Poblano Pepper Slider Burgers: Your Ultimate Summer Flavor Bomb
Experience a delightful twist on classic burgers with these incredible Poblano Pepper Slider Burgers. Bursting with rich, smoky pepper flavor, these sliders are elevated further by tangy marinated onions and a luxuriously creamy guacamole, creating an unforgettable meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Poblano peppers are a true culinary gem, celebrated for their unique earthy flavor and mild heat. If you adore the distinctive taste of this versatile pepper, you’ll love exploring more recipes that feature it. Dive into a savory Poblano Chile Scramble for breakfast or brunch, or savor the exquisite combination of flavors in a Shrimp Pasta with Poblano Cream Sauce for a sophisticated dinner. These dishes perfectly highlight the poblano’s incredible depth.
As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, our thoughts inevitably turn to summer gatherings, backyard barbecues, and delicious meals shared outdoors. While Memorial Day often unofficially kicks off the summer season, the feeling of letting go of rigid schedules and embracing lazy, sun-drenched days truly sets in with the promise of grilled delights. I’m always eager to swap out complex weeknight dinners for the comforting sizzle of hot dogs and, of course, juicy burgers on the grill.
Let’s be honest: maintaining culinary motivation during the peak of summer can be a challenge. The soaring temperatures combined with the allure of relaxing by the pool can easily lead to a desire for simpler, fuss-free meals. This summer, my personal goal is to uncover and share some of the most enticing and manageable recipes perfect for the season. And what better way to kick off this quest than with these absolutely irresistible Poblano Pepper Slider Burgers?
The Undeniable Charm of Slider Burgers
Is there anything that encapsulates the spirit of summer quite like a perfectly grilled burger? While a full-sized burger is always a welcome sight, I’ve found that sliders often emerge as the true champions, especially when feeding a family or hosting a crowd. The beauty of sliders lies in their inherent versatility and convenience. For families with varied appetites, they offer an ideal solution for portion control. One child might happily devour two, while another is perfectly content with just one, minimizing food waste and maximizing satisfaction.
Beyond portioning, sliders encourage culinary creativity and offer a fantastic opportunity to experiment with diverse flavor combinations. Each miniature bun becomes a canvas for unique toppings and sauces, turning a simple meal into an exciting tasting experience. They’re inherently fun, easy to handle, and perfect for mingling at parties, making them a staple for any casual summer get-together. These Poblano Pepper Slider Burgers truly highlight how a small package can deliver an enormous punch of flavor.
Crafting the Perfect Poblano Pepper Slider Burger
These Poblano Pepper Slider Burgers are a symphony of flavors and textures, meticulously constructed from three stellar components (plus the essential buns, of course) that come together to create a harmonious and deeply satisfying bite.
The Flavorful Patty: A Fusion of Meats and Peppers
The foundation of these outstanding sliders is a thoughtfully crafted patty, blending ground beef and ground pork. This combination isn’t just about flavor; it ensures a moist and tender burger every time. The ground beef provides that classic, rich burger taste, while the ground pork contributes a delightful juiciness and subtle sweetness that perfectly complements the star ingredient: pureed poblano peppers. Infusing the patty with pureed roasted poblano not only adds an incredible depth of earthy, smoky pepper flavor but also contributes essential moisture, preventing the sliders from drying out. The beauty of poblano is its mild heat, making these burgers flavorful without being overly spicy. To round out the profile, a blend of Worcestershire sauce, cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika infuses each patty with a complex, savory, and slightly smoky character that truly sings.
Tangy Marinated Onions: A Bright Counterpoint
Every great burger needs a balancing element, and for these sliders, it comes in the form of thinly sliced red onion rings. These aren’t just any raw onions; they undergo a quick marinating process in a vibrant mixture of fresh lime juice, salt, pepper, and a touch of extra virgin olive oil. This brief marinade works wonders, softening the onions just enough to remove their harsh bite while preserving their crisp texture. The lime juice imparts a zesty, tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of the burger, adding a refreshing pop of flavor that perfectly complements the smoky poblano and creamy guacamole.
Creamy Guacamole Perfection: The Ultimate Topping
A burger with guacamole is always a good idea, but our creamy guacamole takes these sliders to a whole new level. This isn’t your everyday chunky dip; it’s a luscious, smooth spread designed to envelop the other flavors. Ripe avocado forms the creamy base, mashed until velvety. Sour cream is then folded in, adding an extra layer of richness and making the guacamole incredibly smooth and decadent. Freshly chopped cilantro introduces a burst of herbaceous freshness, while a hint of finely chopped jalapeño provides a subtle, welcome kick of heat. Seasoned to perfection with lime juice and salt, this creamy topping delivers a cool, vibrant, and slightly spicy finish that truly brings all the elements of the slider together in a spectacular fashion.
