Green Chile Cheeseburger

The Green Chile Cheeseburger is an iconic dish that hails from the American Southwest, particularly New Mexico. It’s a culinary masterpiece that marries the smoky, spicy flavor of green chiles with the creamy, melty goodness of cheese, all on top of a perfectly grilled burger patty. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to create your own Green Chile Cheeseburger that captures the essence of the Southwest and delivers a taste sensation you won’t soon forget. Let’s embark on a flavorful journey together.

Ingredients:

For the Burger Patties:

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80% lean)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 4 hamburger buns

For the Green Chile Sauce:

• 2 cups roasted and peeled green chiles, diced (Hatch or Anaheim chiles are ideal)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken or beef broth
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembling:

• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
• Lettuce leaves
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced red onions
• Mayonnaise and mustard (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Green Chile Sauce

1. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
3. Stir in the diced green chiles and ground cumin. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Pour in the chicken or beef broth and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it thickens.
5. Season the green chile sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Set it aside.

Step 2: Grill the Burger Patties

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. While the grill is heating up, divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape them into burger patties.
3. Season both sides of the patties with salt and black pepper.
4. Place the burger patties on the grill and cook to your desired level of doneness, usually about 4-5 minutes per side for medium.
5. During the last minute of grilling, add a generous portion of grated cheese to each patty and allow it to melt.

Step 3: Toast the Buns

1. Slice the hamburger buns in half and place them on the grill for a minute or so, until they’re lightly toasted.

Step 4: Assemble the Green Chile Cheeseburgers

1. Spread mayonnaise and mustard (if desired) on the toasted bun halves.
2. Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom bun, followed by a burger patty with the melted cheese.
3. Spoon a generous amount of the green chile sauce over the patty.
4. Top with sliced tomatoes and red onions.
5. Finish by placing the top bun half.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve your Green Chile Cheeseburgers hot, with extra green chile sauce on the side for dipping, and maybe some crispy fries or chips.

 

The Green Chile Cheeseburger is a masterpiece of flavor that celebrates the Southwest’s culinary heritage. With its spicy, smoky green chile sauce and melty cheese atop a perfectly grilled patty, it’s a burger experience like no other. So, fire up your grill and bring a taste of the Southwest to your table with this delicious and satisfying creation.