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Spicy Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers Recipe

These Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers are a flavor-packed treat for burger lovers who enjoy a bit of heat. The combination of thinly sliced onions and jalapeños caramelizing directly on the grill beneath the beef patty creates a unique texture and taste. The burger sauce, made with mayonnaise, ketchup, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce, adds a tangy, creamy layer that complements the spice. Topped with melted American cheese and served on toasted buns, these burgers are perfect for a weekend barbecue or a casual dinner with friends.

Featured in Evening meals for every day.

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Updated on Fri, 03 Jan 2025 21:40:00 GMT
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Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers | myhomemaderecipe.com

If you’re in the mood for a burger with a bit of a kick, these Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers are exactly what you need. Combining the spiciness of jalapeños with the savory sweetness of caramelized onions, these burgers deliver a flavor explosion in every bite.

Ingredients

  • Mayonnaise: The base for the burger sauce, providing creaminess and richness.
  • Ketchup: Adds a tangy sweetness to the burger sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a deep umami flavor to the sauce.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a bit of bite to the sauce and burgers.
  • Garlic Powder: Provides a subtle garlic flavor to the sauce.
  • Kosher Salt: Seasoning the sauce, burgers, and toppings to enhance all the flavors.
  • Ground Beef: Use 80% lean ground beef for the perfect balance of juiciness and flavor.
  • Canola Oil: Used for grilling the onions and jalapeños, ensuring they cook evenly and develop a nice char.
  • Yellow Onion: Thinly sliced to caramelize on the grill, adding sweetness and texture to the burgers.
  • Jalapeño Chile: Adds heat and a distinctive pepper flavor to the burgers.
  • American Cheese Slices: Melted on top of the patties, providing a creamy contrast to the spicy jalapeños.
  • Hamburger Buns: Toasted to add a bit of crunch and prevent them from getting soggy.

Instructions

Step 1:
Begin by making the burger sauce. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Cover and chill the sauce until you're ready to assemble the burgers.
Step 2:
Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions, each weighing about 3 ounces. Gently shape each portion into a loose ball, and place them on a plate. Cover the plate and refrigerate while you prepare the grill.
Step 3:
Preheat your grill to high heat, around 450°F to 500°F. Place a large cast-iron skillet or griddle on the grill to preheat as well. Alternatively, you can heat a cast-iron skillet on the stove over high heat.
Step 4:
Drizzle the preheated skillet with canola oil, ensuring it coats the surface evenly. Arrange the onion slices in 8 small mounds on the skillet, with each mound about 1/4 cup. Top the onion mounds with jalapeño slices, using about 1 tablespoon per mound. Season each mound with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook undisturbed for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the onions begin to brown.
Step 5:
Place a beef ball on top of each onion mound. Using a sturdy spatula or burger press, press down firmly on each ball to flatten it into a 4-inch-wide patty. Remove the parchment paper if using. Season the patties with the remaining kosher salt and black pepper. Let the patties cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until the edges begin to crisp.
Step 6:
Flip the patties so that the onion-jalapeño mixture is on top. Place a slice of American cheese on 4 of the patties. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted and the patties are well browned, about 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Stack a plain patty on top of each cheese-covered patty to create double stacks.

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Serve these smash burgers immediately while they are hot and the cheese is melted.
  • Pair with classic sides like French fries, coleslaw, or a crisp green salad.
  • If you have leftovers, store the patties and buns separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Reheat the patties on a skillet over medium heat to maintain their crispy texture. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the burgers soggy.

Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers

These Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers bring together the heat of jalapeños, the sweetness of onions, and a juicy beef patty in a deliciously crispy burger.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Dinners

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 burgers)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 3 tablespoons mayonnaise.
02 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup.
03 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
04 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
05 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
06 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
07 1 1/2 pounds high-quality 80% lean ground beef.
08 1 teaspoon canola oil.
09 1 large yellow onion, very thinly sliced (about 2 cups).
10 1 large jalapeño chile, very thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup).
11 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided.
12 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided.
13 4 American cheese slices.
14 4 soft hamburger buns, split and toasted.

Instructions

Step 01

Stir together all burger sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Cover, and chill until ready to use.

Step 02

Divide beef into 8 (3-ounce) portions, and shape each portion into a loose ball; place on a plate. Cover, and chill while preparing grill.

Step 03

Cut a 3-inch square of parchment paper; set aside. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F); place a large cast-iron skillet or griddle on the grill to preheat. (Alternatively, heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle on the stove over high.).

Step 04

Drizzle skillet evenly with oil. Working in batches if needed, arrange onion slices in 8 small mounds (about 1/4 cup each) on the skillet, spacing at least 2 inches apart. Top onion mounds with jalapeño slices (about 1 tablespoon each), and sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until onions are beginning to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 05

Place 1 meatball on each onion mound. Top with parchment paper square, and press firmly to flatten, using a sturdy spatula or burger press, to form a 4-inch-wide patty; remove parchment paper. Repeat process with remaining meatballs and onion mounds. Sprinkle smashed patties evenly with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until patties begin to crisp around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 06

Flip patties so that the onion-jalapeño mixture is on top. Place 1 cheese slice on each of 4 patties. Continue to cook until patties are well browned and cheese is melted, 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Top each cheese-covered patty with a plain patty to create 4 double stacks. Transfer each stack to a bottom bun. Spread about 1 tablespoon of burger sauce on each top bun; place on top of patties. Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. For an extra kick, use a spicier variety of jalapeños or add hot sauce to the burger sauce.
  2. The patties should be pressed very thin to achieve the characteristic 'smash' burger texture.
  3. Toasting the buns adds a pleasant crunch and helps prevent them from getting soggy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Total Fat: 45 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 31 g