Description
This Double Decker Jalapeño Popper Smash Burger with Ranch Drizzle combines the crispy, flavorful smash burger patties with a creamy, cheesy jalapeño popper topping and a cool ranch drizzle. Perfect for those who love a spicy, cheesy twist on classic burgers, this recipe features two smashed beef patties stacked with a zesty cream cheese, cheddar, pepper jack, bacon, and jalapeño mixture, all served on toasted brioche buns. A deliciously indulgent main course that’s ideal for satisfying burger cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burgers:
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter (for griddle or skillet)
For the Jalapeño Popper Topping:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 jalapeños, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
For Assembling:
- 4 brioche buns, toasted
- 8 burger patties (2 per burger)
- Lettuce or arugula (optional)
- Extra sliced jalapeños (optional)
- ¼ cup ranch dressing for drizzle
Instructions
- Prepare Jalapeño Popper Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, finely chopped jalapeños (seeds removed for milder heat), and crumbled cooked bacon until well combined. Set this mixture aside for assembling.
- Form and Cook Burger Patties: Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions and loosely roll each portion into a ball. Preheat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of butter. Place a few beef balls onto the hot surface and immediately press down (smash) each one flat with a spatula to form thin patties. Season each patty generously with salt and black pepper. Cook the patties for about 2–3 minutes on one side until crispy edges form, then flip and cook another 2–3 minutes until cooked through. Repeat this process with all patties.
- Assemble the Burgers: Start by placing one smash burger patty on the bottom half of a toasted brioche bun. Spoon a generous amount of the jalapeño popper topping evenly over the patty. Add the second smash patty on top of the topping, then drizzle ranch dressing over the second patty. Optionally, add lettuce, arugula, or extra sliced jalapeños for additional flavor and texture. Finally, cap the burger with the top half of the brioche bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese ahead of time to make mixing the jalapeño popper topping easier and smoother.
- This recipe can be easily scaled down for single burgers or made into smaller sliders to serve at parties.
- For extra heat, leave the jalapeño seeds in the topping mixture or add hot sauce to the ranch dressing.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or griddle for optimal crispiness on the smash patties.