Mastering the Cook: Grill, Skillet, or Griddle?
The beauty of slider burgers is their adaptability in cooking. While my absolute favorite method for achieving that quintessential summer flavor is on the grill, you have excellent options available even if firing up the barbecue isn’t possible or convenient.
The Grill: For Unmatched Smoky Flavor
Nothing quite compares to the smoky char and distinctive flavor imparted by cooking burgers on an outdoor grill. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat. Place the slider patties directly on the grates, ensuring they don’t stick. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. The high heat creates a beautiful crust while keeping the inside juicy. During the last minute or two of cooking, top each patty with a quartered slice of pepper jack cheese and close the grill lid to allow the cheese to melt perfectly. Always aim for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for ground beef and pork to ensure safety.
The Skillet: An Excellent Indoor Alternative
When the weather isn’t cooperating, or you simply prefer to cook indoors, a heavy skillet – ideally cast iron – is your best friend. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat until it’s quite hot. A small amount of olive oil can be added if needed, though the natural fat from the patties often suffices. Place the slider patties in the hot pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it; you might need to cook them in two batches. Sear for 3-4 minutes on the first side until a nice brown crust forms, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Just like on the grill, add the cheese slices in the final moments and loosely tent the skillet with foil to encourage even melting.
The Griddle: Efficiency for Batch Cooking
If you’re making a larger batch of sliders, a griddle offers incredible efficiency, allowing you to cook all your patties simultaneously. Whether it’s a stovetop griddle or an electric one, heat it to a medium-high temperature. The same cooking principles apply: place the patties on the hot surface, cook until seared on one side (3-4 minutes), then flip and cook until done (another 3-4 minutes). The wide, flat surface of the griddle ensures consistent heat distribution and makes flipping a breeze, resulting in uniformly cooked and delicious sliders for everyone.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Poblano Sliders
These Poblano Pepper Slider Burgers are flavorful enough to stand alone, but they truly shine when accompanied by the right side dishes. Here are some fantastic options to complete your meal:
- Crispy chips (a classic, easy choice!)
- A vibrant Potato Salad with Corn and Poblanos, echoing the main flavor profile.
- A refreshing Crown Ruby Fruit Salad for a sweet and cooling contrast.
- A zesty Mexican Corn Salad, offering another layer of Tex-Mex inspired goodness.
- Classic Coleslaw: A creamy, crunchy coleslaw provides a wonderful textural contrast and tangy flavor.
- Sweet Potato Fries: The sweetness of the fries beautifully complements the savory and slightly spicy sliders.
- Grilled Vegetable Skewers: For a lighter, summery option, colorful grilled veggies are always a hit.
- Black Bean Salad: A fresh black bean and corn salad adds protein and a vibrant, fresh taste.
Explore More Slider Sensations
If you’ve fallen in love with the versatility and charm of sliders, you’ll be thrilled to discover more exciting recipes to add to your repertoire. Sliders are perfect for creative culinary experiments! Try these other fantastic slider variations:
- Club Burger Sliders with Avocado-Ranch Dressing
- Satay Sliders
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Poblano Pepper Slider Burgers
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Marinated Onions
- 1 small red onion cut into thin rings
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Creamy Guacamole
- 1 small ripe avocado
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper seeded and finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- salt to taste
Burgers
- 2 large poblano peppers
- 3/4 pound ground beef
- 3/4 pound ground pork
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper divided
- 6 slices pepper jack cheese (about 5 oz) cut into quarters
- 12 slider buns
Instructions
Make the Onions
- Place the onions in a bowl and add half the lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the olive oil. Stir to coat.
Make the Guacamole
- In another bowl, mash together the avocado, sour cream, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice. Season to taste with salt.
Make the Burgers
- Preheat the broiler to high. Place the poblano peppers on a baking sheet covered with foil. Place the peppers in the oven and broil until they are charred, turning with tongs to make sure all sides are charred. Remove and place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the peppers sit until cooled, then peel the skins from the pepper. Remove the stems and seeds and place the peppers in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, pureed poblano, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, coriander, paprika, the 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the 1 teaspoon pepper. Form the mixture into 12 3-inch patties, making them a bit thinner in the center and thicker at the edges.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. If needed, add a bit of olive oil. Add the burgers and cook, turning once, for about 7 minutes total, or until your desired doneness. Top with 2 pieces of the quartered cheese and tent loosely with foil during the last minute or two of cooking.
- To serve, place the burgers on the bun bottoms. Top with the onions and the creamy guacamole, then place the bun top in place.
Recipe Notes:
Slightly adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray November 2010
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 2 sliders, Calories: 582 kcal (29%), Carbohydrates: 42g (14%), Protein: 28g (56%), Fat: 32g (49%), Saturated Fat: 12g (75%), Cholesterol: 81mg (27%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 7g (8%)