Give Your Hamburger A Delicious Upgrade With A Spicy Pantry Staple

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Whether you favor a smashburger with crispy, lacy edges or a thick, pillowy patty with ricotta added to the beef mix for marvelous tenderness, a well-constructed burger is already something pretty darn good on its own. Dare we say that we might have hit upon the grace note of spice that every hamburger needs to elevate it to S-tier, however? What you want is chili crisp. As seen in multiple TikTok reels, this condiment, which is made of a carrier oil infused with crunchy fried chilis and aromatics, is already a smash hit these last few years in North American households. Mix it with mayo to form an aioli (yes, there's a difference), and you have a delightful spread.

Think about typical burger condiments like ketchup and mustard. You get sweetness, tang, and a little piquant bite. The flavor balance that's achieved with a chili crisp mayo hits even more advanced nuances, activating our taste receptors with bright hints of spice, funk, and umami — to say nothing of textural interest. Best of all, depending on which product you opt for, you can totally wrangle the spice to your chosen level. Mr. Bing Chili Crisp, for instance, features a 4+ star rating and a "mild" label to attune you to the fact that the spice is tame. Expect less raw heat and more of a focus on the shallots and fermented flavor of the sauce. On the other hand, another beloved Amazon purchase, Momofuku Original Chili Crunch, boasts three out of five chili peppers used as a heat scale, so you can savor more of a burn. Grab your favorite mayo and swirl in as much chili crisp as your heart desires.

Considering that chili crisp already starred on our exclusive list of the best unusual burger toppings that chefs love, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump over to combining your chili crisp with other unique toppings that unexpectedly sing the song of really good handhelds. Take, for example, grilled apple slices. Grab your favorite variety — one with a great snap is what you're after — and cut crisp planks. Give your apples a few seconds on the grill per side, then pile atop your burger. We could argue that, when in season, ripe peaches would also be a treat. Support your sweet/tart fruit with a gooey, mild cheese that binds the whole burger together without interfering with your flavors ... we'd recommend brie or mozzarella.

Here's another secret swooner: peanut butter. Peanuts and chilis are a combo that you've seen in Asian dishes like pad thai and chicken satay. Give one bun a schmear of peanut butter (crunchy if you're feeling feisty!) and your chili crisp mayo on the other ... you are going to be very pleasantly surprised! In less extraordinary terms as far as pairings with spicy, crunchy chili crisp mayo go, think funky kimchi or fresh, crispy slaw. Either preparation of cabbage and greens will enliven your burger with a vegetal element that tames the ferocity of the chili crisp for more timid eaters and adds delightful texture that any burger-lover will savor. Not feeling adventurous? Skip the peanut butter and pile your burger high with quick-pickled veg like daikon, carrot, and cukes and make the sammie a celebration of tang and freshness.