salads, buns, veggie burgers on plates

There is no doubt that I will eat my body weight in veggie burgers this summer, which makes it pretty easy to get into a bit of a toppings rut. I mean, I like mayo as much as the next gal…but there is a limit.

It’s high, but there’s a limit!

Time for a reframe: start viewing a burger as a canvas, just waiting to be loaded with creative and flavourful toppings that go WAY beyond just ketchup and a bun. If you do it right, you (I) could eat a different veggie burger every night and still feel inspired (maybe switch up the side dishes, though!).

Five Flavourful and Creative Burger Toppings To Help You Green Your Grill

I am serious about my veggie burgers…so I rolled up my sleeves and took a cue from some of my favourite food combinations to create burger toppings that will reignite your love affair with summer grilling.

This post was generously sponsored by Sol Cuisine, and I’ve included my suggested burger pairing for each of the toppings. I love their burgers because they are all non-GMO, contain simpler ingredients and there are plenty of gluten free options. They also come in an amazing variety of flavours that will keep your tastebuds happy, whether you’re a plant-based purist or a veggie burger newbie looking for something to entice you away from your usual beef burger.

I think there’s something here for everyone, from a more classic pairing of pesto, spinach and mushroom to a sweet and salty Mediterranean mash up of beet, walnut, date and creamy cashew cheese.

Have a favourite? Be sure to tag me on Instagram and let me know which one has captured your heart (because we all know the way to get there is through your stomach, right?).

Combo 1. Pineapple, Cilantro and Avocado salsa
Suggested Pairing: Sol Cuisine Extreme Griller

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup (250ml) diced (1/4 inch, 1/2 cm pieces) pineapple with 1 avocado, diced, ½ cup (125ml) chopped cilantro, ¼ cup (60ml) finely diced red onion.  Add a generous squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt and stir to combine.

Generously pile on your burger! This one, honestly, is excellent with mayo. See? I really like my mayo.

Combo 2. Feta, Roasted Red Peppers and Tapenade
Suggested Pairing: Sol Cuisine Mushroom and Wild Rice

The day before, or morning of, make my favourite tofu feta recipe.
Note: I typically double the lemon juice and add another 1/2 tsp salt compared to what’s noted on the recipe.

Take a jar of roasted red peppers, drain and slice peppers into thin strips. Spread your burger bun with store-bought olive tapenade, spread tofu feta on the burger and top with red pepper strips.

Combo 3. Sautéed Shallot, Baby Spinach and Pesto
Suggested Pairing: Sol Cuisine Portobello Quinoa

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, cook 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced, in 2 tbsp (30ml) extra virgin olive oil for 3 minutes, or until they turn glossy. Add the contents of an entire 5oz (142g) clamshell of baby spinach, and cook, stirring often, until the spinach wilts. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Spread burger bun with your fave store-bought pesto (or try making mine!) and top burger with shallot and spinach mix.

Combo 4. Hummus, Cucumber, Kalamata Olives and Parsley
Suggested Pairing: Sol Cuisine Lemon Dill Salm’n

In a medium bowl, combine ½ of English cucumber, finely diced, with ½ cup (125ml) minced curly parsley, ½ cup (125ml) Kalamata olives, chopped, a generous squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt.

Spread burger top with your favourite store-bought hummus, and pile on the cucumber olive mixture.

Combo 5. Cashew Cheese with Walnuts and Dates
Suggested Pairing: Sol Cuisine Sunflower Beet

Mix 1 cup (250ml) of store-bought or homemade soft cashew cheese (like Spread’em Kitchen) with 1/3 cup (80ml) finely chopped walnuts, and 2 large Medjool dates, diced.

Spread mixture on top of burger and top with a handful of sunflower or pea shoots.

The Ultimate BBQ Upgrade: How to Create a Healthy and Creative Burger Topping Bar

Barbecues are such a fun and relaxed way to entertain, because everything can be made in advance. However, if you’re wanting to up your game a little bit, why not go for a make-your-own burger bar? All of these flavour combinations can be made the day before, or morning of – the only exception is to wait on adding the avocado to combo 1 until closer to serving. Each recipe is designed to serve 4-6 people so making all five would easily serve a crowd.

Choose a few (or all!) of the veggie burgers to grill and then set up the toppings bar somewhere out of the heat. Guests can grab a bun and a burg and then serve themselves their toppings and sides at the bar. You can print out a list of suggested veggie burger and topping combinations…or let your guests run wild!

Need some homemade veggie burger recipes?

salads, buns, veggie burgers on plates

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