Jalapeño Burger Recipe

Form patties

Place ground beef in a bowl. Sprinkle kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder over the meat. Gently mix with your hands until just combined—do not overwork. Divide into two equal portions and form each into a 3/4"-thick patty, making a slight dimple in the center of each patty to prevent bulging while cooking.

Preheat grill

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high (about 400°F / 200°C). Oil the grates lightly or brush patties with a touch of oil to prevent sticking.

Grill patties

Place patties on the grill. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side for medium doneness (internal temperature ~160°F / 71°C for ground beef), or adjust time to your preferred doneness. During the last 1 minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of pepper jack cheese and close the grill lid or cover the pan to melt the cheese.

While the grill preheats, halve jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds if you prefer milder heat (leave some seeds for more spice). Toss jalapeño halves with olive oil and place them cut-side down on the grill or in a hot cast-iron skillet. Grill 2–3 minutes until charred and softened, turning once for even charring. Remove and let cool slightly, then thinly slice crosswise.

Combine sliced jalapeños, thinly sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl. Toss to combine and set aside to let flavors meld while patties cook.

In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, minced chipotle in adobo, honey, lime zest and 1/8 tsp salt until smooth. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness as desired (add more chipotle for heat or more honey for sweetness). Keep refrigerated until assembly.

Lightly butter the cut sides of the buns. When the patties are nearly done, place the buns cut-side down on the grill for about 30–45 seconds to toast, watching carefully to prevent burning.

To assemble: spread about 1 tablespoon of the chipotle mayo on the bottom bun. Place a lettuce leaf on the mayo, then the cheesy burger patty. Top the patty with a generous spoonful of the grilled jalapeño-onion mixture. Add a tomato slice, another small drizzle of sauce on the top bun if desired, and close the burger. Repeat for the second burger.

Serve immediately with your choice of sides (fries, chips, or a simple green salad).