The best toppings for a smash burger

By DesiSmash by Chef Hass · Nov 2026 · 3 min read

Tamarind and Bombay Street burger topped with crushed papri crisps, with lime and chutney beside it

The best toppings for a smash burger are the ones that add crunch, acidity or freshness without making the burger wet. Think pickles, diced or caramelised onion, crisp lettuce, pickled jalapeños and something crunchy such as crispy shallots. Keep it to three or four, so the crust stays the star.

A smash patty is thin, savoury and crisp. That is its strength, and it is also why toppings matter so much. Pile on too much and you bury the crust. Choose well and every bite has contrast. Here is how Chef Hass thinks about toppings, with examples from the DesiSmash menu.

What toppings are for

On a rich, salty burger, toppings do three jobs:

Acid cuts through fat and cheese. Pickles, pickled red onion, mustard and tamarind all do this.
Crunch contrasts with the soft bun and melted cheese. Crispy onion, crispy shallots and crushed papri are examples.
Freshness lifts the whole burger. Raw onion, lettuce, herbs and a squeeze of lime do this.

Most great smash burgers use one or two toppings from each group, not everything at once.

The OG Smash cut in half, showing melted cheese, pickles and diced onion between two patties — The OG Smash keeps it classic: pickles and diced onion against melted cheese.

The classics

Dill pickles

The most useful topping on any smash burger. The sharp, salty tang resets your palate after every bite. We use them on The OG Smash, the Smoked BBQ Pitmaster and, doubled up, on The Triple Threat.

Diced white onion

Raw, finely diced onion gives a clean crunch and a little bite. Dicing small matters, so it sits in the cheese instead of sliding out.

Smashed onion

Press a thin layer of onion into the raw patty before smashing, and it caramelises on the griddle into sweet, savoury edges. This is the idea behind The Oklahoma Onion.

Caramelised onion

Slow-cooked until soft and sweet. It pairs beautifully with smoked cheddar and something salty, as on the Caramelized Stampede, where we add turkey bacon.

Iceberg lettuce

Not a garnish. Shredded iceberg adds cool, watery crunch against chilli heat, which is why it is on the Garlic Chilli Crisp.

Toppings with a Desi twist

Pickled red onion: bright, sharp and slightly sweet. It cuts through the creamy paneer on the Paneer Tikka Melt.
Pickled jalapeños: heat plus acidity, which is why they sit on the Naga Firecracker.
Crispy shallots: crunch with a toasty, savoury flavour.
Crushed papri crisp: a crisp topping that adds crunch. It tops the Tamarind & Bombay Street.
Chilli crisp oil: not a solid topping, but it adds crunch, garlic and a slow heat.
Fresh coriander and lime: use them to lift rich, spiced burgers.

What not to do

Do not add wet toppings. Sliced raw tomato releases water and softens the bun. If you want tomato, pat it dry or leave it out.
Do not stack more than four. A burger with six toppings tastes of none of them.
Do not hide the crust. The patty should still be visible and crisp when you bite in.
Do not overload sauce. A spoonful on the bottom bun and a drizzle on top is enough. More tips are in cheese and sauce for smash burgers.

Tikka Butter Melt burger with red onion and herbs, next to orange and green sauces — The Tikka Butter Melt: red onion and fresh herbs on spiced cheese and makhani butter glaze.

Customising your DesiSmash burger

Each burger on the menu lists what is in it, and you can ask for free changes. For example, you can leave off the pickles, the onion or a slice of cheese. Use the notes box when you order, and tell us about any allergies at the same time. Remember that all our burgers contain gluten, milk and egg, and that sesame and mustard are in the buns and sauces.

A quick topping cheat sheet

Want it classic? Pickles and diced onion.
Want it sweet and smoky? Caramelised onion and crispy onion ring.
Want crunch? Crispy shallots or crushed papri.
Want heat? Pickled jalapeños, balanced with lettuce or a creamy sauce.
Want it fresh? Red onion, coriander and a mint-coriander chutney mayo.

Not sure where to start? Read which smash burger should I order first?, then order for collection or delivery across Leicester and Glenfield.