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Burgers: Jalapeno Popper Burgers

Source: Taste of Home

This makes 5 larger burgers (pat into smaller burgers to make 6, if desired)

Ingredients

  • 3 jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 1 t. olive oil
  • 6 center-cut bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
  • 3-4 oz. low-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1 t. lemon-pepper seasoning
  • 1/2 t. pepper
  • 1/4 t. paprika
  • 2 lbs. ground sirloin
  • 5-6 slices pepper Jack cheese
  • 5-6 hamburger buns, split
  • lettuce leaves
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • 1 c. guacamole (recipe follows)

Guacamole Topping

  • 2 ripe Haas avocados
  • 1-1/2 Tbls. fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 5 dashes hot pepper sauce
  • 1 small tomato, seeded and diced small
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion (or regular onion)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 t. kosher salt
  • 1/2 t. black pepper

Instructions

Brush jalapenos with oil. Grill covered, over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until tender, turning occasionally. When cool enough to handle, finely chop.

In a small bowl, combine the bacon, cream cheese and jalapeno until blended.

In a large bowl, combine the garlic, salt, lemon-pepper, pepper and paprika. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 10 (or 12) thin patties. Spoon bacon mixture onto center of four patties; top with remaining patties and press edges firmly to seal.

Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat until a meat thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear.

Top with pepper Jack cheese. Cover and cook 1-2 minutes longer or until pepper Jack cheese is melted.

Grill buns, cut side down, over medium heat for 30-60 seconds or until toasted. Serve burgers on buns with lettuce, tomato and guacamole.

Just before burgers are done, make guacamole.

Scoop avocado out of shells and into a large bowl. Add lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, onion, garlic, salt, pepper. Using a sharp knife, slice through the avocados in the bowl until finely diced or mash. Mix and add tomatoes.

NOTE: I make ahead and freeze (wrap individually). Then I have them on hand to grill. You can thaw in refrigerator or grill frozen.