With Father’s Day coming this weekend my mind turns toward all things manly: meat, grilling, fishing, meat, camping, meat, sports, after shave and meat. I’m not sure why men are pegged with desiring 30 ounce steaks and portions fit-for-four but it does lend itself to the opportunity for indulgent foods to grill.
We typically get out into nature for Father’s Day. We’ve taken fishing picnics, gone on hikes and always do some good cooking. I have to say the most memorable for me in my family was two years ago when my son was 8. He’s very creative and always an instigator of great games and fun he makes up himself for holidays.
Note: if you happen to work for Social Services, I feel quite confident this post will not be of interest to you and you can stop reading now.
On this particular Father’s Day he came up with a game in which my husband would be blindfolded and taste test about 20 beverages. If he named them correctly all was good; if incorrect he had to drop and do 20 pushups. No pressure.
The drinks ranged from chocolate and strawberry milk to Jagermeister and other airplane bottle liquor, to prune juice. It was a rigorous course of beverages which my husband took in stride, with great spirit and humor and I’ll note mastered without many pushups (not sure what to conclude from that triumph).
This year I expect will be a bit less eventful on the hydration front but plans for grilling already have commenced. Though we don’t eat a great deal of meat nothing hits the spot better than a big, juicy grilled burger.
Loving spicy flavors of the southwest, a full loaded Southwestern Bacon Cheeseburger seems just the ticket. Instead of piling everything on top, the green chilies and cheese are mixed in with the grass-feed beef and chorizo for a kick!
TIPS FOR GRILLING THE BEST BURGERS:
Check out our Ultimate Burger Grill Guide for tips to make the perfect burger!
Recipe
Southwestern Bacon Cheeseburgers
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds 85% lean Ground Beef (I prefer grass-fed, natural/organic ground beef)
- ½ pound ground Chorizo
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese , grated
- 1 4- ounce can Green Chilies , diced (mild or hot; choose your heat preference) and drained
- 1 medium Red Onion , sliced ¼ inch thick (vertically)
- 6-8 slices Smoked Bacon , cooked through but not until crisp
- Olive oil for grilling
- Hamburger Buns (we use Udi’s Gluten Free hamburger buns)
- Suggested condiments: Guacamole , Chipotle Mayonnaise, Homemade Ketchup
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the ground beef, chorizo, green chilies and grated cheese. Mix thoroughly. Form into four fat patties with the same diameter as the hamburger buns (they will be almost an inch thick/high). Place on a plate or baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour to chill.
- Heat a gas grill to High. Once fully heated brush the grill clean with a grill brush tool. Divide the hamburger buns to tops and bottoms; place the inside of each half face down on the grill to mark the buns and warm them (30 seconds to a minute; check frequently so they do not burn). Set aside.
- Lightly brush both sides of the onion slices with olive oil. Place full slices onto the grill and close the lid. Grill slices well on the first side then turn over, being careful to keep the slices intact as much as possible. Grill onions until they are translucent with grill markings (about 10 minutes). Remove from grill and set aside.
- Brush grill once more. Lightly brush each side of the chilled hamburger patties with olive oil. Place them onto the grill allowing space between them. Close the lid of the grill and allow them to cook for 3 minutes and develop a good sear.
- With a grill spatula, gently turn the burgers over. Close lid and allow the burgers to cook an additional 6-8 minutes, checking for doneness by the burger color (should be browned and opaque), any juices coming from the burger naturally being clear (note: the chorizo can lend an orange tint to the juice) and lastly checking for an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Remove burgers and place them on a clean plate for 5 minutes to rest.
Mr. & Mrs. P says
What a great burger!!! Perfect for the summer
Toni Dash says
Thank you and I agree! I like a bit of sass with my food!
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
We were at a semi-fancy restaurant and I ordered a burger. I was so disappointed in the lack of flavor. This looks like it would have been perfect, all the taste I was looking for. And since I’m the griller in the family, I can make these for Hubby next weekend. 🙂
Toni Dash says
I think a burger is a great litmus test for a restaurant. They take some thought in the preparation to turn out really well. And when they don’t, well, it’s obvious and makes one wonder about the rest of the menu. I hope ‘Hubby’ will love them as much as my brood did! Happy Father’s Day to him.
Happy Valley Chow says
Oh my goodness, those are some amazing looking burgers! Fantastic recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Eric! I was thrilled with how they turned out. So many great flavors blending perfectly together!
john@kitchenriffs says
Who doesn’t like a burger? We don’t eat a whole lot of meat either, but a good burger will always get my attention. I agree with you on the fat thing – you need it! No flavor otherwise. Just eat meat less often so you won’t get as much total fat. Anyway, fun post. And we’re having burgers for my dad next weekend. 😉
Toni Dash says
Somehow when a burger is called for, nothing else will do don’t you think John? I don’t miss red meat when I don’t have it but when I do something like this is perfection! Happy holiday wishes to your father!
Jennifer-The Adventuresome Kitchen says
It’s been awhile since we’ve made green chile burgers, but I love your addition of chorizo! It never occurs to me to grab it when I’m at the farmer’s market. My husband asked if we could grill tonight when I read him the recipe!
Toni Dash says
These were just right Jennifer. Not overly spicy but able to have more heat added with the toppings if desired. There is something about a great tasting burger that no other food can match, isn’t there?