Chipotle Beef Burgers with Guacamole

Ingredients

For the Chipotle Burgers:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Guacamole:

• 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional for extra heat)
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper to taste

For serving:

• 4 burger buns
• Lettuce leaves
• Sliced tomatoes
• Pepper jack cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill or stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, cilantro, minced garlic, chipotle pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape them into patties about 1.5–2 cm thick, with a small indentation in the centre.
4. Place the burger patties on the preheated grill and start checking after about 4–5 minutes per side. Continue cooking until a food thermometer inserted sideways into the centre of each patty reads 71°C/160°F. Colour and juices do not establish safe doneness.
5. While the burgers are cooking, prepare the guacamole. In a bowl, mash the ripe avocados with a fork. Add red onion, cilantro, diced tomato, jalapeño (if using), lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
6. Toast the burger buns on the grill for a minute or until they are lightly browned.
7. Assemble the burgers by placing a cooked patty on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a generous spoonful of guacamole, lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, and pepper jack cheese if desired.
8. Place the top half of the bun over the toppings . Serve immediately.
9. Serve the Southwest Chipotle Burgers with extra guacamole on the side and enjoy your delicious, spicy creation!

Adjusting heat and texture

For less heat, start with 1 teaspoon of chipotle and omit the optional jalapeño; never taste the raw beef mixture. Drain excess liquid from the diced tomato before mixing it into the guacamole. Mash the avocado roughly if you prefer a chunky topping.

Make the guacamole shortly before serving and keep it cold. Prepare vegetables and toppings on a clean board, away from raw beef. Use a clean plate for the cooked burgers. Contains egg and usually wheat; cheese adds milk.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in a covered, shallow container within two hours (one hour above 32°C/90°F). Keep at 4°C/40°F or colder and use within 3–4 days. Reheat cooked leftovers to 74°C/165°F.

Temperature guidance: USDA safe food handling.