The Best Burger Recipes

A hand holding a cowboy butter burger, which has steak, cheese and a beef patty on a bun, over a butter dipping sauce

Juicy burgers are quite possibly the most classic grilling food out there. To help you make the perfect burger, I’ve…

The post The Best Burger Recipes appeared first on Over The Fire Cooking.

A hand holding a cowboy butter burger, which has steak, cheese and a beef patty on a bun, over a butter dipping sauce

Juicy burgers are quite possibly the most classic grilling food out there. To help you make the perfect burger, I’ve got a roundup of my favorite burger recipes!

A hand holding a cowboy butter burger, which has steak, cheese and a beef patty on a bun, over a butter dipping sauce

A simple hamburger recipe can be incredibly satisfying during summer BBQs (or in those colder months when you want to feel like you’re at a summer BBQ). Sometimes, though, to get the best burger recipe, you have to go all out. Our homemade burgers are piled high with my favorite toppings, which translates to seriously epic flavors.

Why You’ll Love Each Burger Recipe

These burger recipes set you up for success with juicy hamburger patties and a range of freakin’ delicious toppings. We’ve got everything from melted cheese and BBQ sauce to chimichurri (a sauce I’m putting on everything these days) and a fried egg. I love homemade hamburgers because you can start with a great burger patty and literally build a flavor masterpiece from there. I’ve also got recipes for other proteins you can try something besides a classic beef burger. Give those a whirl too!

A hand holding a smoked birria burger with a burger patty and shredded beef over birria sauce

These burger recipes are pub-style burgers. Want to try smash burgers? They’re all the rage these days! Check out my roundup of my favorite smash burger recipes

Best Tips for Great Burger Recipes

  • Choose quality meat: I’m a firm believer in starting with a great foundation, which is why I’m choosy about the hamburger meat in these burger recipes. A pound of ground beef can make about two or three of our beautiful thicc burgers. I’d recommend using 80/20 ground beef. While lean beef is a popular choice (specifically for smash burgers), the 80/20 blend strikes the perfect balance between fat and meat for a thicker burger, ensuring your burgers stay as juicy and tasty as possible. A lot of these burger recipes go next level by adding steak, so double-check your cuts for proper cooking times.
  • Get in shape: Since we want to ensure even cooking, make sure you divide the beef into equal-sized tight meatballs.
  • Leave time for prep: ​Because we’ve got some epic toppings to create the best burgers, give yourself extra time to prep your accompanying ingredients. Components like beer-battered onion rings and jalapeño poppers take a little more effort, but they’re so worth it when you sit down to a freakin’ delicious dinner.
  • All about the buns: Since the right choice of burger buns can make all the difference. Brioche buns, pretzel buns or potato buns are my personal favorites, since they hold up well with juicy burger patties. 

How do I tell if my burger is done? 

Great question! Your best friend is an instant-read thermometer — I really do swear by my meat thermometer. To get the temp, insert the tip of your thermometer into the center of each patty.

A medium-rare burger is about 130-135 degrees F, a medium burger is 140-145 degrees, a medium-well burger is 150-155 degrees and a well done burger is 160-165 degrees. But if you don’t have a meat thermometer (you should get one, seriously!), you can do the hand trick. A rare burger will feel soft, like the area between your thumb and palm when your hand is flat. Medium is what that same part of your hand feels like when you press your thumb to your ring finger. The more cooked the burger, the firmer it’s going to be.

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My Favorite Burger Recipes

Without further ado, let’s dive into some of my favorite burger recipes!

​Beef Burger Recipes

The Cowboy Butter Burger is the ultimate bite.

Cowboy Butter Burgers

Cowboy Butter Burgers bring the best of beef and butter together for one epic bite!
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Smoked Birria Burgers assembled and ready to devour.

Smoked Birria Burgers

Smoked Birria Burgers are double the beef, double the deliciousness!
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Beef Stroganoff Burger held up close to the camera.

Beef Stroganoff Burger

Beef Stroganoff Burger for a delicious dinner!
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The bacon jalapeño popper stuffed burger sliced so you can see the popper filling inside.

Bacon Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Burgers

Bacon Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Burgers for everything you love about a popper, now in burger form… and wrapped in bacon. #winning
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The full Ultimate Smoked Bologna Cheeseburger assembled.

