Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers offer the ultimate balance of heat and sweetness, thanks to spicy jalapeños and deeply caramelized onions. The thin, crispy-edged patties made from juicy ground beef elevate the texture, while melted cheese and toasted buns round out this crave-worthy creation. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, this burger recipe is perfect for both casual weeknight dinners and backyard BBQs.
Ingredients
For the Smash Burgers:
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1 pound ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
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1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
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4 hamburger buns (brioche recommended)
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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2 tablespoons mayonnaise
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1 tablespoon mustard (optional)
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2 slices American cheese (or cheese of choice)
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Pickled jalapeños (optional)
For the Jalapeño-Onion Topping:
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1 large onion, thinly sliced
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced
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1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for caramelizing)
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Salt and pepper to taste
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sugar halfway through for quicker caramelization. Stir in jalapeños and cook for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
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Form the Patties: Divide ground beef into 4 balls (about 4 oz each). Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat with olive oil.
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Smash and Cook: Place beef balls on the hot skillet and smash down immediately. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, flip, and top with cheese. Cook another minute until cheese melts.
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Toast the Buns: Toast buns in a skillet, cut-side down, until golden, about 2 minutes.
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Assemble the Burgers: Spread mayo (and mustard, if using) on bun bottoms. Top with patties, then jalapeño-onion mixture, and pickled jalapeños if desired. Add top buns and serve.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 4
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 25 minutes
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Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
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Cheese Choices: Swap American cheese for cheddar, pepper jack, or blue cheese.
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Protein Swap: Try ground turkey or plant-based patties for a different spin.
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Toppings Galore: Add avocado, fried egg, crispy bacon, or spicy mayo for extra flair.
Storage/Reheating
Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store jalapeño-onion topping separately for up to 5 days. Freeze patties for up to 3 months. Reheat patties in a skillet or grill to restore crispiness; reheat toppings in a pan until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I make the caramelized onions and jalapeños ahead of time?
Yes, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat before serving.
What’s the best beef for smash burgers?
Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy, flavorful patties with crispy edges.
Can I make the patties ahead of time?
You can form the patties ahead and refrigerate, but smash them fresh for best texture.
What kind of cheese works best?
American melts well, but cheddar, pepper jack, or blue cheese offer different flavor profiles.
Can I grill the smash burgers?
Smash burgers are best on a flat surface like a griddle or skillet for a crisp crust, but you can grill with a cast iron pan.
How spicy are these burgers?
Fresh jalapeños add moderate heat. For less spice, remove seeds. Add pickled jalapeños for more tang and kick.
Can I use store-bought caramelized onions?
Yes, but freshly made ones offer the best flavor and texture.
What can I serve with these burgers?
Pair with fries, coleslaw, grilled veggies, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Can I use turkey or veggie burgers instead?
Absolutely! This recipe works well with turkey or plant-based alternatives.
How do I prevent the patties from shrinking?
Use high-fat beef, don’t overwork the meat, and smash once when hitting the pan.
Conclusion
Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers are an irresistible mix of savory, spicy, and sweet—all sandwiched in a perfectly toasted bun. Whether you’re making them for a weeknight dinner or a backyard feast, their bold flavors and crispy texture guarantee they’ll be the star of any meal. Customize them to your taste, and enjoy this fiery upgrade to your burger game!
Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers
Turn up the flavor with these Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers! Featuring crispy-edged beef patties, caramelized onions, and fresh jalapeños, these burgers are packed with spicy, savory goodness. Perfect for cookouts or casual dinners, they’re a must-try for burger lovers.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4 burgers
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- For the Burgers:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 hamburger buns
- Salt & black pepper
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp mustard (optional)
- 2 slices American cheese
- Pickled jalapeños (optional)
- For Jalapeño-Onion Topping:
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 fresh jalapeños, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Sauté onions in olive oil over medium-low heat for ~20 mins. Add sugar halfway through. Stir in jalapeños and cook 2–3 mins more.
- Form & Cook Patties: Divide beef into 4 balls. Smash on a hot skillet with olive oil. Season, cook 2 mins per side. Add cheese to melt.
- Toast Buns: Toast cut sides of buns in a skillet until golden.
- Assemble: Spread mayo and mustard on buns. Add burger patty, jalapeño-onion topping, and pickled jalapeños if desired.
- Serve: Top with bun, press gently, and serve hot!
Notes
- Use cheddar or pepper jack for a different cheesy vibe.
- Control the spice by removing jalapeño seeds.
- Onions and jalapeños can be prepped ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Patties can be frozen for meal prep.
