Quick Pickling Recipe for Burger Toppings

Ever felt like your burgers needed a little extra zing? Well, buckle up because I've got a  some Quick Pickling Recipes for Burger Toppings that will turn your burger game up to eleven! Imagine biting into a juicy turkey, veggie or beef burger topped with tangy pickled red onions, crisp and cool cucumbers and creamy, yet zippy avocado pickles. Your taste buds are about to do the happy dance!

Pam's Burger Toppings

Just a little tip from my kitchen notes: you can use the same brine to pickle red onions, cucumbers and avocados, making this process super quick and easy – only 30 minutes. This versatile brine not only adds a tangy kick to your burgers but also works wonders in sandwiches and salads.

Try these pickled gems on turkey burgers, spring roll bowl, or pork sliders.

Just whip up one batch of brine, let those veggies soak up the goodness, and you’ll have a stash of vibrant, zesty pickles ready to elevate any meal.  Trust me, once you try it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without these pickled delights!.

One last note:  Be sure to try my quick pickled cucumbers introducing all-spice berries or dill to add a little extra zing.  They make a fantastic accompaniment to Swedish meatballs and beyond.

What you'll need

A mix of white wine vinegar and fresh lime juice provides the perfect acidic kick. Thirty minutes is all it takes until the onions turn a gorgeous purply pink, and the cucumbers and avocado are ready to top your burger, salad or sandwich. 

For Quick pickling liquid:

• white wine vinegar
• lime juice
• salt
• sugar

Pickled vegetables ideas for burger toppings:

• avocado – For a creamy topping that also contributes tang, I pickled an unlikely candidate: avocado. Using a ripe-but-firm avocado ensures that it won't be too soft to slice for pickling. Patting the avocado dry after pickling ensures that it won’t sog out the burger when added on top.
• red onion - Pickled onions are a surefire way to spice up any dish. For the best results, slice the onions uniformly thin so that they absorb the pickling liquid quickly and evenly.  I love my mandolin for this – it’s so easy to use and clean!
• cucumbers – crisp, cool and quick these make a terrific addition to burger toppings.  Elevate your cucumber pickles by making Easy Swedish Quick Pickled Cucumbers Recipe.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to pickle avocado and vegetables

First we need to make the brine.   Whisking together white wine vinegar, lime, salt, and sugar creates a tangy yet clean-tasting mixture to season the avocado, cucumber and red onion.  Place the ingredients in a saucepan, simmer over medium heat until the salt and sugar dissolve, this will take no time at all! 

Now let’s talk about prepping the avocado, cucumbers and onion.

Pickling red onion

Step 1: Slice red onion.  I cut just to the side of the stem, going straight down. Remove the peel.

Step 2: Slice on Mandolin using setting #1. Turn the onion sideways and run it down the mandolin to achieve very thin little onion C-shapes.

In my opinion, the cut of the onion is very important in achieving thin, ribbony, and beautiful pickled red onion.  

Step 3: Pour the hot brine over the onions, making sure they’re fully submerged. Let the jar cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating. These beauties are good to go in about 30 minutes but get better with time.

You can actually make pickled onions in advance.  Once they come to room temperature, refrigerate in air tight container for up to 1 week.

Quick Cucumber Pickles

Step 1: Peel and thinly slice cucumbers.  When peeling, I opt for an artfully striped cucumber technique.  Simply peel the cucumber skin at regular intervals, resulting in an eye-catching pattern that adds a touch of sophistication. Now grab a sharp chef’s knife or this super handy mandolin by Oxo (use setting #1) to create paper thin slices. 

Step 2: Pickle.  Place cucumbers in jar and pour enough vinegar to submerge the cucumbers. Let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes before using. 

Tip:  If you are not eating them immediately, cover and refrigerate the cucumbers once the mixture has cooled to room temperature. The cucumbers are best fresh but will keep in the refrigerator for one week.

Avocado Pickles

Step 1: Slice the Avocado.  Grip the avocado on one side.  With a large kitchen knife, cut lengthwise around the pit.  Gently twist the two halves to open and expose the pit. 

Step 2: Remove the pit. Gently tap the pit with a knife.  Use just enough force so that the knife edge wedges into the pit, but not so hard as to cut all the way through it. Slowly twist the knife to get the pit out. 

Step 3: Slice avocado ¼ inch thick, being careful not to cut the through the peel. 

Step 4: Peel. Place it cut-side-down on a cutting board. The skin should peel right off. If there are any bits that stick, use a paring knife to cut away. 

Step 5: Pickle.  Gently place the avocado in a bowl. Pour the warm brine over the avocados, ensuring they're fully submerged. Let them cool to room temperature before covering with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Drain and pat dry before using to avoid sogging out the bun.

Burger Assembly Tips

Now that you’ve got your pickled toppings, it’s time to build that burger! Here’s how I like to stack mine for maximum flavor explosion:

1. Bottom Bun: Spread with a little mayo or mustard.
2. Quick Pickled Cucumbers: Creates a cool, crisp, crunch in every bite.
3. Patty: Your choice—beef, chicken, turkey, veggie!
4. Cheese: Melted over the patty, because cheese is life.
5. Avocado Pickles: Layer them on for a creamy, tangy topping.
6. Pickled Red Onions: Pile them high for a zesty punch.
7. Top Bun: Give it a little press to make sure everything stays in place.

And there you have it—a burger that's not just a meal, but an experience! These pickled toppings are quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious, perfect for impressing your friends at the next BBQ or just jazzing up a mid-week dinner.

What are your go-to burger toppings? Drop a comment below—I’m always on the hunt for more flavor inspirations!

Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the comments below! And don't forget to subscribe to Our Table 4 2 for even more cooking for two recipes and tips.

Related

Looking for other small batch ingredient recipes like this? Try these: