Bacon Jalapeno Burgers with Chipotle Sauce

by Erin

Don’t you just love when you’ve come home from a long day, and dinner is hot and ready upon your arrival? If that phenomenon occurs in your world on a regular basis, then I envy you because it is a rarity for me. They occur as frequently as today’s date (hooray leap year!). Living alone certainly has it’s plus sides but you definitely cannot rely on anyone else other than yourself to put food in front of you at the table (or standing at the counter, or reading blogs at your computer). That is until you have friends come to visit and you put them to work!

Bob came to visit two weekends ago and since he is just about as food-obsessed as I am, we turned my kitchen upside-down. (I also put him to work as my lab slave when I went to lab to count cell colonies forming on agarose plates – this is science folks). But one night after I was at work all day, I had the luxury of not lifting a single finger in order to have this meal appear. And of course such a momentous occasion had to be shared so Maggie came over to enjoy it as well (and to escape from the meatloaf dinner alternative). She and I devoured the bacon that should’ve been reserved for the leftover fourth burger, but we deserved it after spin class.

Other than the obviously delicious bacon, the burgers as a whole were fantastic. The chipotle sauce was the perfect addition and the pretzel (bretzel) bun is my favorite carb with which to surround a burger. Moral of the story? I need to leave visitors alone at my home more often so that magical food appears. Especially thick crispy bacon.

(Of course I did have a role in planning this meal since we had gone to the grocery store a couple days prior to get the ingredients, and it was my idea to substitute the mayo for Greek yogurt in the sauce, but I’m not trying to take all the credit :-P)

BACON JALAPENO BURGERS WITH CHIPOTLE SAUCE

Serves 4

CHIPOTLE SAUCE

1/4 cup Chobani plain 2% Greek yogurt

1-2 chipotle peppers

2 tsp adobo sauce* (optional)

BURGERS

1-1/3 pounds ground beef

Sprinkle of salt, pepper, garlic powder

4 rounds of red onion

4 slices sharp cheddar cheese

8 slices crispy cooked bacon

16-20 pickled jalapeno slices

4 bretzel rolls (or other rolls if you choose)

Lettuce

*Note: You can find cans of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in the Ethnic aisle at your grocery store. I pull out a pepper or 2 & dice them up, and then use the adobo sauce straight from the can. Store the leftovers in a little airtight container in the fridge for future use.

Directions:

  1. For the Chipotle Sauce: Mix together ingredients until combined.
  2. For the Burgers: Divide the ground beef into four 1/3 pound burgers. Patty them out and set them on a large plate. Season with a simple sprinkling of salt, pepper, and garlic powder (make sure you season both sides). Set aside until ready to grill (or pan sear if it’s cold where you are).
  3. Heat grill (or pan) to medium to medium-high heat and grill for a 4-7 minutes on each side until desired doneness. During last minute of cooking – add a slice of cheese to each burger and close cover until cheese begins to melt. While the burgers are cooking, add the onion sliced and allow them to char a bit on each side and begin to soften. Remove burger and onions from grill and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
  4. Place a burger on each bun and top with 2 slices of bacon and 4-5 jalapeno slices. Slather some of the chipotle sauce on the top bun and place a grilled onion round on top. Add a little lettuce if you so desire and place to halves of the bun together. Slice in half and serve!

Source: Adapted slightly from My Life as a Mrs.

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19 comments

Kita March 8, 2012 - 6:28 pm

Living with someone does not mean you ever come home to a cooked meal ;) lol, trust me I know.

This burger looks so good right now! I wish I could chew…. Im such a sucker for great burgers.

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spiffycookie March 8, 2012 - 6:32 pm

Oh yes I am aware haha. When Brent lived with me he never cooked.

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Sarah from 20something cupcakes March 2, 2012 - 6:20 am

This is like 5 of my favorite things! Love your use of Greek yogurt. I’ve been meaning to try it with chipotle.

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Baker Street March 1, 2012 - 6:15 am

I love a good burger every now and then and don’t really bother myself with the calories! This would surely be a great treat.

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Vicki @WITK March 1, 2012 - 5:49 am

Since I’ve moved in with boyfriend I believe dinner was reay once and it was because he stopped and got a pizza! :) great job planning this meal and very awesome of your friend to execute it!

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Deborah March 1, 2012 - 1:25 am

I get Saturday breakfasts made for me, but that’s all. I would love to come home to one of these – it looks and sounds amazing!!

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Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. February 29, 2012 - 9:55 pm

I love a good burger and this is a good burger! I love the chipotle sauce!

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Tracey February 29, 2012 - 8:25 pm

I so wish dinner magically appeared on my table once in a while without any effort, but sadly that pretty much never happens here. My husband does however have that good fortune :) I’m glad you got to experience it, if only for one night! Your burger looks fantastic, such great flavors!

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spiffycookie February 29, 2012 - 9:20 pm

Does he at least do the dishes?

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Carolyn February 29, 2012 - 7:33 pm

Love the flavours here. Chipotle is one of my all-time favourites in savoury dishes.

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Emily @ Life on Food February 29, 2012 - 7:09 pm

I have to say that this happens almost every week night in my home however so does a large pile of dishes. And the magic fairy does not make those go away. This burger looks delicious!

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spiffycookie February 29, 2012 - 9:21 pm

I think it’s fair that whoever cooks doesn’t have to do the dishes.

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Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers February 29, 2012 - 6:57 pm

Ok, I think I love you! :) You make all the foods I love! I’m coming to your house for dinner and dessert!

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Biz February 29, 2012 - 4:12 pm

OMG, you had me at pickled jalapeno – yum! Love the idea of the chipotle sauce!!

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Maureen February 29, 2012 - 4:08 pm

Now this would make me sit up and take notice. Wow! Spicy deliciousness!

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Steph@stephsbitebybite February 29, 2012 - 12:40 pm

This looks incredible! I’d have to pass on the jalepenos though, they are a little too spicy for me :)

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Lacy @ NYCityEats February 29, 2012 - 11:50 am

This sounds amazing! And I think the only way dinner would be ready when I got home is if my boyfriend fell, hit his head, and forgot that the kitchen scares the crap out of him. :) I love the chipotle sauce & the pretzel roll yum!!

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Liz @ Southern Charm February 29, 2012 - 11:16 am

I’ve been craving a good burger, and I think this just sent me over the edge. Need. One. Now. … and would like to have this one!

Reply

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