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.
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about mixing chili flavor straight into a burger like this. Also liquid smoke sounds fancy but sometimes it can taste like BBQ cleaner lol. Still… I can see it being good with the cheese.
Honestly I love liquid smoke. But also this recipe says to mix it into the beef—i dunno how much 4 teaspoons is, that seems like a lot. If it’s good, it’s gonna be real smoky. I’d try it, but I’d probably use less and add chili on top like normal.
I get why you’re skeptical, but chili *inside* the burger? It sounds weird until you try it. The liquid smoke is the risky part though—too much and yeah, it can taste like BBQ chemicals 😅 I’d start with way less than 4 tsp.
I don’t understand why you’d use Hormel chili. Canned stuff ain’t real cooking!
Canned beets are still beets, you know? This chili burger sounds delish! Cooking is about how you enjoy it, not just what’s ‘real’ cooking. Just have fun with it!
These burgers were amazing! So cheesy and the chili added a great kick. Will definitely make again!
These chili burgers are the best! My whole family loved them!
Chili on a burger? Sounds weird, but I guess to each their own. Not sure if I’d enjoy that.
I’m so glad your family loved them! These burgers sound amazing, I’m definitely gonna try them this weekend!
My cheese didn’t fully melt even with the lid. I think my heat was too low. Otherwise, the rest was easy and tasty.
These burgers are the best! So spicy and cheesy, my family loved them!
I’m skeptical about mixing liquid smoke into the raw meat. Ended up a little over-smoky for my taste, but the chili on top saved it.
My husband was skeptical but actually devoured them! 🤤
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!
Chili on burgers? Who knew? Mind blown! 🌟
This feels like ‘too many toppings’ for me. Lettuce and tomatoes right on top of hot chili makes it soggy fast. Flavor’s okay, texture not so much.
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!
Too much going on here. I prefer a simple burger, not a mess with chili.
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??
I’m picky about burgers, but this worked. I used a little less smoke because 4 tsp sounded like a lot, and it was still smoky enough.
Super easy to make!! I ran out of kaiser buns so I used regular bread and it still worked!
I made these for my family and they all loved them! The kids went crazy for the cheese!
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!
My burger fell apart! Maybe I did something wrong? 😕
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!