The Ultimate Smoked Bologna Cheeseburger

The Ultimate Smoked Bologna Cheeseburger for all you bologna and beef lovers.
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charred bbq burger

Charred BBQ Burger

Sliced and serve an extra crispy burger with this Charred BBQ Burger recipe!
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sliced in half bleu cheese bacon burger

Red, White & Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger

A great burger for those that want to celebrate our Independence.
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Smoked Pizza Burgers sitting on the grill with flames in the background.

Smoked Pizza Burger

Smoked Pizza Burgers is like a personalized, handheld pizza sandwiched in-between two buttered buns. Yum!
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three California Burrito Style Burgers lined up on a cutting board in front of a grill

California Burrito Style Burger

This California Burrito Style Burger is made with chipotle lime mayo, juicy burger patties, guacamole, French fries, and cheese sauce!
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mega bacon cheeseburger

Mega Bacon Cheeseburger

Try a massive cheeseburger made with a loaf of bread as a bun! Savory and fun for the whole family.
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​Other Burger Recipes

Not your typical ground beef burger, but just as good.

Garlic Gochujang Shrimp Burgers

Garlic Gochujang Shrimp Burgers

Garlic Gochujang Shrimp Burgers, where the burger and seafood lovers unite. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s easy to cook and packed with some unique flavors, this is the one to try!
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bbq bison burger

BBQ Bison Burger

All natural bison ground meat made into a burger and topped with savory bbq sauce!
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Smoked Venison Burgers with Beer Cheese

Making some delicious Smoked Venison Burger with Beer Cheese for an epic fall meal. Paired with a light beer, its sure to hit the spot.
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filet mignon burger

Filet Mignon Burger

Try this brand new Filet Mignon Burger over some hot Cowboy Charcoal now! A fun twist on a backyard favorite.
View Recipe

​What to Serve with Burgers

Every one of these flavorful burger recipes is a meal in itself, so an easy recipe for a BBQ side is the way to go here. Burgers and French fries — regular, sweet potato, waffle and more — are a match made in heaven. You could also serve these burger recipes with onion rings, potato salad, broccoli slaw or mac and cheese. 

A line of jalapeño popper stuffed bacon cheeseburgers with buns, sitting in front of a grill

Leftovers and Reheating

If you have leftovers from these burger recipes, store your leftover cooked patties, buns and toppings separately in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. When you’re ready to reheat them, preheat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, add a small amount of oil and then reheat the patties for about 2-3 minutes on each side. 

For more of my Favorite Recipes

​FAQs

​What type of beef should I use in these burger recipes? 

For the best burgers, use a mix of ground beef that is about 80/20. While lean beef is a popular choice, the 80/20 blend strikes the perfect balance between fat and meat, ensuring the juiciest burgers. 

What level of heat should I use for my burger recipe? 

There’s a range, but I like to go with 375-400 degrees F (medium-high heat) and a two-zone fire for indirect cooking. Depending on the thickness of your burger and your cooking process, it’ll take 3-5 minutes per side on your outdoor grill to cook. In some cases, like my smoked birria burger, I smoke the burger at a lower heat for a longer time. 

I just want a classic good burger. What toppings should I use? 

Easy — a slice of cheese, a slice of tomato, red onions, a pickle and your favorite condiments. Because you can’t go wrong with a classic.

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Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, & Their VPs Favorite Dishes

This collection of favorite dishes by the 2024 Presidential nominees, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, will leave you wanting more. From Tacos to Meat Loaf, there’s a delicious recipe for everyone.

Silhouette of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump facing each other with party colors.This collection of favorite dishes by the 2024 Presidential nominees, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, will leave you wanting more. From Tacos to Meat Loaf, there's a delicious recipe for everyone.

The Best Black Bean Beet Burgers

These Black Bean Beet Burgers aren’t your average black bean burger! They’re packed with flavor, nutrient dense, and loaded with plant-based protein. Ideal for meal prep, Meatless Mondays, or sharing with friends at a summer barbecue!

The post The Best Black Bean Beet Burgers appeared first on Sweet Simple Vegan.

These Black Bean Beet Burgers aren’t your average black bean burger! They’re packed with flavor, nutrient-dense, and loaded with plant-based protein. Ideal for meal prep, Meatless Mondays, or sharing with friends at a summer barbecue!

