Quadruple Chile Cheeseburgers Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated Aug. 30, 2018
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J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

A fat patty of grilled beef draped with a melty, oozy slice of pepper jack cheese, topped with roasted green chiles, and a handful of pickled jalapeños, served on a hearty bun with a generous swipe of chipotle mayonnaise. This is the burger that bites back.

Recipe Details

Quadruple Chile Cheeseburgers Recipe

Active 45 mins
Total 60 mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 whole fresh poblano or hatch chiles
  • 2 pounds freshly ground beef chuck
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 chipotle pepper canned in adobo, finely chopped, plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
  • 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 8 slices pepperjack or pepper colby-jack cheese
  • 4 large hamburger buns
  • 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapeños

Directions

  1. Divide meat into four even piles and shape into burger patties about 1/2-inch wider than burger buns. Season generously with salt and pepper and set aside.

  2. Place chiles directly over a gas burner and cook, turning occasionally, until charred and blistered all over. Alternatively, place chiles as close as possible to broiler element set to high and cook, turning occasionally, until charred and blistered all over. Transfer to a sheet of aluminum foil and wrap tightly. Set aside for five minutes, then remove from foil and carefully peel off most of skin. Discard stems and seeds. Roughly chop chiles.

  3. Combine chipotle, adobo sauce, and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside.

  4. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set half the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate.

  5. Place burgers directly over hot side of grill and cook, turning occasionally, until well charred and internal temperature registers 125°F to 130°F on an instant read thermometer for medium-rare, about 5 minutes total, or 135°F to 140°F for medium, about 6 minutes total. Top each burger patty with two slices of cheese, then transfer to a large plate and tent with aluminum foil.

  6. Toast buns directly over hot side of grill until browned, about 30 seconds.

  7. Place bottom buns on a cutting board. Top with burger patties. Top burger patties with roasted chiles and pickled jalapeños. Top with chipotle mayonnaise. Close sandwiches and serve.

Special equipment

Grill

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