These smoked red jalapeños add pizzazz to almost anything grilled. Fold minced chipotles into your burger mixture, form patties, and grill. Top the burgers with melted jack cheese, sliced avocados, and a little cilantro. If you want even more heat, double down and add strips of roasted poblano chilies.

What Are Chipotles in Adobo?

Chipotle peppers are ripened red jalapeño peppers that have been smoked until they’ve dried and lost most of their moisture (a process that can take several days). Adobo sauce is a thick, spicy, slightly tangy sauce. “Chipotles in adobo” are simply chipotle peppers that have been stewed and packed in adobo sauce. Look for chipotles in adobo in small cans or jars in the canned food aisle of your grocery store, or with the Mexican ingredients. If you don’t use the entire can, transfer the chipotles in the adobo sauce to a small air-tight container and refrigerate. They will keep for several months.

A Tip for the Best Grilled Burgers

Here’s a tip! Form your burger patties with a little indentation in the center and as they cook, the patties won’t bulge as much in the center. Read more about this tip in our post on How to Grill the Best Burgers.

Love Burgers? Try These Recipes!

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Place the blackened peppers in a covered bowl for 15 minutes or so to steam. Peel off the charred skin and remove all the seeds. Slice into thick ribbons and toss with a little vegetable oil and salt and set aside. If you want toasted burger buns with your burgers, toast them after you’ve flipped the burgers. Watch that the buns don’t burn; when they are lightly toasted move them to a tray near the grill.