A flavor-packed, nutrient dense and protein-rich veggie burger that is the perfect dish to serve at a summer party. It is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for an easy meal! #summer #grilling #veganburger #beet #mushroom #veganprotein #entree #lunch #dinner #makeahead #frozen #mealprep #blackbeanburger #sweetsimplevegan

It’s amazing how many different ways there are to make homemade veggie burgers. We’ve made Chickpea BurgersMushroom BurgersGrillable Veggie BurgersWhite Bean Burgers, and these Filipino-Inspired Adobo Burgers and Stuffed Vegan Jalapeño Popper Burgers that are as delicious as it gets! We even have the cutest little Veggie Sliders with a Homemade Mustard Cheese Sauce.

But today we wanted to put a spin on one of our most popular recipes: Homemade Black Bean Burgers. In addition to black beans, these veggie burgers are loaded with fresh beets. In addition to adding moisture that helps to keep the patties soft and tender, the color adds a vibrancy to the patties that makes them more “meaty” in appearance! So in addition to being a good source of fiber and nutritional punch, this black bean beet burger recipe is guaranteed to become one of your favorite veggie burger recipes! 

A flavor-packed, nutrient dense and protein-rich veggie burger that is the perfect dish to serve at a summer party. It is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for an easy meal! #summer #grilling #veganburger #beet #mushroom #veganprotein #entree #lunch #dinner #makeahead #frozen #mealprep #blackbeanburger #sweetsimplevegan

Ingredients You’ll Need 

  • Beet: For the most “meaty” appearance, we recommend using classic red beets instead of golden beets to make these burgers. You’ll need about 1 medium-sized beet or the equivalent of 3/4 cup shredded beets.   
  • Rolled oats: Acts as the binder that helps to keep the patties together. We recommend using rolled oats for the best texture, but oat flour will work in a pinch.
  • Walnuts: Adds plant-based fat and a great texture to the patties. 
  • Red onion: Adds a mild onion flavor that balances the richer flavors and makes the patties extra moist and flavorful. 
  • Mushrooms: We recommend any brown mushroom variety for the best umami flavor, but white mushrooms will do in a pinch. 
  • Black beans: You’ll need a can of black beans that have been thoroughly rinsed and drained. If the black beans are too wet, it may lead to mushy burgers, so pat dry as needed.
  • Tahini: To keep these vegan burger patties oil-free, we opted for tahini instead of olive oil for added richness and moisture and to help bind the patties together.
  • Ground flaxseeds: Also serves as a binding ingredient, acting as an egg substitute. Make sure to use ground flaxseeds! 
  • Fresh parsley: Adds a bright, peppery flavor that adds a burst of freshness to the patties. Cilantro is a good substitute. 
  • Spices: Nutritional yeast, minced garlic, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper season this black bean burger recipe to perfection.

Equipment Needed

How to Make Black Bean Beet Burgers

  1. Roast the beet. Preheat the oven to 400°F and remove the greens from the beet if present. Wash the beet thoroughly, then wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Place in the oven directly on the oven rack. Make sure the opening of the foil is facing up so the beet juice doesn’t drip! Roast for 50 to 60 minutes or until the beet is easily pierced with a fork, about 50 to 60 minutes. Carefully set aside to cool.
  2. Shred the beet. Once the beet is cool enough to handle, shred the beet using a box grater or food processor fitted with the shredding disc. For this recipe, you’ll need about 3/4 cup of shredded beet, so if you have any extra, set it aside for future use. 
  3. Grind the oats and walnuts. ​Place the oats and walnuts together in a large cup food processor. Pulse until they are ground into a fine crumb. 
  4. Make the burger patty mixture. ​Add the remaining burger ingredients to the food processor, including the shredded beets, and pulse until well combined. You want the texture to be chunky so the burger has a good texture; if it is too processed, the beet burgers may be mushy after baking. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture holds together when you pinch it together between your thumb and index finger. If the mixture is too wet, add more rolled oats. If it is too dry, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time. 
  5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Transfer the burger mixture to a large bowl and tightly cover with plastic wrap, foil, or reusable wrap. Set in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will help it firm up and make the patties much easier to form. 

