This recipe for Jalapeno Popper Burgers takes quality ground beef and stuffs it with a spicy and creamy jalapeno popper blend for a decadent burger with lots of flavor. A Whole30 option is included!
If you love the flavor of jalapeno poppers, you’ll love them even more when they’re stuffed inside a juicy beef burger. It’s the perfect BBQ food when you’re trying to impress or when you just need to give your burgers a pop of decadent texture and flavor that everyone will enjoy.
This recipe starts with a homemade jalapeno popper blend made with freshly charred jalapenos which are mixed with cream cheese and bacon. You’ll then form thin beef burger patties with quality ground beef. The jalapeno popper filling gets stuffed inside the burger before grilling to perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You can customize it to fit a Whole30 lifestyle.
A great way to add a kick of flavor to a burger.
Perfect for a summer BBQ or poolside party.
Serve them on a bun, on top of a salad, or wrapped in lettuce.
Fresh Jalapenos – Adds a kick of spicy heat and fresh garden taste.
Bacon – Gives the filling a salty meaty bite.
Cream Cheese – Binds the filling together with a creamy and tangy base.
Salt & Pepper – Balances the flavors in the filling.
Beef Burger Mix:
Ground Beef – I enjoy using Country Natural Beef Butchers Blend because it’s high quality and makes a great-tasting burger.
Salt & Pepper – Enhances the flavor of the beef.
Instructions
Char the jalapenos: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Rub the jalapeno peppers with the olive oil and grill them with the hood closed over direct heat, flipping them every 3-4 minutes until charred nicely. Turn off the grill heat, and let the peppers steam a bit with the residual heat of the grill. Remove the thin papery skin (gloves are helpful when handling spicy peppers), and the ribs/ seeds within. Dice the pepper flesh small and let cool.
Assemble the jalapeno popper filling: Cook the bacon on a sheet pan in the oven at 400F for 15-18 minutes depending on thickness and size. Remove from oven, cool, and chop into small pieces. Add the chopped bacon, jalapenos, and cream cheese to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix until thoroughly combined. Store in the fridge while forming the burger patties.
Form the burger patties: Divide the ground beef into 6 even sections, then press it flat to make round burger patties without overworking the dough. Make a divet in the center of the burger patties using your fingers.
Assemble stuffed jalapeno popper burgers: Remove the jalapeno popper filling from the fridge and set ⅓ aside as a topping. Divide the remaining filling into 3 even servings, then place the filling in each burger patty right in the center. Take the remaining burger patties and lay them flat over the top of the filling and seal the edges of the burgers creating a stuffed burger. Store in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to set.
Grill burgers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, and remove the burgers from the fridge. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Cook for approximately 4 minutes with the lid fully closed before flipping and cooking another 3-4 minutes. Compile your burger as you wish and enjoy!
Whole30 Jalapeno Popper Burgers
You can easily turn this decadent burger into a suitable meal that’s Whole30 compliant using a few simple ingredient swaps!
Ground Beef – Make sure you’re using high-quality ground beef with no fillers.
Bacon – You’ll need to use sugar-free bacon that is Whole30 compliant to use in the filling.
Cream Cheese – While dairy is not allowed on a Whole30 reset, you can use an almond milk cream cheese with Whole30 compliant ingredients.
Recipe Tips
If you are unable to grill the jalapenos, dice them and saute in a skillet with oil until they are soft and tender.
Stuffed burgers need to be a little cooler and firmer than regular burgers to ensure they maintain structure when being placed onto the grill. This is also why making sure the grill is preheated is important!
When forming the beef into patties, be sure not to overwork the dough as it could easily make the meat tough.
Keep the filling cool while forming the burger patties to prevent spreading.
Variations
Don’t like beef? Try using ground turkey, ground chicken, or bison instead.
This burger is perfect for a low-carb lifestyle when served on a lettuce wrap or green salad.
Turkey bacon can be substituted for pork bacon in the jalapeno popper filling.
Serving & Topping Ideas
Feel free to get as fancy as you like by using your favorite toppings for these spicy burgers!
Iceberg lettuce buns
Brioche buns
Pretzel Buns
Onion Rings
Top with Jalapeno Popper Blend
Pepper jack, Swiss, or Cheddar Cheese
Grilled red onion
Sauteed Mushrooms
Steak Sauce
Avocado
Pickles
Tomato
Lettuce
Ketchup
Mustard
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Leftover jalapeno popper burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat on the grill or a skillet over medium low heat until warmed through.
Freezing: If you’re making these burgers ahead of time, place assembled and uncooked burgers on a sheet pan and freeze overnight before adding to a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in fridge before cooking.
