Whether it’s summer barbecue time or you’re ready for a little heat during the cold months, jalapeño burgers turn the popular basic burger into something fiery and bold. This recipe is so easy to make that even junior grill masters can pull it off with little extra effort at all.
This recipe uses six jalapeño peppers, four of which are minced for use in the burger patties and two to slice into wheels for optional extra heat. If that sounds like too much spiciness for you, feel free to cut back on the amount of chilies minced and added into the patties.
Of course, if it doesn’t sound spicy enough, go for those rings atop the burger (as many as you’d like.) Or upgrade your heat by opting for serrano peppers instead. They have a comparable bright, grassy flavor (just right with burger), but with a noticeable jump in spiciness (10,000 to 23,000 Scoville heat units compared to the jalapeño at 2,500 to 8,000 SHU).
We leave the choice of spices up to you. We made ours with chili powder seasoning, but you could try cumin, Cajun seasoning, or smoked paprika just to name a few. And, of course, cheese is optional (but oh so tasty!)
Like spicy burgers? You’ll like these recipes too:
- Messy Mexican Burger: Mexican spices, salsa, cheese. Really the works is on this burger, so bring a napkin or three to the table.
- Five-Star Chili Burgers with Homemade Relish: Looking for a gourmet chili burger experience? This recipe nails it, with homemade relish to boot.
- Chipotle Mushroom Burger: Meat-free, but totally meaty mushroom caps meet smoky chipotle sauce, mozzarella, and gouda cheese.
Jalapeño Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean is preferable
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or corn oil, sunflower oil (or another high-heat oil)
- 6 jalapeño peppers 4 minced (seeds removed for less heat, keep seeds in for more) and 2 cut into wheels (for burger garnish)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or opt for another spicy seasoning like Cajun spices, paprika, or cayenne pepper
- 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Mix together the ground beef, jalapeño peppers, garlic, and tomato paste. Form the mixture into patties (roughly 6 patties).
- Sprinkle the patties on both sides with chili powder (or the spice of your choice).
- Grill your burgers or fry on the stove top using the following instructions. Over medium-high heat, heat the oil, then add the burgers. Fry the burgers for 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on how well done you want your burger.
- Remove the burgers from the pan. Optionally, add the buns (inside down) to the pan and slightly toast the buns.
- Serve the burger on the buns. and top with jalapeño wheels and cheese (optional.)