Spicy Pepper Jack Jalapeno Burger

This Jalapeno Burger is stacked with pickled jalapenos, melted Pepper Jack cheese, and a spicy barbecue ranch sauce that will have you licking your fingers clean! There’s plenty of heat in the beef patty too, creating a tastebud-tingling bite you can’t resist. Serve up this Tex-Mex treat in 15 minutes or less!!

Jalapeno Burger

Calling all spicy food lovers!! This jalapeno burger recipe has everything your tastebuds are craving in an easy-to-make meal.

It all starts with a smoky, spicy beef patty layered with crisp lettuce, onions, and juicy tomato. But here’s where the fun really begins: spicy, creamy Pepper Jack cheese pulls the flavors together, and it’s topped with pickled jalapenos and a homemade barbecue ranch sauce.

My Tex-Mex burger, while delicious, just wasn’t quite hot enough — but I think this jalapeno cheese burger will do the trick!

I go through enough jalapenos that I really should get some plants growing in my garden. Fresh peppers for biscuits, poppers, taquitos, and more… yes, please!!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Ground Beef – Use lean enough beef to avoid too much grease, but not so lean that it dries out. I usually use an 80/20 (80%) blend.
  
• Spices – Flavor jalapeno burger patties with ancho chile powder, chipotle chili powder, ground chile de arbol, salt, and pepper.
  
  If you can’t find these in the regular spice aisle, check the section with Mexican seasonings — either in the international aisle or near the produce section.
  
  You can also swap cayenne pepper for the chile de arbol and smoked paprika for the ancho chile powder if needed.
  
• Pickled Jalapenos – Find these in jars near the olives at the store. They’re more sour and tangy than fresh peppers, thanks to the vinegar brine.
  
• Barbecue Ranch Sauce – So easy to make with mayo, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and your favorite BBQ sauce.
  
  It adds smoky flavor and a cool contrast to all the heat in this Pepper Jack burger. Add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce to make it spicy!
  
• Pepper Jack Cheese – Super creamy and speckled with even more peppers for extra heat! If you prefer to tone things down a bit, substitute sharp cheddar, Colby, or Monterey Jack.
  
• Toppings – Iceberg or Romaine lettuce leaves and onion slices add crunch, and juicy tomatoes make any burger better. I like the sharpness of white onions here, though red onions are a good swap.
  
• Hamburger Buns – I love using fluffy potato buns for this jalapeno cheese burger, but buttery brioche or a simple sesame seed bun works too!

Tips and Tricks to Make the Perfect Pepper Jack Burger

• Mix the spices evenly into the ground beef.

Don’t just dump them all on top! Instead, measure out the spices into a smaller bowl and mix them together.

Then, sprinkle the mixture evenly over the ground beef before working it into the meat with your hands.

• Add an indent to the center after shaping the patties.

The center always rises a bit as it cooks, creating a domed patty. But if you start with an indent, you’ll get a flat, even surface that’s just right for stacking on all of your toppings!

Hamburger patties also tend to shrink in diameter as they cook, so shape them a little bit bigger than your hamburger buns for the perfect fit once cooked.

• Melt the cheese right on the grill.

For gooey results as soon as you take a bite, top each burger with Pepper Jack cheese during the last minute or so of grilling.

The cheese will melt perfectly over the patty without oozing over the sides!

Prep Ahead

• Slice the cheese
• Make the barbecue ranch sauce
• Prep the toppings

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

• Outdoor or Countertop Grill – During the colder months, I’ll sometimes just use a Grill Pan!
• Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
• Heat-Safe Spatula for transferring jalapeno burger patties on and off the grill.

Serving Suggestions

Every burger needs some fries, and my seasoned grilled fries are a perfect match for this spicy Pepper Jack burger!

Make more of the barbecue ranch sauce for dipping or whip up a quick batch of creamy bloomin’ onion sauce instead.

I’ll never turn down a garden veggie salad, but I think sweet and tangy Mexican sweet corn would be a fantastic pairing for this jalapeno burger recipe.

Round out your meal with smoked baked beans and a frosty jalapeno margarita in hand!

Storing and Reheating Jalapeno Cheese Burger

If you plan to have leftovers, wait to top each burger with Pepper Jack cheese. It will be much easier to reheat a plain patty and add a fresh slice before digging in!

Cooked patties (with or without cheese) will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight container so they don’t dry out.

All of the other toppings can be stored in separate containers in the fridge, including the barbecue ranch sauce.

Reheat leftover burger patties one at a time in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove. It helps to add a splash of water and cover with a lid so it warms evenly.

Jalapeno Burger Recipe FAQ

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook| Twitter| Pinterest| Instagram

Originally published July 2012, updated and republished April 2026

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.