This content features Chile Chorizo Burgers, developed in collaboration with The Padilla Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

Unleash Bold Flavors: The Ultimate Chile Chorizo Burger Experience with Pickled Red Onions and Poblano Mayonnaise!

There are certain recipes that transcend the ordinary, earning an immediate “amazing!” from even the toughest critics. These Chile Chorizo Burgers fall squarely into that category, inspiring repeat performances in our kitchen multiple times a week. It’s a testament to their irresistible combination of robust flavors and satisfying spice, making them an instant family favorite.

Our household has a long-standing love affair with chorizo, a versatile sausage that elevates everything it touches. From savory Baked Beef Empanadas to rich Chorizo Queso Fundido and comforting Baked Mostaccioli, chorizo consistently delivers an unparalleled depth of flavor. In these burgers, it partners perfectly with ground chicken, creating a patty that is both hearty and incredibly flavorful, a true game-changer in the world of homemade burgers.

A little heat is always welcome in our kitchen, and these burgers are no exception. While some might opt for spicy chorizo, I prefer starting with a mild variety. This allows me to precisely control the heat level and infuse the patties with the vibrant flavors of El Yucateco hot sauce. Celebrating their 50th year, El Yucateco offers an incredible range of hot sauces, each with its unique character. For this recipe, I reached for their classic Red Habanero Hot Sauce. Its distinctive flavor and balanced heat are the secret to unlocking the true potential of these Chile Chorizo Burgers, adding a layer of complexity that transforms a simple meal into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

The Heart of the Burger: Understanding Chorizo

Before we dive into creating these magnificent burgers, let’s explore the star ingredient: chorizo. This flavorful pork sausage is a staple in many cuisines, particularly Spanish and Mexican, each offering a distinct profile. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right chorizo for your culinary endeavors.

What Exactly is Chorizo?

At its core, chorizo is a type of pork sausage, but its variations are vast and delicious. The two primary types you’ll encounter are Spanish chorizo and Mexican chorizo, differentiated primarily by their preparation and spice blends:

• Spanish Chorizo: This variety is typically a cured, smoked sausage seasoned with garlic, salt, and, most notably, smoked paprika (pimentón). The smoking process gives it a deep, smoky flavor and a firm texture, making it perfect for slicing and eating as is, or adding to stews and paellas. It’s often found in semi-cured or fully cured forms.
• Mexican Chorizo: In contrast, Mexican chorizo is usually a fresh (uncured) sausage. It’s also seasoned with garlic and paprika, but often includes other chilies and vinegar, giving it a much more vibrant, sometimes spicier, and tangy profile. Because it’s fresh, it requires cooking before consumption. Its loose texture makes it ideal for crumbling into dishes, creating a flavorful base for tacos, eggs, or, in our case, incredible burger patties.

The crucial distinction lies in the smoking and curing process. Spanish chorizo is a ready-to-eat, firm sausage, while Mexican chorizo is a raw, ground sausage that must be cooked. For these Chile Chorizo Burgers, we will be using fresh Mexican chorizo to blend seamlessly with the ground chicken.

Choosing the Right Chorizo for Your Burgers

When selecting chorizo for your burgers, the type you choose will significantly impact the final texture and flavor. You’ll typically find two main varieties:

• Fresh Chorizo: This is the type we recommend for these burgers. Fresh chorizo, often found in a casing that you’ll remove, is raw and crumbly. When sautéed or grilled, it renders flavorful fat and develops a beautiful crust, infusing the ground chicken with its rich spices and distinctive taste. It’s perfect for integrating into meat mixtures, sauces, and, of course, burger patties.
• Semi-Cured or Fully Cured Chorizo: These varieties are usually ready-to-eat and have a firmer, chewier texture. While delicious on charcuterie boards, in sandwiches, or added to soups at the end of cooking, they are not suitable for mixing into burger patties as they won’t blend properly or provide the desired texture.

