Queso Burgers Recipe

If you love burgers and crave a cheesy, Southwestern twist, then Queso Burgers are about to become your new flavor obsession! Imagine juicy grilled burgers loaded with creamy homemade queso, crisp bacon, and fresh toppings—all delivering a blissful combination of heat, creaminess, and crunch in every spectacular bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to unforgettable Queso Burgers is a handful of essential, straightforward ingredients—the kind that pack a punch individually and become truly unforgettable together. Each one contributes to the layers of spice, richness, and colorful freshness that make this burger unique.

• 4 Pub Burgers: Hearty and juicy, these thick patties (found fresh in your grocer’s meat case) create the ultimate burger base.
• 4 hamburger bakery buns: Choose soft, bakery-fresh buns to soak up all that luscious queso and juice—texture matters!
• 8 slices of bacon: Crispy bacon amps up the smoky, salty goodness and adds irresistible crunch.
• 1 avocado, thinly sliced: Buttery and cool, avocado mellows out the heat and adds creamy contrast.
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced: Amp up the heat or dial it back to customize spice—discard seeds for milder burgers.
• ½ small red onion, sliced: Adds a snappy crunch and just a hint of bite to every bite.
• ½ pound White American Cheese, cubed: This deli cheese melts like a dream, forming the velvety base for your queso sauce.
• ¼ cup Roundy’s milk: A splash of milk ensures your queso is smooth and pourable—add more if you like it extra creamy.
• ½ Tablespoon butter: Butter adds richness and helps the cheese melt evenly without sticking.
• 4 ounces diced green chiles: These deliver mild heat, tang, and a pop of flavor in the queso.
• 1 teaspoon cumin: Earthy, aromatic cumin is the backbone spice for irresistible Tex-Mex flair.
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes: A sprinkle brings slow-building warmth—adjust to taste for your heat preference.
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt: That perfect salty-savory note, tying the queso together.

Variations

Queso Burgers are basically your blank flavor canvas, so feel free to have fun and make them your own! Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, looking to lighten them up, or want to experiment with new flavors, there’s a twist for every taste.

• Swap in turkey or plant-based patties: For a lighter or vegetarian version, try using ground turkey or your favorite plant-based alternatives—they’ll soak up the queso perfectly.
• Try a different cheese in the queso: Pepper Jack or a blend of Cheddar and Monterey Jack can give the sauce a bolder kick and vibrant color.
• Add pickled jalapeños or hot sauce: For real spice fans, go big with pickled jalapeños or a splash of smoky chipotle hot sauce.
• Change up the toppings: Swap avocado for guacamole, add shredded lettuce, or even a dollop of pico de gallo for fresh Tex-Mex flair.

How to Make Queso Burgers

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon

Start by cooking the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it’s irresistibly crisp and golden. Drain it on paper towels—this step can be done in advance! Not only does it add savory crunch, but the aroma alone gets everyone hungry for Queso Burgers.

Step 2: Grill the Pub Burgers

While your bacon cools, preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium-high. Place the pub burgers onto the grates and grill them for about 3–5 minutes per side, depending on your desired doneness. Let the patties rest—you want them gorgeously juicy for when that queso goes on top.

Step 3: Make the Queso Sauce

In a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat, combine the cubed white American cheese, milk, and butter. Stir regularly until melted and super creamy, then reduce the heat. Stir in the diced green chiles, cumin, red pepper flakes, and garlic salt. Add a splash more milk if you want it extra luscious and pourable.

Step 4: Assemble the Queso Burgers

Now for the fun part: Lay each grilled patty on a soft bun and layer on the bacon, fresh avocado, sliced red onion, and a few jalapeño rings (go big or go mild!). Pour that glorious queso generously over the top—don’t hold back—and crown with the bun top. Get ready for pure, messy burger happiness!

How to Serve Queso Burgers

Garnishes

Add a final flourish to your Queso Burgers by sprinkling on extra fresh jalapeño slices, chopped cilantro, or a squeeze of lime. These garnishes don’t just look vibrant—they add a zesty, herbaceous kick and amp up the Southwestern flair.

Side Dishes

Serve your Queso Burgers with crispy sweet potato fries, classic curly fries, or even a bright corn salad for a full-on feast. A cool side of coleslaw or chips and salsa also balance out the richness and spice of the burgers beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, slice the burgers into halves or quarters and secure with skewers for easy sharing (and major wow-factor presentation!). You could also set up a “build your own Queso Burgers” bar with all the toppings—let everyone customize their masterpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftover Queso Burgers, store the burgers, queso, and toppings separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping everything apart means maximum freshness and prevents any soggy buns.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze the cooked burger patties (without toppings or queso) for up to 2 months. Let them cool first, wrap tightly in foil or parchment, and place in a freezer-safe bag. The queso sauce, however, is best made fresh for maximum creaminess.

Reheating

Warm the patties in a skillet or microwave until hot and heat the queso gently in a saucepan with a splash of milk, stirring until smooth. Then, rebuild your Queso Burgers with fresh toppings and enjoy all over again!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Bring a little excitement to your next burger night and surprise everyone with cheesy, messy, joyfully bold Queso Burgers! They’re an invitation to gather, get a little saucy, and savor every delicious (and fun!) bite—don’t wait, give them a whirl this week and taste how much flavor a homemade burger can have!

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