Burgers are not only a popular item, they can often make or break a menu. Having a bad burger can be disastrous – but thanks to these simple pairings, you can lift your menu and your burger game.

Flavour notes including herb, spice, heat, and citrus can be added into the sauce or mayonnaise to create the perfect combination. They can also be baked into the bread or buns. Here are some examples of perfect flavours that could work well with beef, chicken, fish or plant-based burgers.

To really lift your game when making your own burgers to order, why not try something different by incorporating flavour notes into the mince or patty, or even the batter or coating? Then it’s just a matter of adding your favourite toppings or condiments.

• beef and plant based burgers + avocado + black beans + mushrooms + smokey paprika

• beef and chicken burgers + tomatoes + chipotle + thyme + corn + mayonnaise

• beef and chicken burgers + orange + black beans + cumin + carraway seeds

• fish and chicken burgers + coriander + chilli + lime/ citrus

• beef and chicken burgers + chillies + coconut + ginger + lemongrass + peanuts

• fish and chicken burgers + garlic, ginger and soy sauce + honey

• fish and chicken burgers + garlic + lemon+ basil + white wine

• chicken burgers and plant based burgers + curry+ coconut milk + sweet potato + spinach

• beef and chicken burgers + garlic + onion + tamari + vinegar

• beef and chicken burgers + cumin + ginger + garlic + onion + soy sauce

• beef and chicken burgers + maple syrup + mustard + sweet potato

• beef and chicken burgers + shiso + miso + soy sauce + shiitake mushroom

• beef and chicken burgers + sesame + miso + ginger + orange

• chicken burgers and plant based + barbecue sauce + onion + mustard + parsley

• beef and plant based burgers + mushrooms + cream + pickle + paprika

• fish and chicken burgers + kombu + tamari + sesame

Here are some suggestions using the above :

Caprese/Italian – spinach lettuce, sliced tomato, pesto mayonnaise, mozzarella or shaved parmesan, basil and garlic beef burger and focaccia or Turkish bun

Taco/Mexican – shredded lettuce, tomato, tomato sauce, Mexican spice mixed with mayonnaise, avocado, sour cream, cheese shred, black bean and mushroom vegetable patty on plain or seeded buns

Breakfast – English muffin, mixed greens, bacon, egg, pickles, paprika mayo, sliced tomato, grilled sliced mushrooms

Vietnamese – Ciabatta bun, sriracha or sweet chilli mayonnaise, beef patty with coriander grated carrot, coriander leaves, pickled red onion, toasted peanuts and optional jalapenos

Greek/Mediterranean – feta cheese or haloumi grilled, red onion sliced, cos lettuce, cucumber yogurt with mixed herbs or lemon, ciabatta

Hawaiian – sliced cheese, seeded bun, bacon plus mayonnaise, Teriyaki sauce, grilled pineapple and spinach sauteed with a miso chicken burger. 

American – sweet potato milk bun, buttermilk fried chicken, mustard pickles and maple bacon with sweet slaw

Vegan/Vego – curry sweet potato patty, spinach and coconut sambal on seeded Turkish bread 

Aussie traditional – lettuce, tomato, beetroot, cheese slice, barbecue sauce, classic seeded bun and grilled pineapple (optional)

Enjoy playing with this knowledge and hopefully this lifts your burger game to new levels.