Savory Burger Toppings from Every Region in the USA
North, East, South, West: Choosing Ingredients that are the Best
Jul 8, 2009
The U.S. is regional competitive, especially when it comes to food. Ditch the usual ketchup, and top a burger with Southern coleslaw or East Coast shrimp aioli.
Burger recipes and toppings can be made of almost anything depending on what tastes delicious to you based on your preferences, experience and local culture. So when it comes to the battle of the East coast's savory seafood and the West coast's tender herb flavors, who wins? What about the argument between the South's spicy bold flavors and the gourmet cheese of the upper Midwest?
Of course, the main idea here is that no one wins. All of these flavors collectively provide a wide range of delicious burger toppings, no matter where you live.
Southwest Succulent Burger Toppings
- Dice up fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables to create a refreshing salsa to sit atop a juicy patty. For one burger, combine 1 1/2 tablespoons of chopped tomato, a pinch of chopped cilantro, a teaspoon of hot sauce, a tablespoon of corn kernels, a teaspoon of lime juice, and 1/2 tablespoon of chopped basil in a bowl and mix together. Melt some jack cheese on the burger, and place this mixture on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- If you like to mix spicy flavors with cool and creamy, try this topper. In a food processor, grind up 1/2 to 1 whole adobo chipotle chile (found in the Latin or Hispanic food aisle at your grocery store). Add this to a 1/2 cup of feta cheese. Roll into a ball with your hands, then place the ball in between two uncooked meat pattys, and seal the pattys shut around the ball of peppers and cheese. Once you cook it, the cheese will melt in the middle to create a creamy spicy flavor.
East Coast Savory Burger Toppings
- In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup finely diced fresh baby shrimp, 1 teaspoon finely diced garlic, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika and 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Mix this together and chill it before topping the burger right before serving.
- Make your burger into a Philly cheesesteak by melting a double layer of provolone cheese over the patty, then adding chopped roasted red peppers (you can find these in a jar a the grocery store), sauteed golden onion rings (saute in vegetable oil on medium heat until golden), and your choice of hot peppers. Add these ingredients in layers for the best flavor.
West Coast Healthy Burger Toppings
- Melt monterey jack or cheddar cheese over the burger patty. As it melts, add a thick slice of juicy tomato to take the place of ketchup. Then add a mixture of different greens to give it some extra flavor, such as chopped up arugula, watercress and spinach leaves. To finish it off, chop up an avocado and mix it with 3 tablespoons diced onion, 1 small chopped jalepeno, two tablespoons of lime juice and a handful of chopped cilantro.
- This Napa Valley inspired topping takes a little more time to create. Saute four small shallots in a saucepan until they begin to brown. Pour in half a bottle of Zinfandel and let it simmer with the shallots for about ten minutes. The shallots will soak up the Zinfandel's flavor and become very tender. Pour out the Zin after ten minutes or so, melt Swiss cheese over the burger patty, and top with a handful of the Zinfandel soaked shallots.
Southern Spiced Burger Toppings
- Drizzle your burger with your favorite BBQ sauce while it's on the grill. After you set the patty on the bun, slather on more BBQ sauce and sprinkle some dried oregano, cumin, salt and pepper, then top with some cool crispy coleslaw and halved dill pickles. Make sure to have lots of napkins nearby!
- Now for some smoky spice from the South. Top your cooking burger with double slices of sharp cheddar cheese, then brush your favorite BBQ sauce on top of the cheese. After setting the patty on the bun, arrange a handful of crispy onion rings on top of the cheese and sauce (you can either make them or buy them). Before setting the top of the bun on, finish it off with two thick slices of crispy applewood smoked bacon, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, chili powder and parsley flakes.
Midwest's Best Burger Toppings
- While you burger is on the grill, coat a thick layer of creamy goat cheese on top such as Laura Chanel goat cheese. Once it begins to melt, place it on the bun and top with sauteed thickly sliced mushrooms, chopped chives and onion. To really bring out the midwest beef lover in you, add chunks of sirloin steak to the burger meat before cooking.
- Melt provolone cheese over the burger then top with mustard, cool sauerkraut, thin slices of ham, roasted red pepper slices and chopped cilantro.
Try one of these recipes from a specific region, or try them all at your next BBQ to see what ends up being your favorite. For more burger recipes and toppings, check out The Food Network's 50 States 50 Burgers Link.
The copyright of the article Savory Burger Toppings from Every Region in the USA in Recipes is owned by Lauren Wise. Permission to republish Savory Burger Toppings from Every Region in the USA in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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