2. Superfood toppings
Blended burgers are designed to offer consumers tasty new versions of an ingredient they’re already familiar with, but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is to it when it comes to making the blended burger healthier. Blending mushrooms with a protein is perfect for this option as well, since mushrooms provide a great savory flavor to the burger without overwhelming or clashing with other topping flavors. And while the classic toppings of lettuce and tomato (and sometimes pickle and onion) are always going to be popular choices, operators can mix things up by offering healthy, superfood-type toppings as well, for diners who want a boost of vitamins and minerals.
For example, swap out the slice of tomato with a slice of roasted beet for a similarly sweet yet unique twist. At Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse in Chicago, the Turkey Burger, a recent menu addition, is topped with avocado and baby kale. Packing in new flavors and crisp veggies is what the blended burger is all about. And according to Technomic’s recent Healthy Eating report, 66% of consumers say they’d be more likely to buy and are willing to pay more for items that contain a full serving of vegetables, which can easily be achieved with a blended burger and superfood toppings—and, even better, mushrooms are also a superfood and, when blended into the patty, easily increase the burger’s vegetable content, so chefs can appeal to health-conscious veggie lovers with ease.