Mmmm Mondays: Spicy Nacho Burger

Can you say "nacho" without replying "naCHO cheese!!"? I thought I might outgrow that phrase, but it never ceases to make me smile.


Since we grill almost every day, I thought I would share a tasty new burger with you. It's BEEF too...which is kind of shocking, since I usually make turkey burgers. One of my goals this summer was to incorporate lean beef into our diets and actually learn how to cook with it.  It's funny because most people ask me how to cook turkey and I turn to others to learn how to cook beef!  Laura's Lean Beef is a bit more expensive, but I can count on a quality product. On their home page, you can sign up for coupons.  We like to purchase the 92/8 beef.

The Spicy Nacho Burger can be made SUPER spicy with un-seeded jalapenos or with less of a kick with green chiles or even green peppers. If you top your burgers with avocado, it will break up some of the heat!

Quick tip: blend your spices and oil BEFORE adding meat to the mixing bowl.  This helps evenly distribute the flavors! Even if you're not using oil, just pre-mixing the spices in the bottom of the bowl helps.

Spicy Nacho Burgers
Makes 5 Burgers

What You Need:

• 1 lb Laura's Lean Beef 92/8
• 1/2 cup onion
• 1 jalapeno, seeded
• 3-4 large tortilla chips
• 1/2 cup Mexican Blend Cheese (I love the Kraft with Philadelphia)
• Spices: 1 teaspoon Cumin, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1/4 teaspoon Mexican Cayenne 
• 1 tablespoon Canola Oil
• Toppings: Pantry Salsa, Avocado
• I make the salsa with Red Gold tomatoes with green chiles! SO tasty!
• Optional: add drained black or pinto beans!
• We like to eat these on grilled corn tortillas or lettuce "buns"

1. In a chopper, add onion, jalapeno and tortillas. Pulse until in fine pieces. Set aside.
2. Stir oil in the bottom of a medium mixing bowl. Add spices and stir until blended together. 
3. Add meat to bowl and quickly mix with hands. Add onion mixture from the chopper and cheese. Mix only until blended evenly, try to avoid overmixing! Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
4. Form 5 burger patties and grill for about 3 minutes on each side.  
5. Serve with grilled corn tortillas, lettuce "bun" or regular buns.  We top ours with avocado and pantry salsa.

Enjoy!

This summer, we've been enjoying our pantry salsa made with Red Gold tomatoes...they really have an almost fresh flavor.  Until July 22 (this WEDNESDAY), they have their Summer Grilling Contest going on....enter to win 1 of 4 Big Green Egg Grills and more.

I also have a fun Red Gold tomato prize pack to give away to one lucky reader! It comes with a complimentary Laura's Lean Beef coupon (so you can try these burgers!), a variety of canned Red Gold tomatoes and a super sturdy insulated Red Gold bag.  Enter below!

Red Gold Tomato Prize Pack!