You are probably thinking a chili burger is made by adding a chili flakes and powder in the meat. Well, that’s one way to make it. However, a true chili burger is made with authentic chili. Of course, you can use store-bought chili but that won’t be as tasteful as the one you will make at home.
A chili burger does not contain a patty. It can if you want one but if you are adding meat to your chili then you won’t need to go through the steps of preparing your patty and making sure it is seasoned perfectly.
Now that you know what a chili burger is, let’s take a look at the different ways on how to make it. First, we will learn how to make chili and then the burger:
Classic Chili
A classic bowl of chili contains fewer ingredients and has a thick consistency. The addition of beans balances the spices quite well and when added to a burger, creates the perfect version of a chili burger.
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: 1 Tablespoon
- Yellow Onion: 1 (Diced)
- Lean Ground Beef: 1 Pound
- Chili Powder: 2 ½ Tablespoons
- Ground Cumin: 2 Tablespoons
- Granulated Sugar: 2 Tablespoons
- Tomato Paste: 2 Tablespoons
- Garlic Powder: 1 Tablespoon
- Salt: 1 ½ Teaspoons
- Ground Black Pepper: ½ Teaspoon
- Ground Cayenne Pepper: ¼ Teaspoon
- Beef Broth: 1 ½ Cups
- Petite Diced Tomatoes: 1 Can (12 Oz.)
- Red Kidney Beans: 1 Can (16 Oz.) (Drained and Rinsed)
- Tomato Sauce: 1 Can (8 Oz.)
Instructions
- In a soup pot, add olive oil and heat for 2 minutes
- Add in the onions and sauté them for 5 minutes
- Add in the ground beef and break it apart using a wooden spoon
- Cook the meat for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Next, add in sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, tomato pasted, pepper, salt and cayenne pepper
- Add in diced tomatoes, broth, tomato sauce and drained beans
- Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil
- Reduce the heat and let the chili simmer uncovered for 25 minutes
- Turn of the heat and let the chili cool for 10 minutes before serving
Vegetarian Chili
Chili is one of those side dishes that goes well with everything, including fries, burgers, rice and more. You can pour it on just about anything to get a kick of intense flavors. You don’t necessarily need to add multiple veggies because they might not go well with your chili burger. Though, you can use just the red sauce and add it to the burger.
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour
Ingredients
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: 2 Tablespoons
- Red Onion: 1 (Chopped)
- Red Bell Pepper: 1 (Chopped)
- Carrots: 2 (Chopped)
- Celery: 2 Ribs (Chopped)
- Salt: ½ Teaspoon
- Bay Leaf: 1
- Garlic: 4 Cloves (Minced)
- Chili Powder: 2 Tablespoons
- Ground Cumin: 2 Teaspoons
- Smoked Paprika: 1 ½ Teaspoons
- Dried Oregano: 1 Teaspoon
- 1 Large Can (28 Oz.) Diced Tomatoes
- 2 Cans (15 Oz. Each) Black Beans (Drained and Rinsed)
- 1 Can (15 Oz.) Pinto Beans (Rinsed and Drained)
- Vegetable Broth: 2 Cups
- Fresh Cilantro: 2 Tablespoons (Chopped)
- Red Wine or Sherry Vinegar: 2 Teaspoons
For Garnish
- Chopped Cilantro
- Sliced Avocado
- Sour Cream
- Grated Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- In a pot, add olive and heat it for 2 minutes
- Add in the chopped bell pepper, onion, celery, carrot and salt
- Sauté the vegetables until they turn translucent
- Let the vegetables tenderize for 10 minutes
- Add in smoked paprika, oregano, chili powder, cumin and garlic, and cook for 1 minute
- Add in the diced tomatoes, bay leaf, vegetable broth and drained black beans
- Cook for 30 minutes until a paste forms
- Remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaves
- Add a cup of chili into a mixer and blend until a smooth paste forms
- Pour the paste back into the pot
- Add in chopped cilantro and vinegar
- Taste the chili and add salt to adjust the seasoning
Classic Chili Burger
A classic chili burger is one made with authentic chili. Since you are adding chili that is made from scratch, it takes only a couple of minutes to make the burger. This version of chili burger is juicer and more flavorful.
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 35 Minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- Chili: 1 Cup
- Ground Beef: 1 Pound
- Green Onions: ½ Cup (Minced)
- Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips: 1 Cup
- Shredded Mexican Cheese: 1 Cup
- Hamburger Buns: 4
Instructions
Prepare the Chili
- In a sauce pan, reheat your chili for 5 minutes
Make the Patty
- In a mixing bowl, add ground beef, salt, pepper and green onion
- Crumble the nacho chips and add the bits into the beef
- Shape the meat into 4 patties and set aside
- In a pan, cook the patties on medium heat for 4 minutes on each side
- Place a sliced cheese on top, lower the heat and cover the pan with a lid for 2 minutes
Assemble the Burger
- Place the patty on the burger
- Pour a large amount of chili on top and cover with the other half of the bun
Chili-Chili Burger
A double chili burger is made with spices added into the patty and chili paste used as a spread. So, when we say it’s a chili burger, we mean it! If you have a high spice tolerant level, you will love this burger.
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 25 Minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- Minced Beef: 1 Pound
- Red Onion: ½ (Diced)
- Garlic: 2 Cloves (Chopped)
- Cayenne Pepper: ½ Teaspoon
- Chili Powder: 1 Teaspoon
- Chili Flakes: 1 Teaspoon
- Chili Paste: 1 Teaspoon
- Olive Oil: 1 Tablespoon
- Tomato Ketchup: 2 Tablespoons
- Salt to Taste
- Brioche Buns: 4
Toppings
- Guacamole
- Sour Cream
- Cheese Slice
- Tomato Slice
Instructions
Make the Patties
- In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together
- Divide the meat into 4 equal parts and make the patties
- Place the patties on a plate, cover it with a cling film and refrigerate for 20 minutes
- Heat up the grill and wait for 5 minutes for it to reach the maximum temperature
- Place the patties on the grill and cook for 8 minutes on both sides with the lid closed
Assemble the Burgers
- Toast your buns on the grill
- Spread mayonnaise and a little chili paste on the bottom half of the bun
- Place your patty on the bun
- Top with sour cream, cheese, tomato slice and guacamole
- Place the other half of the bun on top and serve warm
Final Thoughts
Having pre-cooked chili allows you to make a chili burger in a jiffy. Depending on your taste, you can either make vegetable chili or beef chili. If you ask us, the former is a better choice as it allows you to make a patty and then spread the chili sauce on top. The latter chili gives you a sloppy Joe version, which completely changes the taste.