Baking instructions

  1. Preheat the oven. While the burger mix sets, preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a reusable silicone mat. 
  2. Form the burger patties. Remove the mix from the oven and divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Using your hands, lightly pat each portion into an individual burger patty about 1/2 inch thick. Place each burger on the prepared baking sheet. 
  3. Bake until golden. Transfer the burger patties to the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The patties should be lightly browned. 
  4. Cool, then serve. Allow the black bean beet burgers to cool for at least 10 minutes, then enjoy on your favorite buns as desired! 
A flavor-packed, nutrient dense and protein-rich veggie burger that is the perfect dish to serve at a summer party. It is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for an easy meal! #summer #grilling #veganburger #beet #mushroom #veganprotein #entree #lunch #dinner #makeahead #frozen #mealprep #blackbeanburger #sweetsimplevegan

Vegan Burger Toppings

We love enjoying these burger patties as a replacement for a classic burger and load them up with our favorite toppings. Feel free to top with your favorites, or browse this list to get new ideas:

Serving Suggestions 

These veggie burgers are a great, quick weeknight dinner and the perfect pair for some of our favorite sides, including but not limited to Baked Mojo Fries, sweet potato fries, Beer Battered Onion Rings, and Roasted Vegetables. They’re also great for summer BBQs and pair well with some of the most classic summer side dishes:

Recipe FAQs

I have extra shredded beets left over. What can I use them for?

Leftover beets can be used to make our Vegan Beet Pasta Sauce. Or, if the beets aren’t shredded yet, use the extra to make our Oven Roasted Beet Chips! You can also add sprinkle them on any salad or buddha bowl for a subtly sweet, earthy flavor.

Can I use pre-cooked beets?

Definitely! If you have access to pre-cooked beets at your local grocery store or simply have some leftover from another recipe, feel free to use them to make these beetroot burgers. This will help cut down on prep time significantly!

Are these veggie burgers gluten-free?

In addition to being vegan-friendly, these burger patties are naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to opt for rolled oats that have a certified gluten-free label on the bag. We love the brand Bob’s Red Mill.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Leftover burgers will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. 

To freeze, arrange the baked patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper so that they are not touching. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and flash freeze for 1 hour, or until the patties are frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen patties to an airtight, freezer-safe container or storage bag. This flash freeze process will keep the patties from sticking together and freezing in a solid block. 

If you’d like to add an extra layer of protection to prevent sticking, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each patty. 

Refrigerated and frozen patties are reheated best in a preheated oven or air fryer until warmed through. 

A flavor-packed, nutrient dense and protein-rich veggie burger that is the perfect dish to serve at a summer party. It is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for an easy meal! #summer #grilling #veganburger #beet #mushroom #veganprotein #entree #lunch #dinner #makeahead #frozen #mealprep #blackbeanburger #sweetsimplevegan

More Vegan Burger Recipes YOu May Enjoy:

Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you make this recipe. We love to see your photos! 

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A flavor-packed, nutrient dense and protein-rich veggie burger that is the perfect dish to serve at a summer party. It is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for an easy meal! #summer #grilling #veganburger #beet #mushroom #veganprotein #entree #lunch #dinner #makeahead #frozen #mealprep #blackbeanburger #sweetsimplevegan

The Best Black Bean Beet Burgers Recipe


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4.3 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Jasmine @ Sweet Simple Vegan
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 burgers

Description

These Black Bean Beet Burgers aren’t your average black bean burger! They’re packed with flavor, nutrient dense, and loaded with plant-based protein. Ideal for meal prep, Meatless Mondays, or sharing with friends at a summer barbecue!


Ingredients

Black Bean Beet Burger

  • 1 medium beet (or 3/4 cup cooked and grated)
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces
  • 1/2 cup red onion chopped
  • 1/3 cup mushrooms chopped
  • 1 1/2 cup cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons tahini or almond butter
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper, to taste

