Bagel Burgers with Dill Pickle Cream Cheese bring together bagels, burgers, cream cheese, and pickles into one irresistible summer meal. Inspired by the bagel burgers I enjoyed in France, these sandwiches are perfect for grilling season—sturdy bagels hold juicy patties and a creamy dill pickle spread for a bright, tangy finish.
Technically it might not be summer yet, but around my house any stretch of three consecutive days over 80°F signals grill season. We try to cook outside as much as possible, and bread that doesn’t require turning on the oven is a huge win. Bagels are the ideal choice—chewy, sturdy, and perfectly suited to hold a thick, grilled burger.
I once brought back a suitcase full of New York bagels after a trip—everything and pumpernickel varieties that smelled heavenly and made the flight a little more aromatic than I expected. My kids loved them, and we quickly discovered that those chewy bagels made a fantastic base for burgers. Paired with a dill pickle cream cheese spread, they became a favorite in our household.
The combination works because the bagel stands up to a hot, juicy patty, while the dill pickle cream cheese adds a cool, tangy contrast. Add fresh greens for crunch and color, and you have a simple, satisfying meal that’s easy to assemble right off the grill.
Bagel Burgers
While New York bagels are tough to beat, you don’t need them to enjoy this recipe. Any good bakery bagel will work—everything or pumpernickel are especially nice with the dill-pickle flavors. When making the dill pickle cream cheese dip, aim for a slightly thicker texture so it spreads well on the bagel; the original recipe includes tips for that. I also recommend doubling the dip recipe so you have plenty to slather on each sandwich.
Use the lettuce you prefer—red or green leaf gives a nice tender texture, but iceberg, romaine, or other lettuces all work fine. The key is the balance of textures and flavors: toasted bagel, juicy burger, cool dill-pickle cream cheese, and crisp greens.
If you like economical and flavorful ground beef recipes, this bagel burger pairs well with other quick ground-beef dishes such as fried rice-style burgers or Korean-inspired beef preparations. But for these sandwiches, keep it simple: well-seasoned patties, a hot grill, and a generous smear of dill pickle cream cheese.
Bagel Burgers with Dill Pickle Cream Cheese
Rebecca Lindamood
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredients per burger:
- Dill Pickle Dip (cream cheese based)
- Grilled burger patty
- 1 pumpernickel or everything bagel split for toasting
- Olive oil
- Mixed spring greens or lettuce of choice
Instructions
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Drizzle olive oil on the cut sides of the bagel. Toast the bagel, oiled side down, until golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes. Spread dill pickle dip generously on the bottom half, add a grilled burger patty, a handful of greens, and top with the other half of the bagel. Serve immediately.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using the specific ingredients you use with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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