If you love creamy, cheesy jalapeno poppers, then these Jalapeno Popper Burgers are for you! Imagine thick, beefy, meaty burgers topped with a spicy, creamy, cheesy topping – that’s what these hearty burgers are all about! With flavor in every bite, fire up your grill and do your burgers differently!

Jalapeno Popper burger

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Jalapeno Popper Burgers are next-generation burgers. These aren’t your usual burgers; instead, they’re meaty wonders topped with a cheesy jalapeno-packed topping that melts down over the top of the beefy patty infusing everything with flavor.

Jalapeno Popper Burgers

These colossal burgers are perfect for anyone who loves serious flavor. I love making them for outdoor parties, cookouts, BBQs, and anytime we have family and friends over. They’re often recommended for Father’s Day and Independence Day picnics. If you have a grill, you must try these burgers!

half of a a Jalapeno Popper burger

Jalapeno Popper Burgers are easy to make. Don’t be intimidated by them! You make the ground beef mixture, form the patties, make the jalapeno popper topping, and then put it all together on a bakery-fresh bun. 

With flavor in every single bite, these easy hamburgers are fabulous! Serve with a side of our Mexican Slaw or Grilled Corn Pineapple Salad. YUM!

a Jalapeno Popper burger

Why I love this recipe

  • I love that I can make the patties and the popper topping ahead of time and pop them into the fridge until I’m ready to grill.
  • The spice level is adjustable! Add more or less jalapeno depending on how much spice you want in your burger.
  • These burgers cook quickly over charcoal or on a gas grill.

ingredients to make popper burgers

Gather these ingredients

  • Cream cheese – Softened.
  • Pepper Jack cheese – Shredded.
  • Mozzarella cheese – Shredded.
  • Jalapeno peppers – Seeded and minced.
  • Bacon – Cooked and chopped.
  • Ground beef – I like using 80/20 beef for this recipe so the burgers are juicy.
  • Chili powder
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • Hamburger buns – Brioche buns are fabulous with these burgers.
  • Tomato slices
  • Red onion – Thinly sliced.
  • Leafy lettuce
  • Burger sauce – 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 ½ tablespoons ketchup and ½ teaspoon garlic powder combined.
  • Pickled jalapeno slices – Optional.

how to make Jalapeno Popper burgers

How to make the best Jalapeno Popper Burgers

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high.
  2. Mash the cream cheese, shredded cheese, chopped bacon, and diced jalapenos in a bowl with a fork until well mixed. Season with salt and pepper. 
  3. Divide the cheese mixture into 4 balls, then flatten each ball down slightly to about the same diameter as the burgers.
  4. Mix the beef, chili powder, salt and pepper and form them into 4-inch patties about ½-inch thick.
  5. Place the patties on a hot grill and cook for about 4 minutes per side for medium burgers.
  6. Place a flattened cheese ball on each patty and continue cooking until the cheese starts to melt and the burgers reach 160-F on a digital meat thermometer.
  7. Toast the brioche buns on the grill during the last minute or two of cooking.
  8. Assemble your burger by placing the patty on the bottom bun, then spread on a spoonful of the special sauce. Top with a slice of red onion, lettuce, tomato, and some pickled jalapenos. Add the top bun and serve immediately.

grilling a burger

Tips & substitutions

  • Love your burgers really spicy? Add more jalapeno or up your spice with serrano chilis instead of jalapenos.
  • Want milder flavor? Use less jalapeno, or even go with poblano peppers for a great chili flavor with less heat.
  • Make the burgers patties up to a day ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge. 
  • You can also make the cheese topping up to a day in advance.

burger with popper filling

Serving suggestions

Keep things simple and serve your burgers with crispy potato chips, or opt for healthier cut veggies. If you’re going all out, serve your Jalapeno Popper Burgers with tasty sides like a flavorful Summer Squash Salad or a classic macaroni salad.

a half of a Jalapeno Popper burger

Storage

Store any leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Once assembled, the burgers won’t keep as long because the buns will get soggy, and the veggies will wilt. If you do need to package up the leftovers, pull the burgers apart and wrap up the buns, patties, and veggies separately.

Jalapeno Popper burgers with chips

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Jalapeno Popper burger
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Jalapeno Popper Burgers

Big meaty burgers infused with jalapeno flavor and oodles of cheese are what these Jalapeno Popper Burgers are all about!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4
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Ingredients
 

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ⅔ cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
  • ⅔ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • 1-2 medium jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced (depending on the heat you like)
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ tsp. chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp Fresh cracked black pepper
  • 4 hamburger buns, we love Brioche, split and toasted
  • 4 tomato slices
  • ¾ cup red onion, very thinly sliced
  • Leafy lettuce
  • Pickled jalapeño slices, optional

Special sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ketchup
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high.
  • In a medium bowl, mash with a fork the cream cheese, shredded cheese, chopped bacon, and finely diced jalapeño. Salt and pepper to taste. Divide into 4 balls and set aside. Press down and slightly flatten the balls.
  • Mix the beef, chili powder, salt and pepper with your hands (you can wear kitchen gloves). Form into four patties about 4 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.
  • Preheat the grill to medium-high. Place patties on grill and cook until cooked through to your liking, about 4 minutes per side for medium.
  • Place a flattened cheese ball on each patty and continue cooking until the thermometer in thickest part of a burger registers 160 degrees F and the cheese starts to melt.
  • During the last few minutes, toast brioche buns on the grill.
  • Assemble the burger: On the bottom bun, place a pattie, and next spread special sauce. Add red onions, lettuce, tomato, and pickled jalapenos. Add the top bun and serve immediately.
  • Serve with potato chips!
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer
Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

Jalapeno Popper burgers with sauce