15 Creative BBQ Burger Toppings to Upgrade Your Next Cookout

best grilling accessories and burger flavor boosters at DDR BBQ Supply

Break the Ketchup-Mustard Habit: It's Time to Upgrade Your Burger

Most people don’t think twice about what they put on their burger. Lettuce, tomato, onion, maybe a slice of cheddar and a squirt of ketchup—that’s the default. And it’s fine. But if you’re serious about BBQ, about grilling, about meat that took hours to smoke or patties ground fresh that morning, you owe your burger more than the basics.

This post is all about BBQ burger toppings that go way beyond the usual. Some are sweet, some are spicy, some are crunchy, some are rich—but every one of them was chosen to make a burger worth remembering. Whether you're feeding the neighborhood or just dialing it up for Saturday night, these toppings will take your BBQ burgers from decent to unforgettable.

Candied Bacon
Crispy Shallots
Pimento Cheese
Bacon Jam
Peach Jalapeño Slaw
Pork Rind Crumble
Grilled Pineapple
Bacon-Onion Jam
Smoked Brie
Pickled Mustard Seeds
BBQ Baked Beans
Hot Honey
Fried Green Tomato
Smoked Corn & Hatch Chile Mix
Burnt End Crust Bits

1. Candied Bacon

Crispy, sweet, smoky—this isn’t just bacon. Brush thick-cut slices with brown sugar, a little black pepper, and bake until caramelized. Want to go further? Add a splash of Apple Habanero Rib Candy before serving.

2. Crispy Shallots

Think onion rings, but thinner and more refined. Slice shallots into rings, soak in buttermilk, dredge in seasoned flour, and fry until golden. Add crunch and mild onion bite without overpowering the patty.

3. Pimento Cheese

This Southern classic melts into the patty like no slice of cheddar can. Spread it thick on the top bun and let it run down over a hot brisket or pork patty. Try adding chopped jalapeños for kick.

4. Bacon Jam

Savory, smoky, and slightly sweet, bacon jam is a rich spread made from slow-cooked bacon, onions, brown sugar, and vinegar. It adds deep umami flavor to burgers, sandwiches, and grilled meats. Shop our bacon jam HERE.

5. Peach Jalapeño Slaw

Fresh peach, shredded cabbage, pickled jalapeño, lime juice, and a little honey. It’s sweet, acidic, spicy, and crunchy—everything you want in a burger topper that brightens up fatty meat.

6. Pork Rind Crumble

Skip the lettuce. Crushed pork rinds add salt, crunch, and a smoky backbone. Mix with a little hot rub or paprika and use it like you’d use crispy onions.

7. Grilled Pineapple

Sear thick pineapple slices on the grill until charred. The caramelized sugars enhance the patty, especially with spicy or smoky rubs. Great with pulled pork burgers or chorizo patties.

8. Bacon Salsa

Our bacon salsa blends smoky bacon with zesty tomatoes and bold spices—available in both sweet and spicy varieties for dipping, topping, or grilling. Check it out HERE.

9. Smoked Brie

Brie on a burger? It works—especially when lightly smoked. Soft, melty, and buttery. Try it on a lamb burger with fig jam or caramelized onions.

10. Pickled Mustard Seeds

These pop in your mouth and add tang without the aggressive sharpness of straight yellow mustard. Easy to make with vinegar, sugar, and mustard seeds. Great with beef, pork, or bison burgers.

11. BBQ Baked Beans

Yes, on the burger. Spoon on a thick layer of beans made with brown sugar, bacon, and smoked paprika. It’s messy—but worth every bite.

12. Hot Honey

A drizzle of hot honey on a bacon cheeseburger adds just enough sweetness and burn to pull the whole build together. Check out our hot honey HERE.

13. Fried Green Tomato

Crispy, tangy, and Southern as it gets. Use it in place of a raw tomato slice. Serve it with pimento cheese, bacon, or a buttermilk-based ranch sauce.

14. Smoked Corn & Hatch Chile Mix

Char corn and chopped Hatch chiles on the grill. Toss with a little butter and salt. Spoon over a cheddar-topped patty. Adds sweetness, heat, and smoky depth. Works beautifully with turkey or brisket burgers.

15. Burnt End Crust Bits

Save the crusty bark from your brisket or pork shoulder and chop it fine. Sprinkle over your burger for meaty crunch and flavor that tastes like hours of smoke in every bite.

Putting It All Together: Build Combinations That Work

Protein	Topping Combo	Sauce & Bun Suggestion
Beef	Pimento cheese, crispy shallots, BBQ jam	Brioche + Climax Sauce
Pork	Peach slaw, hot honey, grilled pineapple	Hawaiian bun + spicy mustard
Lamb	Smoked brie, pickled mustard seeds, onion jam	Ciabatta + fig glaze
Brisket	Burnt end crumble, BBQ beans, cheddar	Pretzel bun + spicy ketchup

Ready to Break the Burger Routine?

It only takes one new topping to turn a good burger into a great one. Whether it’s the crunch of pork rind crumble, the tang of peach slaw, or the heat of hot honey, these bold toppings can carry the entire build. So next time you fire up the grill or smoker, skip the lettuce and tomato—and try something unexpected.

Need sauces or rubs that match up to your burger ambitions? Shop DDR BBQ Supply for small-batch BBQ sauces, unique rubs, and gear that makes serious flavor happen.

Our burger essentials collection is HERE.

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