Beef Burgers with Chipotle Mayo

Introduction

The chipotle mayo gives these burgers heat and richness with only two sauce ingredients, and the patties cook on a medium grill until they reach 160°F. You get a straightforward burger recipe that works for a quick cookout or a weeknight dinner, with optional melted vegetarian cheese slices if you want a richer finish.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

Chipotle mayo

• 6 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp chipotle purée
• Salt
• Black pepper

Burgers

• 1 pound (450 g) ground chuck
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Cheese slices (optional)
• 4 hamburger buns, split in half

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients for the chipotle mayo and refrigerate until needed.
2. Shape ground chuck into 4 patties. Sprinkle patties with kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
3. Place patties on a well-oiled medium grill and cook until internal temperature reaches 160°F (>70°C) for medium doneness. If using cheese, place on patties and cover for 1 minute to melt the cheese.
4. Spread chipotle mayo onto buns and sandwich the burgers with the halves. Serve.

Variations

• Reduce the 2 Tbsp chipotle purée to 1 Tbsp if you want a milder mayo; you keep the smoky flavor but cut the heat.
• Replace half of the 6 Tbsp mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt; the sauce stays creamy but turns tangier and a little lighter.
• Swap the 4 hamburger buns for lettuce wraps; the burger becomes less filling and more messy, but the beef and chipotle mayo stand out more.
• Change the 1 pound ground chuck to 90/10 ground beef if you want a leaner patty; the burgers will be slightly less juicy, so watch the internal temperature closely.
• Use whole-wheat hamburger buns instead of standard buns; they add more chew and hold up well to the chipotle mayo.

Tips for Success

• Refrigerate the chipotle mayo while the patties cook so it stays thick and spreads cleanly on the buns.
• Shape the ground chuck patties a little wider than the buns since they shrink as they cook.
• Oil the grill well before adding the patties to help them release cleanly and keep the surface intact.
• Check the patties with an instant-read thermometer at the thickest point and pull them at 160°F.

Storage and Reheating

Store cooked patties, buns, and chipotle mayo separately. Keep the patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and keep the chipotle mayo in a sealed jar or lidded container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat patties in a skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or in a 300°F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes until heated through. Warm the buns briefly, then add the chipotle mayo after reheating so the bread does not get soggy.

FAQ

Can you cook these burgers on the stovetop instead of a grill?

Yes. Use a cast-iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat and cook until the center reaches 160°F.

How spicy is the chipotle mayo?

With 2 Tbsp chipotle purée, it lands at a moderate heat level. If you want less spice, cut the chipotle purée to 1 Tbsp.

Can you make the chipotle mayo ahead?

Yes. Make it up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated until you assemble the burgers.

Can you make these without dairy?

Yes. Skip the vegetarian cheese slices or use a plant-based slice; the burgers still have enough richness from the chipotle mayo.