Jalapeno Popper Burgers- These burgers are stuffed with cream cheese, seasoning, and pickled jalapenos. Grilled, baked, or air fried- This is the BEST burger recipe!

This recipe was originally published May 9, 2014. It has since been updated to include new photos and recipe tips.

I am obsessed with jalapeno poppers. If I ever see them on a menu I have to order them. Spicy food is my favorite, and when you pair that with cheese?? Dreamy.

This burger is inspired by the classic jalapeno popper. It layers to thin beef patties with a cream cheese and jalapeno center. From there, you cook it however you desire (I included a few ways below) and serve it with your favorite toppings!

This thing is JUICY. It is packed with flavor and gooey cheesy goodness and has quickly become one of our favorites during grilling season.

The filling is made up of two cheeses, seasoning, and pickled jalapeno. You can absolutely use fresh jalapenos, I simply prefer the diced pickled version.

Jalapeno Popper Burger Filling:

Cream Cheese- Softened cream cheese is best. Room temperature makes it easier to mix.
Cheddar Cheese- Shredded cheddar kicks this up to the next level and gives it even more cheesy goodness.
Seasoning- I always add veggie seasoning, like Traeger’s Veggie rub or McCormick’s Perfect Pinch Vegetable seasoning. It adds so much flavor, but isn’t necessary.
Jalapenos- Pickled is my go-to but you absolutely can use fresh jalapenos. Use whatever you prefer.

How to make stuffed jalapeno popper burgers:

Stuffed burgers are a tasty and fun variation of the classic burger! The patty is split in two and a filling is put in between. When you cook the burger the cheesy center melts and becomes an ooey gooey delicious flavor explosion!

Mix the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, and burger seasoning in a medium mixing bowl. Divide into 8 equal sized pieces.
Flatten each piece of meat into rounds that are approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Set aside.
Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, veggie seasoning, and jalapenos for the filling.
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling mixture onto the top of half of the patties.
Place the remaining 4 patties onto the top of the 4 with the cheese filling.
Pinch the sides, sealing the mixture in. Gently press to slightly flatten.

From there, you can cook this recipe on the grill, in the oven, or even in an air fryer! Searching for something a little more traditional? Try these Smash Burgers from my friend Nicole!

Tips for this Jalapeno Popper Burger recipe:

This is a fairly basic burger with a special cooking method. I decided to include a few quick tips to hopefully help you get your burgers going.

Overworking your meat can leave you with a tough burger. Try to mix the burger ingredients until just combined.
Use wax paper to help you press and shape your patties.
Taste the filling mixture and add more jalapenos as needed.
Patties can be made up to 1 day in advance.

How to make burgers on the grill:

Preheat your grill to medium high, or about 450 degrees.
Place the burgers on the grill.
Cook 2 minutes each side for rare, 3 minutes each side for medium well.

How to make burgers in the oven:

Preheat the broiler on the oven and line a baking tray with foil.
Lay your prepared patties onto the tray. Cook 10 to 13 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Check out my oven sliders for more on baking your burgers.

How to make burgers in an air fryer:

Preheat the air fry function of your air fryer to 375 degrees. Add the burgers when it is ready.
Cook 7 to 9 minutes. The longer you cook the more well done your burger will be.
Remove from the air fryer, pat with a paper towel to remove excess grease, and enjoy!

More Burger Recipes:

This burger was originally featured in Burger Week with my friend Yvonne from Tried and Tasty! Her burger for the day was a black bean veggie burger! We have made this over a dozen times and it is dreamy! Be sure to hop over and check out the recipe!

5 from 1 vote