Assembly


Instructions

  1. First, cook the beet. Heat the oven to 400°F and remove the greens from the beet if present. Wash the beet thoroughly and then wrap the beet in aluminum foil. Place into the oven directly on the rack to roast until easily pierced with a fork, about 50 to 60 minutes. Be sure the opening of the foil is facing up so it does not drip! Carefully remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2. Once the beet is cool and easy to handle, shred the beet. You will only need 3/4 cup, so reserve any extras for future use. Shredded beets go great in salads and Buddha bowls.
  3. Pulse the oats and walnuts in a food processor until they are finely ground. Add in the remaining ingredients, including the shredded beets, and pulse until well combined but not mushy. You still want it to be chunky so that the burger has texture; if it is too processed the burger may become mushy after baking. To test it, pinch some mixture between your thumb and index finger. It should hold together. If the mixture is too wet, add more oats. If the mixture is too dry, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate to set for about 30 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 375ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  5. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide the dough into 6 patties. Each patty was about a heaping 1/3 cup and about ½-inch thick.
  6. Arrange the burgers onto the lined baking sheet. Place into the oven for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The patties should be lightly browned. Cool the patties for about 10 minutes before serving.
  7. Assemble the burgers as desired. We served ours on our favorite burger buns with lettuce, tomato, pickles, vegan eggplant bacon, cheese sauce, and red onions. Enjoy!

Notes

  • To cook the patties on the stove, heat a cast iron skill or a medium skillet of choice over medium heat with a tablespoon or two of oil. Once heated, add in the patties (only 2-3 at a time to avoid overcrowding) and cook for about 8 minutes, flipping every 2 minutes. If any pieces break off when you flip the burgers, just pat them back into place. with your spatula. Try not to overcook as they may dry out.
  • You can store them (after cooking) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for one month. To reheat, you can either microwave them in quick 30-second bursts or heat them in a 350°F oven until they are warmed through.
  • If you would like to make the burger mix ahead of time, you can refrigerate the uncooked burger mix in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Entree, Burgers
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission if you purchase through those links, but your price remains the same. Thank you for supporting Sweet Simple Vegan!

The post The Best Black Bean Beet Burgers appeared first on Sweet Simple Vegan.

Deluxe Cheeseburger Bowl

Everything you love about burgers (without the excess carbs!)

Cheeseburger Bowl FeaturedEverything you love about burgers (without the excess carbs!)

Cowboy Candy

Cowboy candy on a burger with a side of Bush's Original Baked Beans.

Cowboy candy probably isn’t something you hand out at Halloween — unless your trick-or-treaters are fans of jalapeño peppers! These…

The post Cowboy Candy appeared first on Over The Fire Cooking.

Cowboy candy on a burger with a side of Bush's Original Baked Beans.

Cowboy candy probably isn’t something you hand out at Halloween — unless your trick-or-treaters are fans of jalapeño peppers! These savory and sweet candied jalapeños are so freakin’ delicious, they just make everything better. It’s more than just a fun name. I’d say they might even top your favorite candy bar as a tasty treat, because you’ll want to put them on everything you grill from now until the end of summer.

I’ve got an easy cowboy candy recipe for you here, and we’re putting them on one of my favorite grill recipes: burgers! We round out the perfect combination of savory and sweet in this recipe with Bush’s Original Baked Beans, which are the perfect side for summer grilling. Nothing says backyard BBQ more than a spicy burger with Bush’s Baked Beans on the side!

Post sponsored by Bush’s Original Baked Beans.
Cowboy candy on a burger with a side of Bush's Original Baked Beans.

Why You’ll Love Cowboy Candy

The texture of cowboy candy is similar to bread and butter pickles, but with extra zip from the spicy pepper. When it comes your burger, cowboy candy is a spicy treat to kick things up a notch. Plus, if you have leftover syrup from making these savory and sweet peppers, one of my favorite ways to use it up is for glazes or on ribs and chicken. This stuff is liquid gold.

If you’re looking for more burger topping ideas, check out my recipes for Oklahoma Onion Burger, BBQ Bacon Burger and Animal Style Burger!

Cowboy Candy Ingredients

  • Cowboy candy: Start with fresh jalapeños, and then we’ll pickle our thin pepper slices in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, granulated white sugar, turmeric, celery seed, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper.
  • Burger: To make the cowboy candy the real star of the show, we’re going with a classic bacon smashburger with cheese. Ground beef, slices of bacon, cheese slices, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder and mayo are all we need.
  • Baked beans: Bush’s Original Baked Beans are perfect here! We dress them up a bit with cowboy candy and chopped bacon.
Bush's Original Baked Beans with cowboy candy on top.