For our Chile Chorizo Burgers, always opt for fresh, raw chorizo. If your local grocery store offers both mild and spicy options, I suggest starting with mild. This gives you the flexibility to customize the heat with hot sauce, ensuring a perfect balance for your palate. This control over spiciness is a key element in creating a truly personalized burger experience.

Building Flavor: Ingredients for Chile Chorizo Burgers

Crafting these extraordinary burgers involves three main components, each contributing a unique layer of flavor and texture. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

For the Zesty Pickled Red Onions:

• 1 Red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 fresh lemon
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Irresistible Chorizo Burger Patties:

• 16 oz (approximately 450g) ground chicken (or ground turkey)
• 4 oz (approximately 113g) fresh Mexican chorizo, casings removed
• 2 tablespoons El Yucateco Red Habanero Hot Sauce (or your preferred variety)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese of choice (e.g., Fiery Jack, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Sharp Cheddar)
• 4 brioche buns or other buns of choice

For the Creamy Poblano Mayonnaise:

• 1 large Poblano pepper
• 1/3 cup good quality mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

The Culinary Journey: Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating these Chile Chorizo Burgers is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. Let’s break down each component.

How to Make Quick Pickled Red Onions

These bright and tangy pickled red onions add a crucial layer of acidity and freshness, cutting through the richness of the burger. They are incredibly simple to make:

1. Thinly slice one red onion. The thinner the slices, the faster they will pickle and the more delicate their texture will be.
2. Place the sliced red onion into a medium-sized bowl.
3. Add the juice of one lemon, two tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro, and a teaspoon of salt to the bowl.
4. Toss all ingredients together thoroughly to ensure the onions are evenly coated.
5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until you’re ready to assemble your burgers. The longer they sit, the more pronounced their pickled flavor will become.

Crafting the Homemade Chorizo Burger Patties

The heart of our burger lies in these perfectly seasoned and stuffed patties.

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, fresh chorizo (casings removed), El Yucateco Red Habanero Hot Sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Gently mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough burgers.
3. For perfectly uniform and stuffed burgers, a burger press is a game-changer! Place a portion of the meat mixture into the press, gently press down to form a base.

4. Make a shallow divot in the center of the patty and place about one tablespoon of shredded cheese into it.
5. Carefully fold the meat over the cheese, sealing it tightly into the center of the patty. This ensures a juicy, cheesy burst with every bite.
6. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture, forming four patties. Place the formed patties onto a sheet pan and transfer them to the grill when ready to cook.

Making the Creamy Poblano Mayonnaise

The smoky, mildly spicy poblano mayonnaise adds an incredible layer of flavor and creaminess.

1. To char the poblano pepper, place it directly over the flame of a gas burner or onto a hot grill grate.
2. Turn the pepper occasionally using tongs until the skin is completely charred and blackened on all sides. This process will take about 5-8 minutes.

3. Once charred, immediately place the hot pepper into a bowl and cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to a paper bag and seal. Let it steam for 10-15 minutes. This step helps loosen the skin, making it easier to peel.
4. After steaming, remove the pepper, and carefully peel off the charred skin. Remove the stem and seeds.
5. Chop the deseeded and peeled poblano finely.
6. In a small bowl, combine the chopped poblano with mayonnaise, smoked paprika, and salt. Stir well until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Grilling Your Chile Chorizo Burgers to Perfection

Grilling imparts a fantastic smoky flavor and a beautiful char to these burgers.

1. Always begin by greasing your grill rack. This prevents the burgers from sticking, especially with the leaner ground chicken and chorizo mixture. You can do this by rubbing a paper towel soaked in a little oil over the cool grates before heating, or carefully wiping hot grates with an oiled cloth (use tongs!).
2. If using a charcoal grill, arrange your coals for direct heat. A chimney starter is excellent for getting coals hot quickly and evenly.
3. Once your grill is preheated to medium-high heat, place the burger patties directly over the heat.
4. Grill the chorizo burgers for 15-18 minutes, flipping them once halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your patties and the heat of your grill.
5. To ensure doneness and food safety, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The burgers are ready when they register 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) in the thickest part.
6. For the last few minutes of grilling, you can lightly toast your brioche buns on the grill for added texture and warmth.

