New Mexican Green Chile Cheeseburger

By
MacKenzie Smith
MacKenzie Smith
Recipe developer, food stylist, author, and teacher with a passion for sandwiches. She's behind the popular blog Grilled Cheese Social.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/26/21
Southwestern Green Chile Burger
Grilled Cheese Social
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1154 Calories
71g Fat
60g Carbs
66g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 1154
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 71g 91%
Saturated Fat 30g 151%
Cholesterol 295mg 98%
Sodium 1444mg 63%
Total Carbohydrate 60g 22%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 66g
Vitamin C 30mg 148%
Calcium 574mg 44%
Iron 9mg 48%
Potassium 905mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This spicy green chile cheeseburger is inspired by the green chile movement of New Mexico. The beef is seasoned with a Mexican-inspired blend of fragrant spices like cumin, smoked paprika and chile powder and is topped with fiery melted pepper jack cheese, and fresh tomatoes.

Special note: If the green hatch chiles taste too spicy straight out of the jar or, feel free to throw them on the griddle next to the burger to release some of their heat or mix them with some mild salsa verde to make them more suitable for your palate. 

Ingredients

  • 1/8 teaspoon cumin

  • 1/8 teaspoon chile powder

  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/3 pound ground beef

  • 1/2 tablespoon oil

  • 1 brioche bun

  • 1/2 tablespoon mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon green chiles

  • 2 slices pepper jack cheese

  • 2 slices beefsteak tomato

  • Pinch kosher salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Begin by mixing cumin, chile powder, salt, garlic power, and smoked paprika in a small dish.

  3. Form meat into a patty shape, pressing down in middle so that there's a dent in the middle. Sprinkle all sides with seasoning salt and set aside,

  4. Grill or heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add seasoned beef patty and cook for a few minutes on each side, trying to only flip once, until burger is cooked to your likeness.

  5. When meat is done, remove cast iron from heat, leaving patty inside—and place 2 slices of pepper jack cheese on top of patty, cover with a lid or tinfoil, and let residual heat melt the cheese for a few minutes.

  6. Once cheese starts to soften and ooze down, place green chiles on top of burger and put lid back on. 

  7. Meanwhile, toast bun under broiler—being extra careful not to let brioche burn.

  8. Once bun is toasted, smear each interior side with half the mayo and add green chile pepper jack patty to bottom of bun. Top with tomatoes, a sprinkle of salt, and top half of brioche bun.

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.