Jalapeño Popper Smash Burgers

Ingredients:

For the Burgers:

• 2 lbs Ground Beef (90/10)
• 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
• 1 tablespoon Black Pepper
• 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder

For the Jalapeño Poppers:

• 5-6 Jalapeños, cored and seeded
• 12 oz Cream Cheese, softened
• ⅔ cup Shredded Cheese

For the Chipotle Sauce:

• 1 cup Mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Chipotle Puree
• 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce
• Juice of 2 Limes

For Assembly:

• 8-10 Pepper Jack Cheese Slices
• 10-12 Bacon Slices
• 1 cup Pickled Red Onions
• Burger Buns

Instructions:

Prepare the Jalapeño Poppers:

1. Mix the Filling: Combine cream cheese and shredded cheese.
2. Stuff the Jalapeños: Fill the cored jalapeños with the cheese mixture.
3. Slice: Slice the stuffed jalapeños into 1/2-inch thick rounds.

Prepare the Burgers:

1. Form the Patties: Shape ground beef into patties.
2. Season the Patties: Season the patties with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Grill the Patties: Grill the patties over high heat, adding jalapeño slices to the top of each patty.
4. Add Cheese: Top each patty with a slice of pepper jack cheese.
5. Cook the Bacon: Grill the bacon until crispy.

Assemble the Burgers:

1. Toast the Buns: Toast the burger buns.
2. Spread the Sauce: Spread chipotle sauce on the bottom bun.
3. Layer the Ingredients: Add the burger patty, bacon, and pickled red onions.
4. Top with Sauce and Bun: Top with more chipotle sauce and the top bun.

Tips:

• Adjust the Heat: For a milder flavor, use less spicy jalapeños or reduce the amount of hot sauce in the chipotle sauce.
• Cheese Choice: You can use any type of cheese you prefer, such as cheddar, Swiss, or provolone.
• Pickled Red Onions: Pickled red onions add a tangy, sweet flavor to the burger.
• Resting the Meat: Let the cooked burgers rest for a few minutes before assembling to allow the juices to redistribute.

Enjoy your spicy, cheesy burgers!