Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners
Craving a juicy, cheesy burger? These Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers are the perfect solution. After making these countless times, I’ve mastered the trick to keeping the patties moist and the cheese perfectly melted. The crispy edges and melty cheese will make your taste buds dance. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl and Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole.
Why This Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners Is Pure Comfort
- Melty cheddar and spicy jalapeño in every bite
- Crispy edges and a juicy center
- Ready in just 20 minutes
What You'll Need for Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: Burger buns
- Optional: Lettuce
- Optional: Tomato
- Optional: Onion
- Optional: Pickles
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ground beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for the best results.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked, juicy burgers every time. → See on Amazon
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners
- Prepare the patties: In a bowl, combine ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix in the chopped jalapeños. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Use your thumb to create an indentation in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up while cooking.
- Cook the burgers: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Top each patty with shredded cheddar cheese during the last minute of cooking.
- Assemble the burgers: Place the cooked patties on burger buns and add your desired toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overmix the beef mixture. Overmixing can lead to tough burgers. To prevent this, mix the ingredients just until combined.
- Pro tip: Chilling the patties for 30 minutes before cooking can help prevent them from falling apart on the grill.
- Pro tip: To add a smoky flavor, cook the burgers on a preheated grill for 4-5 minutes on each side instead of using a skillet.
Storing & Reheating Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the beef mixture and shape the patties up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Freezing Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners
Freeze uncooked patties for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat patties in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or until warmed through. Be careful, as the cheese may become overly melty.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier burger, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in the mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute the jalapeños with diced bell peppers for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the beef mixture and shape the patties up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the burgers are sticking to the skillet, they're not ready to flip. Wait a few more minutes until a crust forms, then flip and cook until done.
Want to level up this recipe?
Food Chopper — Makes quick work of chopping jalapeños and onions, saving you time and effort. → Check price on Amazon
Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Burger buns
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Pickles
Instructions
- Prepare the patties: In a bowl, combine ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix in the chopped jalapeños. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Use your thumb to create an indentation in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up while cooking.
- Cook the burgers: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Top each patty with shredded cheddar cheese during the last minute of cooking.
- Assemble the burgers: Place the cooked patties on burger buns and add your desired toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier burger, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in the mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute the jalapeños with diced bell peppers for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the beef mixture and shape the patties up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the burgers are sticking to the skillet, they're not ready to flip. Wait a few more minutes until a crust forms, then flip and cook until done.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked patties for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
- Oven reheat: Reheat patties in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or until warmed through. Be careful, as the cheese may become overly melty.
- Make ahead: Prepare the beef mixture and shape the patties up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 36g
- Fat: 36g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 16g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the beef mixture and shape the patties up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook. However, it's best to cook and assemble the burgers just before serving for the freshest taste.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry burgers. To prevent this, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the patties reaches 160°F (71°C) but doesn't exceed it.
Yes, cook the patties at 375°F (190°C) for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Top with cheese during the last minute of cooking.
Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Yes, freeze uncooked patties for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking. Cooked burgers can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers for Quick Dinners and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