How to Cut a Jalapeño

Have you ever sliced spicy jalapeños, forgot and then rubbed your eyes? It’s brutal! The easiest way to prevent this experience is to wear disposable gloves while you slice peppers.

Make sure you wash your hands well afterward, along with your cutting board and the knife you used to cut the spicy pepper. If you do get some capsaicin — the compound in hot peppers like our jalapeños, banana peppers and serrano peppers that gives them that flavorful kick — on your hands and it causes a burning sensation, you can use dish soap, rubbing alcohol or even yogurt to cool things down.

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How to Make Cowboy Candy

Cowboy candy in summer > leftover Halloween candy in summer. Let’s put these candied jalapenos on a burger!

Making the Cowboy Candy

First up: those savory, sweet, spicy peppers. Start by thinly slicing 1 pound of fresh jalapeños. You can use your favorite chef’s knife or a mandoline cutter for this part! Put a cast-iron skillet on medium heat, and then add 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 cups of granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon of celery seed, 1.5 teaspoons of granulated garlic and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the skillet. Bring the vinegar mixture to a full rolling boil, then add the sliced jalapenos.

Cooking cowboy candy slices in the sugar syrup.

Let those jalapeños cook in the boiling syrup for 2-3 minutes, then take them out with a slotted spoon and set them aside in a mason jar.

Boil the sugar sauce for another five minutes, then remove it from heat and pour the boiling sweet syrup into the mason jar with the jalapeños. Finish up your cowboy candy by placing the jar of jalapeños in the fridge to cool.

Ideally, you’ll want them in there for three or four days, but you’ll get a nice flavor with two or three hours if you’re in a pinch.

Pouring the sugar syrup over the jalapeno slices to create cowboy candy.

Grilling the Burger

Heat your grill to high heat, about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, for direct cooking. Put a cast-iron skillet on the fire so it can preheat.

Grab a handful of ground beef and then gently roll it into a ball. Repeat this process until you’ve got six total burger balls.

When your skillet is smoking, add that ball of ground beef to the skillet. Place a piece of parchment over the ball, and then firmly press with the spatula until the burger is smashed on the skillet.

Adding cheese to the cowboy candy burger.

Season the patty with salt, pepper and garlic powder, then let it cook for another 1-1.5 minutes. Carefully flip the burger patty over and then season the new side. Top with a slice of cheese and let melt for 1-2 minutes.

Once the cheese has melted, pull the burger off and let it rest. Repeat this process for the rest of your patties.  

Bacon and Beans

Add a cast iron skillet or plancha over the flames to heat, then place some sliced bacon in the cold skillet. Cook the bacon until it’s nice and crispy, then glaze the slices with a little of the cowboy candy sugar syrup. This is how we’ll incorporate even more of that cowboy candy goodness into our beans! Pull off and keep warm.

Cooking bacon and Bush's Baked Beans.

Add another skillet to the heat with a can of Bush’s Original Baked Beans. Bring the beans to a full simmer, then pull them off and top with chopped bacon and cowboy candy.

Assembling the Cowboy Candy Burger

Serve your burgers on toasted buns with mayonnaise, double stacked patties, candied bacon, cowboy candy and Bush’s Baked Beans on the side. Enjoy!

Assembling the cowboy candy burger.

What to Serve with Cowboy Candy

Like I said, you can put cowboy candy on everything. Hot dogs are another great way to get your cowboy candy fix! The great thing about a hot dog is that Bush’s Baked Beans also pair perfectly with them. You could also add bits of hot dog to the beans for the ultimate meaty bean experience!

For another great beans recipe, check out my Steakhouse Baked Beans! I’ve also made some other fantastic recipes with Bush’s like this Southwest Breakfast Burrito and Smoked Chipotle Steak Chili!

Leftovers and Reheating

You can keep the cowboy candy in that mason jar of sweet brine in the fridge for up to two months. Wrap the cooled-down burger patties tightly in foil and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

For More Jalapeños

FAQs

OK, you got me hooked on cowboy candy. What other ways can I use it?

Awesome! Glad to hear you’re now a seasoned cowboy candy fan. These spicy jalapeno slices are great in so many things. Putting them on top of cocktails, cornbread, guacamole, Hawaiian pizza and eggs are just a few ideas!