Alternative Cooking Method: Pan-Frying Chorizo Burgers

If grilling isn’t an option, you can still achieve delicious results by pan-frying your chorizo burgers on the stovetop:

1. Assemble the burger patties as described above, ensuring the cheese is well-sealed within the center.
2. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon or two of a high smoke point oil (like canola, grapeseed, or vegetable oil) to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.
3. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place one or two burger patties into the hot pan, ensuring not to overcrowd. Overcrowding can lower the pan’s temperature, leading to steamed rather than seared burgers.
4. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the patty registers 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
5. Remove cooked burgers from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes on a wire rack to allow juices to redistribute.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Chile Chorizo Burgers

Unlock the full potential of these amazing burgers with these helpful tips:

• The Lean Meat Choice: You might notice these burgers don’t call for ground beef. That’s intentional! Chorizo, especially fresh Mexican chorizo, already contains a significant amount of fat, which contributes to its rich flavor. By pairing it with ground chicken (or ground turkey), we achieve a perfectly juicy burger without it becoming overly greasy. The ground chicken acts as a fantastic binder and flavor canvas, allowing the chorizo and spices to shine.
• Experiment with Heat: El Yucateco offers a fantastic range of hot sauces, each with a unique flavor profile and heat level. While the Red Habanero is a classic choice, don’t hesitate to explore others like their fiery XXXtra Hot Habanero or the smoky Black Label Reserve. Visit their website to check out their Scoville meter and descriptions to find the perfect match for your heat preference.
• Cheese, Please! The beauty of a stuffed burger is the molten cheese center. While Fiery Jack offers a delightful blend of spice that complements the chorizo and hot sauce beautifully, feel free to get creative! Pepper Jack will add more kick, Monterey Jack provides a mild creaminess, and a sharp cheddar offers a bold, tangy contrast. Even a smoky Gouda could be an exciting option. Go wild with your favorite!
• Bun Selection Matters: Don’t underestimate the power of a good bun. Brioche buns are highly recommended for their slightly sweet, buttery flavor and soft texture, which perfectly cradles the robust burger and its toppings. However, any sturdy, fresh bun that you enjoy will work well. Consider toasting them lightly on the grill for added texture.
• Rest Your Burgers: After grilling or pan-frying, let your burgers rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the patty, resulting in a more tender and moist burger.

Flavor Profile: What to Expect from Your Chile Chorizo Burger

When you bite into a Chile Chorizo Burger, prepare for an explosion of perfectly balanced flavors. The initial taste delivers the rich, savory notes of chorizo, enhanced by the subtle earthiness of cumin and smoked paprika. This is quickly followed by a delightful warmth from the El Yucateco Red Habanero Hot Sauce, which provides a clean, bright heat without overwhelming the palate. As you reach the center, the gooey, melted cheese adds a creamy texture and a comforting saltiness. Finally, the vibrant tang of the pickled red onions and the smoky, creamy poblano mayonnaise provide a refreshing counterpoint, creating a harmonious and utterly addictive burger experience. It’s a symphony of savory, spicy, tangy, and creamy elements that makes each bite memorable.

Other Flavorful Recipes You’ll Love:

If you’re a fan of bold flavors and unique twists on classic dishes, you’ll surely enjoy these other recipes from our kitchen:

• Baked Beef Empanadas
• Chorizo Queso Fundido
• Baked Mostaccioli
• Short Rib Sandwiches
• Grilled Vegetable Flatbreads with Ricotta Cheese and Salsa Verde

How will you use El Yucateco to infuse vibrant, spicy flavor into your next meal? Their diverse range offers endless possibilities for culinary creativity!

What mouth-watering dishes are you planning to grill this summer? I’m always eager to discover new inspirations and exciting recipes!

Still hungry for more deliciousness?

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for daily culinary inspiration!

Don’t forget to Pin this recipe on Pinterest to save it for later!

Subscribe to our newsletter for easy and delicious recipes delivered weekly, straight to your inbox!