The best burger toppings add flavour and texture without hiding the taste of the patty. Classic combinations rely on familiar ingredients such as lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and American cheese, while gourmet burgers use stronger pairings such as Swiss and mushrooms or blue cheese and caramelized onions.

The key is balance. Choose ingredients that provide freshness, acidity, richness and crunch—but do not try to fit every possible topping into one burger.

Best Burger Topping Combinations at a Glance

What Makes a Good Burger Topping Combination?

A successful combination usually contains three or four different functions:

• Richness: cheese, avocado, bacon or aioli
• Acidity: pickles, mustard, pickled onions or jalapeños
• Freshness: lettuce, tomato or arugula
• Texture: raw onion, crispy onions, bacon or slaw

Not every burger needs all four. A simple smash burger may only need American cheese, pickles and grilled onions because the patty already provides crisp edges and strong beef flavour.

The Michelin Guide notes that:

“Every element—the meat blend, the bun, the cheese and the toppings—offers chefs an opportunity to put their own stamp on an American classic.”

Its examples range from white cheddar and fried egg to braised onions and flavoured aioli, showing how toppings can change the entire personality of a burger. Read the Michelin Guide’s chef burger combinations. guide.michelin.com

Classic Burger Topping Combinations

Classic combinations work because each ingredient has a clear purpose. They are familiar, easy to eat and suitable for most burger styles.

1. The Classic Cheeseburger

Best combination:

• American cheese
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Raw or grilled onion
• Dill pickles
• Ketchup and mustard

American cheese melts smoothly over the patty, while pickles and mustard cut through its richness. Lettuce and tomato add freshness and prevent the burger from feeling too heavy.

This combination works best with a regular grilled patty or a thin diner-style burger.

2. The Classic Smash Burger

Best combination:

• American cheese
• Grilled onions
• Dill pickles
• Burger sauce

A smash burger develops a thin, deeply browned crust, so it does not need many toppings. Soft grilled onions complement the crisp patty edges, while pickles provide acidity.

If you are comparing cooking styles, our guide to grilled vs smash burgers explains how each patty changes the ideal toppings.

3. Bacon and Cheddar

Best combination:

• Cheddar cheese
• Crispy bacon
• Raw or crispy onions
• Pickles
• Mustard or a small amount of BBQ sauce

Cheddar has enough flavour to stand up to smoky bacon. Pickles or mustard are essential here because the burger already contains several salty and rich ingredients.

Avoid adding too much sauce or another heavy topping such as a fried egg. The combination is already substantial.

4. Lettuce, Tomato, Onion and Pickles

This combination works with hamburgers, cheeseburgers and most grilled patties.

For the best result:

• Use dry, crisp lettuce.
• Slice the tomato relatively thin.
• Keep raw onion slices fine and even.
• Drain pickles before placing them in the burger.

These small details protect the bun and keep the burger easier to hold.

Gourmet Burger Topping Combinations

Gourmet toppings should create a clear flavour direction—not simply make the burger taller or more expensive. Start with one central pairing, then add only the ingredients needed to balance it.

5. Mushroom and Swiss

Best combination:

• Swiss cheese
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Grilled or caramelized onions
• Garlic aioli
• Arugula, if desired

Swiss cheese has a mild, slightly nutty flavour that complements earthy mushrooms. Garlic aioli connects the toppings, while a small amount of arugula adds freshness and a peppery finish.

This combination is particularly suitable for a thick, juicy patty.

6. Caramelized Onion and Aged Cheddar

Best combination:

• Aged cheddar
• Caramelized onions
• Arugula
• Dijon mustard

Caramelized onions add sweetness, while aged cheddar provides sharpness. Dijon mustard prevents the combination from becoming overly rich or sweet.

Use the onions in moderation. A thick layer can dominate the patty and make the burger difficult to eat.

7. Blue Cheese and Bacon

Best combination:

• Blue cheese
• Crispy bacon
• Caramelized onions
• Arugula
• Dijon mustard

Blue cheese has a strong, salty flavour, so it needs toppings that balance rather than compete with it. Sweet onions soften its sharpness, and arugula adds freshness.

Because both blue cheese and bacon are intense, use smaller amounts than you would with cheddar or American cheese.

8. Pepper Jack and Jalapeño

Best combination:

• Pepper Jack cheese
• Fresh or pickled jalapeños
• Pickled red onions
• Lettuce
• Chipotle mayo

Pepper Jack melts well while adding moderate heat. Pickled onions introduce acidity, and lettuce provides a cooling, crisp contrast.

For less heat, remove the fresh jalapeños and keep the Pepper Jack. For more heat, use both—but avoid adding several competing hot sauces.

9. Avocado and Monterey Jack

Best combination:

• Monterey Jack
• Sliced avocado
• Tomato
• Red onion
• Lettuce
• Lime or garlic mayo

Avocado brings a smooth, creamy texture, while Monterey Jack provides a mild melt without overpowering it. Tomato, onion and lettuce keep the burger fresh.

Use firm-ripe avocado and add it shortly before serving so it holds its shape.

