Chili Cheeseburgers with Onion Strings (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Patties

01 - 680 g ground beef (80/20 blend, minimum 15% fat)
02 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

04 - 480 ml prepared chili (beef or vegetarian, warmed)
05 - 120 g cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded
06 - 100 g fried onion strings
07 - 120 ml queso sauce, warmed

→ Buns

08 - 4 hamburger buns, split
09 - 30 g unsalted butter, for toasting buns

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Divide ground beef into four equal portions and shape each into a patty about 2 cm thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
03 - Brush the cut sides of hamburger buns with melted butter and toast on the grill cut-side down until lightly golden and crisp, about 1–2 minutes.
04 - Grill beef patties for 4–9 minutes per side according to desired doneness—rare to well-done. Do not press the patties while grilling.
05 - Place cheddar cheese on each patty during the final minute of grilling. Close the grill lid briefly to melt the cheese.
06 - Transfer the cooked patties to a plate and let rest for 3–5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
07 - Place each patty on the bottom half of a toasted bun. Top generously with warmed chili, a drizzle of queso, and a handful of fried onion strings. Close with the top bun.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - For optimal flavor, avoid using excessively lean beef; patties with at least 15% fat ensure juiciness.
02 - Do not press down on burgers during grilling, as this releases flavorful juices.
03 - Let burgers rest briefly after grilling to retain moisture.
04 - Add cheese during the final minute of grilling to melt evenly.
05 - Lightly toast buns for extra texture and flavor.