaves by briefly immersing them in boiling water, then quickly transferring them to ice water. This technique helps the basil maintain its vibrant color after blending. Once your pesto is ready, generously spread it on your burger bun and top it with tomatoes or onions for an added burst of flavor and texture.

Apple slaw

Fruit might not be the first choice for topping your burger, but when it comes in the form of a crunchy, slightly sweet apple slaw, it’s a game changer. Plant-based burgers often have an earthy flavor, and the creamy tang of apple slaw complements it perfectly.

To create a robust apple slaw, thinly slice the crispiest apples you can find—Honeycrisp and Pink Lady are excellent choices—along with some red or white cabbage. Whip up a dressing using vegan mayo, apple cider vinegar, and a handful of finely chopped fresh herbs, then mix in the cabbage and apple. This slaw is highly versatile, so feel free to add some dried fruit for a touch of sweetness or grated carrot for a burst of color and extra crunch. Regardless of the type of plant-based burger you choose—whether it’s a hearty bean burger or a classic Quorn patty—the zesty apple slaw will provide a wonderfully unexpected burst of flavor with that first juicy bite.