Southwest Burgers with Pepper Jack Cheese and Avocado Salsa

Bailey Farms hot sauces are all natural and of the highest quality. Unlike other sauces that are mostly pepper-vinegar, they are a blend of chiles and fresh vegetables that are cooked down to perfection and deliver the perfect balance of heat and flavor.

Heat Scale
Submit Recipe

Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients:

Avocado Salsa:

2 large vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/3 cup finely diced red onion
1/2 jalapeno, finely diced (seeded and ribs removed)
1.5 ripe avocados (pitted), large dice
1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Southwest Burger:

36 ounces (2 lb, 4 ounces) 85% ground beef
1.5 teaspoons jalapeno hot sauce
1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
1.5 teaspoons dried oregano
1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
sea salt or kosher salt (roughly 1/4 teaspoon per burger)
freshly ground black pepper

For Assembly:

6 ounces pepper jack cheese, thinly sliced
8 Cobblestone Bread Co. Corn Dusted Kaiser Rolls
avocado salsa (see above)

Directions:

Allow ground beef to rest at room temperature for 45 minutes to an hour.
Prepare the Avocado Salsa: Combine the tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, lime juice, and salt. Gently stir in avocado chunks and cilantro. Set aside while you prepare the burgers.
Prepare the Southwest Burgers: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, jalapeno hot sauce, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, coriander, chili powder, and sweet paprika. Mix gently with your hands—but do not over mix. Form the ground beef mixture into 6-ounce burger patties (roughly ¾-inch thick). Heat a large cast iron grill pan (over medium-high heat, and grease lightly with cooking spray. Cook the burgers on each side until charred, roughly 4-5 minutes per side (or until the internal temperature reaches roughly 150 degrees Fahrenheit). Top each burger with 1 ounce of pepper jack cheese, tent pan with foil (or close grill top), and cook until the cheese has just melted. Remove and allow the burgers for rest for several minutes. Meanwhile, grill or toast buns lightly, if desired (spray grill pan lightly with oil, if grilling).
To Assemble: Place burgers on toasted buns, and add a large spoonful of avocado salsa. Serve immediately.

From bloggingoverthyme.com