Why smash the burger?

When you smash a beef patty, you supercharge the sear on that burger. The extreme heat and pressure seals in the juices and flavor, giving us a crispy crust on top of it all — a perfect landing spot for cowboy candy.

Where can I find Bush’s Original Baked Beans?

People love Bush’s Original Baked Beans so much, they’re everywhere. Check out the company’s store locator to find out which supermarkets carry them near you. While you’re on the website, you can also discover Bush’s other products, bean recipe ideas and more.

Also make sure to check out how I partnered with Bush’s for these Smoked Citrus Chile Chicken Wings and Steakhouse Ribeyes with Horseradish Butter recipes!

Get The Cookbooks!

Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire

By Derek Wolf

All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture.

Cowboy candy on a burger with a side of Bush's Original Baked Beans.
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Cowboy Candy

Cowboy candy is a freakin' delicious way to turn fresh jalapeño peppers into a savory, sweet treat that is perfect for topping burgers.
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 1319kcal
Author Derek Wolf

Ingredients

Cowboy Candy:

  • 1 lb Jalapeños thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3 cups Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Celery Seed
  • 1.5 tsp Granulated Garlic
  • 1 tsp Cayenne Powder

Burger:

  • 1 lbs Ground Beef
  • ½ lb Sliced Bacon
  • 6-8 Sliced Cheese
  • 1/4 cup Salt/Pepper/Garlic
  • Mayonnaise as needed
  • Burger Buns

Baked Beans:

  • 16 oz cans Bush’s Original Baked Beans
  • 1/2 cup Cowboy Candy
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Bacon

Instructions

Cowboy Candy:

  • Add a cast iron skillet to medium heat.
  • Place all the ingredients (outside the jalapenos) to the skillet and bring to a small boil.
  • Add the jalapenos to the rolling boil for 2-3 minutes, then pull off and set aside.
  • Boil the sugar sauce for 5-6 more minutes, then pull off and add everything (boiled sugar sauce and jalapeños) to a mason jar.
  • Place in the fridge to cool for at least 2-3 hours but ideally 3-4 days.

Burger & Baked Beans:

  • Heat your grill at high heat (around 400F) for direct cooking. Add a cast iron to the fire to preheat.
  • Grab a handful of ground beef and gently roll it into a ball. Repeat this for 6-8 balls or until you’re out of meat.
  • Get your skillet ripping hot (so it's gently smoking).
  • Add a burger ball to the skillet. Place a piece of parchment over one ball and then firmly press with the spatula until the burger is “smashed” on the skillet.
  • Season the patty with salt, pepper and garlic. Let cook for another 1-1.5 minutes.
  • Carefully flip the burger patty over and then season the new side.
  • Top with a slice of cheese and let melt for 1-2 minutes. Once melted, pull off and rest.
  • Repeat for the rest of your patties.
  • Add a cast iron skillet or plancha over the flames to heat and add some sliced bacon to the cold skillet.
  • Cook them bacon till crispy, then glaze with a little of the cowboy candy sugar sauce. Pull off and keep warm.
  • Add another skillet with a can of Bush’s Baked Beans. Bring to a full simmer, then pull off and top with chopped bacon and cowboy candy.
  • Serve your burgers on toasted buns with mayonnaise, double stacked patties, candied bacon, cowboy candy and Bush’s Baked Beans on the side. Enjoy!

Notes

How to Cut a Jalapeño
Have you ever sliced spicy jalapeños, forgot and then rubbed your eyes? It’s brutal! The easiest way to prevent this experience is to wear disposable gloves while you slice peppers. Make sure you wash your hands well afterward, along with your cutting board and the knife you used to cut the spicy pepper. If you do get some capsaicin — the compound in hot peppers like our jalapeños, banana peppers and serrano peppers that gives them that flavorful kick — on your hands and it causes a burning sensation, you can use dish soap, rubbing alcohol or even yogurt to cool things down.

Nutrition

Calories: 1319kcal | Carbohydrates: 183g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 8416mg | Potassium: 1201mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 155g | Vitamin A: 1758IU | Vitamin C: 139mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 6mg

The post Cowboy Candy appeared first on Over The Fire Cooking.

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