Spicy Queso Burgers

These Spicy Queso Burgers are loaded with flavor and ready to serve in under 20 minutes! Fire up the grill or griddle, and let’s make some burgers! This partnership with YoQuiero! Brands has donated 10,350 meals to those in need. While the post is sponsored by YoQuiero! Brands, our love for giving back to the community and a good burger is our own!

Who doesn’t love a good burger?? During the summer months we are out grilling more than usual…not that you can’t grill all year long, but there is something about cooking outside when the days are longer and the weather has officially warmed up. Just makes ya feel good.

Actually, there is some reasoning behind why burgers are more popular in the summer!

Why we love burgers in the summer

1. Summer is associated with all the fun outdoor activities like barbecues and cookouts, and grilling burgers is a almost always a part these events. The warm weather and longer daylight hours are perfect for family and friends to gather in backyards, parks, or beaches and enjoy burgers.
2. Burgers are a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed at a picnic table or the dining room table. They are easy to prepare, cook relatively quickly, and are easily customized.
3. Burgers offer a wide range of possibilities when it comes to flavor combinations and accompaniments. They can be made with different types of meat (beef, chicken, turkey, or even vegetarian options like veggie burgers or bean burgers), and there are endless options for toppings.
4. Summer is a time for socializing and celebrating special occasions like holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings. Burgers are a crowd-pleasing meal that are enjoyed by everyone.

What are the most popular burger toppings

That’s a hard one! I love a creative burger…give me some salsa, pineapple, guacamole any day! I look at a burger as a canvas just waiting to be painted! But, I know there are some of the more traditional types out there…like my husband 😉

Some popular burger toppings that are pretty common are:

1. Cheese: Cheese is a classic topping for burgers.
2. Lettuce: Crisp lettuce leaves, typically iceberg or romaine, are often added to provide a fresh and crunchy texture to the burger.
3. Tomato: Slices of ripe tomato are a popular addition to burgers, adding juiciness and a slightly acidic flavor. They can be layered on top of the patty or placed beneath other ingredients to prevent the bun from getting soggy.
4. Onions: Onions can be used in different forms, such as raw onion slices, caramelized onions, or sautéed onions. They can add a sweet or savory flavor profile, depending on how they are prepared.
5. Pickles: Pickles, whether dill or sweet, are often placed on burgers for their tangy and briny taste. They provide a refreshing contrast to the other ingredients and add a bit of crunch.
6. Bacon: Bacon is a popular choice for adding a smoky and savory element. I mean, who doesn’t love bacon?!
7. Sauces: Various sauces can be used to enhance the flavor of burgers. Some common options are ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and aioli. Sauces can add tanginess, creaminess, or a hint of spice.
8. Avocado: Slices or mashed are a popular choice for adding a creamy and buttery texture to burgers. Avocado also adds a nutritious component.
9. Fried Egg: Adding a fried egg to a burger, often referred to as a “breakfast burger,” has gained popularity. The runny yolk adds richness and an extra layer of flavor. My son loves adding egg to his!
10. Mushrooms: Sautéed or grilled mushrooms can add an earthy flavor to burgers.

The range of possible burger toppings is virtually limitless!

Rebecca and I volunteered at a local farm here in Tampa, Fat Beet Farm, and when we were done harvesting kale, we headed in to the farmer’s market and found so many incredible, fresh options to top our burgers for dinner that night. I grabbed the chef’s pick microgreens, fresh lettuce and I couldn’t resist the dill roasted carrots.

Once we got back from volunteering and started the creative process of making the best spicy queso burger EVER we decided to keep our toppings spicy and simple, we used the microgreens, YoQuiero! Medium Salsa and jalapeno slices. We served our burger with the fresh salad mix from the farm and the roasted carrots. All those fresh veggies were the perfect balance to our burgers.

To make our queso burgers, well, it was super simple actually, we added diced onion and jalapeno peppers right to the lean ground beef, then mixed in the YoQueiro! White Queso for that extra punch of YUM.

I like to cook my burger to a medium doneness, but that is my preference and yours may be different!

Cooking a burger to medium typically refers to the meat is cooked through but still retains some pinkness in the center. The internal temperature for a medium burger is around 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (71 to 74 degrees Celsius).

To cook a burger to medium, you can follow these general guidelines:

1. Preheat your grill or stovetop pan to medium-high heat.
2. Shape the ground meat into burger patties of uniform thickness, typically around ¾ to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) thick. Press a slight indentation into the center of each patty to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.
3. Place the patties on the grill or pan and cook for approximately 3 to 5 minutes on the first side.
4. Flip the patties and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes on the second side.
5. To ensure the desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the patty without touching the cooking surface or bone. When the burger reaches an internal temperature of 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (71 to 74 degrees Celsius), it is cooked to medium.
6. Once the burgers are done, remove them from the heat and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat for a juicier burger.

Remember that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the patties, heat source, and personal preferences. It’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the burger is cooked to the desired level of doneness and is safe to eat.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking ground beef (including burgers) to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).

I mentioned that we added queso to our burgers…and well, the title of the recipe is Spicy Queso Burger, but why add queso to your burgers?

Burgers offer a wide range of customization options, and adding queso allows you to get creative and add a punch of flavor. Queso is flavored with various spices, herbs, and even additional ingredients like jalapeños or diced tomatoes, giving the burger a unique twist.

Incorporating queso into your burger combines the classic American burger with elements of Tex-Mex cuisine, adding a new dimension to the traditional burger experience. Especially when you top it with salsa and jalapenos!

Alright, are you all ready to make some Spicy Queso Burgers? Fire up that grill or Blackstone and let’s make some deliciousness.

What is one of your favorite burger toppings? Have you ever added queso to a burger?