Burger Toppings: 3 Easy Spreads
Kick up the flavor of your burgers, sandwiches, and wraps with these easy, vegan, and gluten-free burger topping recipes.
Move over ketchup, mustard, and mayo; there are other ways to liven up a burger! Whether you are enjoying a homemade veggie burger, a grilled Portobello mushroom (my favorite), or a store-bought plant-based hamburger, why not have a little fun with your burger toppings?
Here are three spreads; each is easier to make than the last, and I’ll let you in on a little secret: They are not just for burgers! Try them on sandwiches and wraps!
1. Easy Burger Topping: Black Beans & Cilantro
If you love cilantro, you’ll enjoy this quick and easy recipe. This spread combines black beans with the clean flavors of:
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Cilantro
- Onion
If you are feeling especially daring, you can add a little chili powder, sweet corn, and black olives to the mix for some Southwest flair…
Black Bean and Cilantro Spread
Ingredients
- 15 oz can of low sodium black beans
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ fresh lemon
- 1 small clove of garlic
- ¼ medium red onion
- 6 large sprigs of cilantro
Instructions
- Rinse and drain black beans and add to a food processor fitted with an S-blade.
- Add garlic and squeeze juice from wedge of lemon into the beans.
- Place lid on processor and turn on highest speed.
- Slowly pour water into the chute while processor is running – adding just enough to create a smooth consistency. (You may not need to use all of the water.)
- Add onion to processor and pulse until the onion is chopped and mixed through the spread.
- Rinse cilantro and pat dry. Strip leaves from the stems and add to food processor. Discard stems.
- Pulse processor until cilantro is chopped and mixed through spread.
- Scrape spread into a serving bowl or storage container.
- Serve immediately or store in sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
2. Easier Burger Topping: Chick Peas & Roasted Red Pepper
Jarred roasted red peppers are a real time saver in this simplified, low-fat version of hummus. This spread is comprised of just a few simple ingredients:
- Chick Peas (garbanzo beans)
- Roasted red pepper
- Garlic
- Black Pepper
Try adding a little ground cumin if you want to kick the flavor up a notch.
Chick Peas and Roasted Red Pepper Spread
Ingredients
- 15 oz can of low sodium Chick Peas garbanzo beans
- ¼ cup water
- 1 small clove of garlic
- 1 large roasted red pepper from a jar, packed in water
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and drain Chick Peas and add to a food processor fitted with an S-blade.
- Add garlic.
- Place lid on processor and turn on highest speed.
- Slowly pour water into the chute while processor is running – adding just enough to create a smooth consistency. (You may not need to use all of the water.)
- Add roasted red pepper and pulse until the pepper is roughly chopped and mixed through the spread.
- Scrape spread into a serving bowl or storage container.
- Stir in ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or store in sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
3. Easiest Burger Topping: Quick Guacamole
If you are feeling especially lazy, it doesn’t get much easier than this quick guacamole recipe. All you need is an avocado and some jarred salsa.
Quick Guacamole
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado
- ¼ cup jarred salsa (I like Chi-Chi’s thick and chunky)
Instructions
- Peel the avocado and remove the pit.
- Mash avocado with a fork and then stir in salsa.
- Serve immediately or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. (Store guacamole with avocado pit to reduce browning.)
Notes
Nutrition
Mix and Match Ingredients
These are just a few examples of the different kinds of burger toppings and sandwich spreads you can make with beans or avocados. I encourage you to explore other ingredients or seasonings you can add to the mix. And don’t be afraid to use more than one burger topping—for example, the black bean and cilantro spread pairs nicely with the quick guacamole.
Do you have a favorite burger topping/sandwich spread recipe? Feel free to share it in the comments section below.
Looking for an easy veggie burger recipe? Here are a few to try: Veggie Burgers & Patties Archives.
I can’t wait to try all of these – who doesn’t like flavorful healthy spread/sauce on their burger!? YUM! I’ve done the guac. and salsa – that’s the best. This blog has so many great ideas!
Thanks Steven! Glad to hear you are feeling inspired! 🙂