Chili burgers come in a wide variety of recipes, including the traditional version served in restaurants: a beef patty with chili con carne on top. Some variations on a chili burger skip the chili con carne altogether. What seems to be a common denominator among recipes, however, is the heat that is either added with spices, hot peppers or chili. The recipe included here is a more traditional recipe, for those who believe that a chili burger should start with a bun, a beef patty and chili.
Step 1
Turn your gas grill on the high setting. Close the lid and wait until the grill is very hot. Dip a grill brush into vegetable oil and wipe grill grate. Turn two of the grill burners off, leaving middle burner on.
Step 2
Cut bread into 1/4-inch pieces. Put bread and milk in a bowl and mash with a fork. Stir in bacon grease, minced garlic, 3/4 tsp. salt, 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper and steak sauce. Mix well.
Step 3
Break beef into small pieces and add to bread mixture. Using a fork, mix together lightly. Divide meat mixture into four equal parts. Form a ball with each portion of meat. Flatten each portion into a 3/4-inch-thick burger patty. Press fingertips into the middle of each patty until you form a slight depression.
Step 4
Dip grill brush into vegetable oil and wipe grill grate. Put the burger patties over the hottest part of the grill. Lower the lid and grill burgers until they are well-cooked on the first side, about two to four minutes. Flip burgers to the other side and continue to cook until the desired doneness is reached. Toast buns on the coolest part of the grill while burgers cook.
Step 5
To make chili, put 1 tbsp. vegetable oil in a saucepan. Add the finely diced 2/3 cup onion and cook until it is translucent. Add the 1 lb. ground beef and cook until done. Drain. Add white vinegar, celery salt, tomato puree, chili powder, 1 tsp. black pepper, sugar and 2/3 tsp. salt. Heat through.
Step 6
Put the bottom of the buns on a serving plate. Build burgers by putting a cooked beef patty on top of each bun. Add diced onions, then chili, store-bought coleslaw, mustard to taste and bun to top.
Tips and Warnings
- This recipe makes four chili burgers.
Things You'll Need
- 1 large piece of sandwich bread with crusts removed
- 2 tbsp. milk
- 2 tbsp. bacon grease
- 1 medium clove garlic, minced
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper
- 2 tsp. steak sauce
- 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
- 4 hamburger buns
- Vegetable oil
- 2/3 cup onion, finely diced
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1 1/3 tbsp. celery salt
- 2 oz. tomato puree
- 1 1/3 tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 tsp. salt
- 2 onions, peeled and diced, for garnish
- Mustard
- Store bought creamy-style coleslaw
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