10. BBQ Bacon and Crispy Onion

Best combination:

• Cheddar
• Bacon
• Crispy onions
• Pickles
• BBQ sauce

This combination is smoky, sweet and rich. Pickles are particularly important because their acidity cuts through the bacon, cheese and sauce.

Use a thin layer of BBQ sauce. Too much can make the burger overly sweet and cause the bun to become soggy.

Which Cheese Works Best with Each Topping?

For a more detailed comparison, see our guide to burger cheese types.

Match the Toppings to the Patty

The thickness and cooking style of the patty should influence the toppings.

Thin or Smash Patties

Thin patties work best with toppings that stay relatively compact:

• American cheese
• Pickles
• Grilled onions
• Thinly shredded lettuce
• Burger sauce

Large tomato slices, thick avocado or heavy mushroom toppings can overpower a thin patty.

Thick Gourmet Patties

Thicker patties can support toppings with more weight and stronger flavour:

• Aged cheddar
• Swiss or blue cheese
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Caramelized onions
• Bacon
• Arugula

An 8 oz gourmet burger has enough beef flavour and structure to handle richer combinations, provided the toppings remain balanced.

Our comparison of thick and thin burger patties can also help you choose the right approach.

How to Layer Burger Toppings

The order of toppings affects stability, texture and how the burger tastes.

A reliable structure is:

1. Bottom bun
2. Thin layer of sauce
3. Lettuce
4. Tomato
5. Beef patty
6. Melted cheese
7. Cooked toppings such as mushrooms or onions
8. Pickles or raw onion
9. Second thin layer of sauce
10. Top bun

Lettuce on the bottom can create a barrier between juicy ingredients and the bun. Cheese should melt directly over the hot patty, while slippery ingredients such as pickles should sit between more stable layers.

There is no single mandatory order, but the finished burger should remain compact enough to eat without falling apart.

How Many Toppings Should Go on a Burger?

For most burgers, use:

• One cheese
• Two or three main toppings
• One sauce

A gourmet burger does not require a long list of ingredients. Mushroom, Swiss, grilled onion and garlic aioli already create a complete flavour profile.

If you cannot identify the role of a topping, it probably does not need to be there.

For ideas beyond toppings—including sauces and side dishes—read our complete guide to what to serve with burgers.

Common Burger Topping Mistakes

Using Too Many Strong Flavours

Blue cheese, jalapeños, BBQ sauce, bacon and caramelized onions may all taste good individually, but combining them can create a confused flavour profile.

Choose one central direction: classic, smoky, spicy, earthy or fresh.

Making the Burger Too Tall

Very tall burgers are difficult to eat and often fall apart. Use thinner tomato and onion slices, spread toppings evenly and avoid unnecessary stacking.

Forgetting Acidity

Rich ingredients need contrast. Pickles, mustard, pickled onions and jalapeños help balance beef, bacon, cheese and creamy sauces.

Adding Wet Toppings Without Draining Them

Wet lettuce, thick tomato slices and undrained pickles can quickly soften the bun. Dry or drain these ingredients before assembly.

Using the Wrong Bun

A soft, thin bun may collapse under heavy gourmet toppings. A sturdier bun is more appropriate for thick patties, mushrooms, bacon or multiple cooked ingredients.

Our guide to burger bun types compares brioche, potato and sesame buns for different burger styles.

Try Gourmet Burgers at Grill Gate

The best burger toppings are not simply piled onto the patty—they are selected to create a balanced combination of flavour, texture and freshness.

Explore Grill Gate’s gourmet burgers or visit the location closest to you:

• Grill Gate Richmond Hill
• Grill Gate Sheppard West in North York
• Grill Gate Yonge Street in North York
• Grill Gate Aurora

You can also explore more articles in our Burger & Grill Guides.

Final Verdict

For a classic burger, American cheese, pickles, onions, lettuce and tomato remain reliable choices. For a gourmet combination, build around one strong pairing such as mushroom and Swiss, caramelized onion and aged cheddar, or Pepper Jack and jalapeño.

The best result usually includes one cheese, two or three complementary toppings and one sauce. The toppings should support the patty—not make it disappear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular burger toppings?

The most popular burger toppings include cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and bacon. Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and burger sauce are common finishing options.

What are the best gourmet burger toppings?

Popular gourmet toppings include caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, aged cheddar, Swiss cheese, blue cheese, arugula, avocado and garlic aioli.

What toppings go best on a smash burger?

American cheese, grilled onions, dill pickles and burger sauce are ideal because they add flavour without overpowering the thin patty and crisp edges.

What toppings go well with a thick burger?

Thick burgers can support Swiss or aged cheddar, mushrooms, caramelized onions, bacon, arugula and other strongly flavoured toppings.

How many toppings should a burger have?

Most burgers need only two or three toppings, one cheese and one sauce. Too many ingredients can hide the patty and make the burger difficult to eat.

What toppings help balance a rich cheeseburger?

Pickles, mustard, pickled onions, lettuce and tomato add acidity or freshness, helping balance beef, melted cheese and bacon.

Should lettuce go above or below the burger patty?

Either position can work, but placing dry lettuce above the bottom bun can help protect it from juices and sauce. The most important point is keeping wet ingredients away from direct contact with the bun.