Chipotle Burgers

Savory, smoky flavor with a hint of sweet--these mouthwatering Chipotle Burgers deliver deliciousness in every bite! For days when you want a burger that's loaded with flavor but still easy to make, this burger is ready in under 30 minutes.

Everyone needs a few go-to burger recipes, and this is one of my favorites! Roasted chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and spices season the meat perfectly, then the burgers are covered with a sauce bursting with savory, sweet and sour notes. Add melted cheese and your favorite toppings for burger perfection.

Recipe Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions. 

• Ground beef: I use lean ground beef for best taste and results.
• Chipotle peppers: Jalapeño peppers are smoked and dried, then stewed to preserve and enhance their flavor.
• Adobo sauce: A tangy and smoky sauce made of tomatoes, vinegar and spices. Chipotle peppers are stored in this complex and rich sauce, and you use both the peppers and the sauce in this recipe.
• Onion & garlic: These aromatic ingredients add depth and enhance the other flavors.
• Cumin & paprika: Cumin brings an earthy, nutty taste and paprika offers a little heat and a pretty red color.
• Pepper jack cheese: This creamy cheese with spicy jalapeño peppers adds a little kick plus a buttery texture.
• Brioche buns: This slightly sweet bun gives a great flavor contrast to the savory and spicy taste in the burger and sauce.

For the Sauce

• Mayonnaise: Gives the sauce a creamy texture and has a mild tangy taste, creating a great base for the sauce.
• Lime: Adds a burst of tartness and a zesty citrus flavor.
• Honey: Lightly spray your measuring spoon with non-stick spray to keep the honey from sticking in the spoon. This also makes clean up simple.
• Adobo sauce: You'll need just a little bit of adobo sauce for the recipe, so see Top Tips below to save the sauce for another recipe.
• Garlic & paprika: Fresh minced garlic or from a jar would work for this recipe. Paprika adds subtle flavor and a vibrant color to the sauce.
• Salt & pepper: Both enhance the other flavors and finish the sauce.

How to Make Chipotle Burgers

1. Mix. Combine the ground beef, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, minced onion and seasonings.
2. Shape burgers. Form 4 patties with the ground meat. Use your knuckle to create an indentation in the center of each burger.

3. Cook. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat and cook the patties for 5-6 minutes on each side, until cooked through.
4. Rest. Place the cheese slices onto the patties and transfer to a plate covered with foil to rest while you prepare the sauce.

5. Combine. In a small bow mix together the sauce ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Create. Build your burgers. Spread the mayo sauce on each bun, add the burger and your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Recipe FAQ's

Top Tips

• Cooking time can vary depending on thickness of the patties and the appliance used, so always check your burgers with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the patty.
• For well done, cook a couple minutes longer, for slightly rare, reduce cooking time.
• Most recipes that use chipotle peppers and sauce don't use the entire can, so I freeze extra chipotle peppers and sauce. Divide them among a few freezer safe containers (like ice cube trays) or spoon extra peppers and sauce on parchment paper in single-recipe size. Once frozen, peel the servings off the parchment and wrap in a freezer safe bag or plastic wrap.

Recipe Variations

• Adjust the amount of adobo sauce in the mayo sauce depending on your preference. It is spicy and it's always good to start out with less and add more after you sample the sauce.
• Add your favorite toppings like avocado, arugula or sliced red bell peppers.
• Toast the buns for a golden, crispy crunch!
• Substitute ground turkey or ground bison instead of the beef.
• Swap your favorite hamburger bun for the brioche bun. Potato rolls, ciabatta buns, whole wheat, pretzel buns or even Hawaiian sweet rolls would taste great.

Storage & Reheating

• To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• To reheat: Remove from refrigerator and let the burgers sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Place patties on an aluminum foil lined sheet pan and heat in oven at 350 degrees. Remove cheese if possible, so that you can flip the burger halfway through heating for best results. Heat for 7 to 10 minutes, until center of the burger is hot.
• To reheat in air fryer: Reheat your burgers in an air fryer by removing from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Place the burgers in a single layer in the air fryer at 300 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated throughout. It is best to remove any cheese so that it doesn't melt in the air fryer.

Easy sides to pair with Chipotle Burgers

If you want to keep things simple, pair your chipotle burgers with a green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dishes that will make this a full meal.

• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Sweet potato fries or french fries

More Hamburger Recipes

• Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers
• Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes
• Air Fryer Meatballs