Jalapeno Popper Burgers

I had already squished my burger down with the bun -- hence why the jalapeno/cream cheese is oozing out! And I topped mine with only Jack Daniels BBQ sauce

Let me preface this by saying that we did not make these burgers entirely following the recipe.

As I was pulling ingredients out of the fridge to get things started, I remembered my dear, sweet, LOVING husband had used the last of the thawed out bacon for breakfast. With no time to thaw anymore out before we had to eat, we were left bacon-less.

No salty goodness? Bummer.

But spicy burgers still sound good. Right?

I was also a bit of a slacker. I didn't roast my jalapenos. At all. I cut 'em up ... de-seeded them. Chopped them. And used them raw. They still had that little kick. But nothing overpowering, since we were making them for the first time and didn't know how spicy they would turn out.

Next time [and oh yes, there will BE a next time] we look forward to following the recipe exactly as it's written. Roasting peppers. Wrapped in bacon.

And I'll make sure we each get at least two. Because after one -- we both wanted more! There's nothing like a good burger to satisfy the soul!

recipe & image via Closet Cooking 

• Ingredients 
• 
  
• 6 jalapeno peppers
• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 pound ground beef
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 strips bacon
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 4 hamburger buns
• 4 leaves lettuce
• 4 slices tomato
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise or roasted jalapeno mayonnaise

Directions

1. Grill the jalapenos over medium-high heat until charred all over, about 6-8 minutes.
2. Place the peppers in a zip-lock bag or other sealable container, seal and let them cool until you can handle them, about 20 minutes.
3. Pinch the skins off of the peppers, cut in half and remove the seeds.
4. Dice 2 of the jalapeno peppers and mix into the cream cheese.
5. Divide the beef into 8 equal portions, form into patties, place 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture on 4 of them, top with the free patties, pinch the sides closed to seal and form into patties again.
6. Season the patties with salt and pepper to taste and wrap each with 2 strips of bacon.
7. Brush the grill with oil and grill the burgers over medium-high heat until cooked, about 4-5 minutes per side, topping each patty with a slice of cheese after flipping.
8. Assemble the burgers and enjoy!

These seriously are as good as they look and sound! So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and make yourself one tonight!