Jalapeno-Onion Smash Burger
We’re taking a classic smash burger and giving it a serious flavor upgrade with these incredible Jalapeño-Onion Smash Burgers, inspired by the culinary experts at @foodandwine.
This isn’t just any burger—it’s a perfect balance of bold, savory, and spicy flavors. Imagine a thin, crispy-edged beef patty smashed with finely diced jalapeños and sweet onions, creating a perfect crust while the burger cooks. The peppers bring just the right amount of heat, while the onions caramelize into a savory-sweet flavor bomb. Served on a soft bun with your favorite toppings, this burger is a total game-changer.
It’s the ideal recipe for your next backyard BBQ, a game day gathering, or just when you’re craving something with a little extra kick. They’re quick to make and absolutely delicious.
Ready to spice up your next meal? Let’s get grilling!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
Ingredients
Burger Sauce
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Smash Burger
- 1 1/2 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 tsp canola oil
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced – about 2 cups (we love the sweet onions!)
- 1 large jalapeno chile, very thinly sliced – about 1/2 cup (take out seeds if you want less heat)
- 1 1/4 tsp salt, divided
- 3/4 tsp pepper, divided
- 4 sliced American cheese
- 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
Instructions
Part 1: Prepare the Sauce & Patties
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Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together all of the burger sauce ingredients. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
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Form the Patties: Divide the ground beef into eight 3-ounce portions and shape each into a loose ball. Place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, cover, and chill while you prepare your grill.
Part 2: Cook the Smash Burgers
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Prep Grill & Skillet: Preheat your grill to high heat (450°F to 500°F). Place a large cast-iron skillet or griddle on the grill to preheat. (You can also do this on a stovetop.)
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Cook Onions & Jalapeños: Drizzle the hot skillet with oil. Working in batches, arrange the onion slices in eight small mounds, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Top each mound with jalapeño slices and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the onions begin to brown.
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Smash the Patties: Place one meatball on top of each onion mound. Cover with a 3-inch square of parchment paper and use a sturdy spatula or burger press to firmly flatten the meatball into a 4-inch wide patty. Remove the parchment paper.
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Cook & Flip: Sprinkle the patties with the remaining salt and pepper. Cook, undisturbed, for 2-3 minutes until they begin to crisp around the edges. Flip the patties so the onion-jalapeño mixture is now on top.
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Add Cheese & Stack: Place a slice of cheese on each of four of the patties. Continue to cook for 1½ to 2 minutes, until the patties are well-browned and the cheese is melted. Place a non-cheese patty on top of each of the cheese-covered patties to create four double-stacks.
Part 3: Assemble the Burgers
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Transfer each burger stack to a bottom bun. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the chilled burger sauce on the top bun and place it on the patties. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- If ever you see a Food and Wine magazine at the grocery store – most likely you’re going to want to grab it. We love getting inspiration from them. Also check out their website: www.foodandwine.com.
- We like to toast our buns on the griddle just until slightly golden brown.
Keywords: Main Dish, Dinner, Lunch, Burger, Onion, Jalapeno, Smash Burger