Jalapeno Cheddar Cheeseburger
A juicy beef patty gets melted cheddar and quick-pickled jalapenos for a burger with real heat, served next to a pile of golden fries.
Fresh jalapenos bring sharp heat, but a fast pickle in warm vinegar rounds out the edge and adds a little tang that plays well against melted cheddar. Building the patties a bit wider than the bun accounts for shrinkage on the grill, so you end up with a burger that fills the whole roll. Serve it hot with a big batch of fries for dunking.
Ingredients
Method
Tap a number to mark a step donePreheat the oven to 425F and spread the frozen fries on a baking sheet in a single layer to bake according to the package directions.
Pour the warmed vinegar over the sliced jalapenos in a small bowl and let them sit for at least 15 minutes to quick-pickle.
Divide the ground beef into 4 patties slightly wider than the buns and season both sides with the salt and pepper.
Heat a heavy skillet or grill pan over high heat and cook the patties for 3 minutes per side for medium doneness.
Top each patty with 2 slices of cheddar during the last minute of cooking and cover the pan briefly so the cheese melts fully.
Spread mayonnaise on the toasted bun bottoms, add the cheesy patties, and pile on the pickled jalapenos before closing the burgers.
Pull the fries from the oven once golden and crisp, season with a pinch of salt, and serve them hot in a paper-lined basket alongside the burgers.
Kitchen note
For less heat, remove the jalapeno seeds and ribs before pickling; for more, leave a few slices with seeds intact and pickle everything together.
