Chili burgers are the kind of meal that makes no apologies. They’re big, bold, and just the right amount of messy, in the best possible way. Combining two comfort food favorites, these burgers are stacked high with juicy patties and generous spoonfuls of hearty chili, all nestled in a soft bun. It’s the kind of burger that demands two hands and plenty of napkins.
A chilli burger is a juicy beef burger topped with hearty, spicy chilli con carne—usually made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices—served in a toasted bun. It’s messy, bold, and full of flavor.
Use 80/20 ground beef for the patties—enough fat for juiciness but not too greasy. The chilli topping can be made with leaner ground beef or even turkey for a lighter version.
It depends on the chilli. You can control the heat by adjusting ingredients like chili powder, jalapeños, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper. Mild versions are just as flavorful without the burn.
Absolutely! Swap the beef patty for a veggie burger and use plant-based chilli made with beans, lentils, or meat substitutes.
Besides chilli, popular additions include cheddar cheese, onions, pickles, jalapeños, sour cream, or even corn chips for crunch.
A sturdy brioche or potato bun holds up well to the saucy chilli without falling apart.
Great options include fries, onion rings, coleslaw, potato wedges, or a cold beer for the ultimate combo.
Ingredients
- 1 lb hamburger
- 1 can Hormel chili no beans
- 4 slices yellow cheese
- 4 slices white cheese
- 8 pieces lettuce
- 8 slices Tomatoes
- 8 slices yellow Vidalia onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
- hickory smoke to taste
- 4 kaiser buns
- bacon grease for frying
Instructions
- Mix 1 pound of hamburger with 4 teaspoons of liquid smoke. Form into 4 good-sized patties.
- Heat up a skillet (iron or stainless steel) with a little bacon grease. Cook the patties on medium heat for 5 minutes on each side.
- While the burgers are cooking, heat up the can of Hormel chili.
- When the burgers are done, place one slice of white cheese and one slice of yellow cheese on each patty. Cover the skillet with a lid to allow the cheese to melt. Drain any excess liquid from the pan if necessary.
- Wash and slice the tomatoes, onions, and lettuce.
- Place each patty on the bottom half of a Kaiser bun. Top with chili, lettuce, tomato, onion, and any condiments of choice.
- Place the top half of the bun on each burger, and enjoy your chili cheeseburgers!
Notes
Opt for ground beef with a bit of fat (around 80/20) to keep your burgers juicy and flavorful, even after adding spicy elements. 🔥 Mix Carefully:
Gently fold your chopped chilies, spices, and seasoning into the meat. Overmixing can make the burgers tough instead of tender. 🔥 Spice It Up Thoughtfully:
Use a mix of fresh chilies, chili powder, or hot sauce depending on your spice tolerance. Layer the heat so it’s bold but still enjoyable. 🔥 Preheat the Grill or Pan:
Make sure your cooking surface is hot before adding the burgers. This helps create a flavorful sear and locks in juices. 🔥 Add Cooling Toppings:
Balance the heat with toppings like avocado, cheese, or a dollop of sour cream. It makes the burger more delicious and easier on the palate. 🔥 Rest Before Serving:
Let the burgers rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices can settle, making each bite moist and packed with flavor.
These burgers were amazing! So cheesy and the chili added a great kick. Will definitely make again!
I added jalapeños for spice! 😋
Not bad, but I think I messed up the cooking time. Burgers were a bit dry.
Yum! I added extra bacon grease and it turned out delicious! Everybody loved ’em!
Extra bacon grease? That’s a bold move! I usually keep it simple, but glad it worked for you!
Yum! I added jalapenos, and it was fire 🔥. Definitely a keeper. Thanks, Joeanna!
These chili burgers are bomb! I love how the liquid smoke adds such a unique flavor.
These were amazing! The chili and cheese combo is to die for!
Are you sure it’s that good? Seems kinda simple to me… Maybe adding more spices would help?
I totally agree! The mix of chili and cheese makes everything better! Can’t wait to make this again!
I dunno, the liquid smoke seemed too much. I couldn’t really taste the burger. Not my favorite.
The combo of chili and cheese is mind-blowing. Why didn’t I think of this before?
I know, right? Chili and cheese together is just the best! Can’t believe I didn’t try this sooner either.
Chili and cheese? Sounds weird to me. I prefer my burgers plain. But hey, if you like it, go for it!
This is too much cheese! Why mix yellow and white? Just pick one, man.
Who needs two kinds of cheese? Seems unnecessary. Just stick with one, man! Less is more.
I think the combination is actually pretty delicious! The mix of cheeses adds depth. Don’t knock it till you try it! 🍔
I followed the recipe but burnt my patties. Maybe I need a new skillet??
Super easy to make!! I ran out of kaiser buns so I used regular bread and it still worked!
I don’t know, seems kinda weird to mix chili and burgers. Maybe too much? But I guess you can try it.
I dunno, the liquid smoke is kinda weird. My burgers tasted funny. Not sure I’d try again.
I understand where you’re coming from! Liquid smoke can be a bit overwhelming for some. Maybe try it with less next time? Or skip it altogether? Just a thought!
What’s the difference between yellow and white cheese? I just used whatever was in the fridge lol.
These are the best burgers ever! Super easy to make and taste so good. I’m gonna make ’em again this weekend!
Bacon grease? Seriously? No thanks. I’ll stick to olive oil.
I get what you mean, but bacon grease adds a flavor that olive oil just can’t match. It’s worth a try!
I don’t know about this recipe. Using a can of Hormel? Isn’t that cheating? I prefer homemade chili.
I totally get what you mean! Homemade chili has that special touch, but sometimes convenience wins, right? 😄
Cheating? Nah! Hormel is just easy way to make it quick. I’m not spending all day cooking when I’m hungry!
These burgers are okay, but I think they don’t need cheese. Why put two kinds? Seems unnecessary. 🤷♂️
This is just a glorified cheeseburger with junk on top. Who needs all that fuss? LOL
Hey, don’t knock it until you try it! This sounds amazing, actually. Sometimes more is better in a burger!
Really simple and quick! My kids loved them. Will definitely make again!
Sounds delicious! I’m glad your kids liked them. I’ll have to try this for my family too!
YUM! My husband said it’s the best burger he ever ate!!
That sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try it myself! 🙂
Good recipe but too much smoke flavor for me 🤢. Next time, I’ll cut back on that liquid smoke.
I made these for a BBQ party, and they were gone in minutes! Everyone loved them. You gotta try it!
So much flavor in this recipe, but I forgot the onions. Still turned out good. Tasty!
Instructions are a bit confusing. Ishould I really fry in bacon grease? Sounds unhealthy…😟
I don’t get why people add chili to burgers… Seems like a weird combo to me.
My mom always said chili and cheese don’t mix. I tried it… and she was right. Yuck!
I feel like this is too much effort for a burger. Can’t we just throw a patty on the grill?
Nah, sometimes you gotta go the extra mile for flavor! These chili burgers sound worth it to me.
Chili on a burger is kinda gross, are you sure that’s how it goes? But my friend liked it.
Yum! My husband loved these! I added jalapeños for some extra kick, it was fire! 🔥
Nah, this ain’t it. Not worth the trouble. Just stick to classic burgers.
Made these at a BBQ, everyone loved them! Thx for the recipe!
Chili burgers? Who came up with that? Sounds like something my grandma would say. 🤔
Yum! I skipped the hickory smoke and they still turned out great! Will definitely make again.
Sounds delicious! Glad to hear it turned out well without the hickory smoke. I might try that next time too!
These burgers were amazing! The chili and cheese combo took it to another level. Will definitely make again!