How to make jalapeño popper burgers

Photos for this recipe are from Erin Hungsberg (IG: erin_hungsberg)

I've combined two of my favorite things, jalapeño poppers and hamburgers to create the best burger ever! The juicy burger patty is topped with all the ingredients from a traditional jalapeño popper including cream cheese, diced jalapenos, cheddar cheese and crispy bacon. There is so much flavor with every bite and your guests will never know how easy it was to make. 

Ingredients you will need to make this recipe: 

Fresh jalapeños

Burger patties 

Cream cheese 

Cheddar cheese 

Bacon 

Brioche buns 

Tex Mex seasoning

Roasted garlic paste 

Mayonnaise 

Lime Juice 

Why you need to make this recipe

Burgers can be so boring, but not this one. This recipe is a flavor bomb. I mean it's seriously good. From the flavor you get with the grilled burgers, to the bite from the fresh jalapenos and the balance of the two cheese's, you're going to love this one. Not to mention bacon, because everything is better with it! 

Preparation: 

Before you grill the burgers feel free to prep these things ahead of time. 

Make the Tex Mex seasoning: 

The Tex Mex seasoning, similar to taco seasoning has a blend of spices like chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika and kosher salt. I just mix the spices together in a small bowl and season each side of the burger. Here is the recipe!

This seasoning is great on tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and these jalapeño popper burgers. If you don't have time to make the seasoning, there are usually a few pre made options at the grocery store. You could also use taco seasoning if you want or just season with salt, pepper and a little garlic powder. 

Crisp up the bacon: 

I like to dice up a few pieces of thick cut bacon and cook them over medium heat on my stove top while the grill is heating up. Once the bacon is crispy, go ahead and set them on plate with a paper towel to soak up some of the grease. 

Make the garlic and lime mayo. 

If you aren't a fan of mayo you can skip this step, but for me I always include this simple mayonnaise recipe for the burgers. Simply mix together store bought mayonnaise, some roasted garlic paste and fresh lime juice. Reserve this mayo for spreading on the burger buns when assembling everything together. 

If you want to roast fresh garlic, try my recipe for easy roasted garlic!

How to make jalapeño popper burgers. 

First take your burger patties and season them with the Tex Mex seasoning. Preheat your grill to medium high heat, and crisp up your bacon.

Once the grill is up to temperature, grill the burger patties until they reach an internal temperature of 140°F. Try not to flip the burgers too many times during grilling so they stay together. Once the burgers reach an internal temp of about 140°F it's time to add the toppings. 

I slice two pieces of cream cheese off the block while it is still cold and then place it right on top of the burger.

Then I follow it up with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese, 4 thinly sliced jalapeños, and some of that crispy bacon. The cheeses will melt down and soften and you will have the perfect burger. 

Right after I remove the burgers off the grill, I like to toast brioche buns and then assemble everything together. 

Assembling the jalapeño popper burgers. 

Spread on the garlic and lime mayo to the top and bottom buns and then place your burger right in-between the buns! Thats really all there is to it.

Wait until you take the first bite, there is so much going on in these flavorful burgers. 

Variations:

Use pickled jalapeños instead of fresh: 

If you like the flavor of pickled jalapeños feel free to use those instead of fresh. I like the crunch of the fresh ones but either option is delicious. 

Experiment with different cheeses:

I like cheddar cheese, but smoked gouda, mozzarella or swiss would be good. 

Try a leaner option:

If you want a leaner option ground turkey or chicken would work really well here. 

Stuff it: 

You could stuff the burger toppings in between two patties if you are feeling really adventurous. If you are going this route, make two thin patties and place the mixture right in the center of the patty and place the other one on top. Then push the edges together.

Make sure the edges are sealed all the way so the cream cheese mixture does not leak out. 

If you like this recipe, give these a try! 

Bacon jam burger 

Atomic buffalo turds 

Candied bacon crackers 

Smoked jalapeno popper dip 

FAQ

Is this burger spicy?

This burger really isn't that spicy. Don't let the jalapenos fool you. They balance well with the cream cheese and will not be overpowered. 

What if I don't have a grill?

If you don't have access to a grill, cook the burgers in a pan right on your stove top. 

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