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Ghost Pepper Queso Smash Burger with melted queso and spicy ranch drizzle on brioche bun

Crafting the Ghost Pepper Queso Smash Burger


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  • Author: Chef Crenn
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A bold and fiery gourmet burger combining the intense heat of ghost peppers with the rich creaminess of queso cheese sauce, elevated with a signature fiery ranch swirl for the ultimate spicy burger experience.


Ingredients

Scale

1 lb high-quality ground beef (80/20 blend)

23 ghost peppers or 2 tablespoons ghost pepper sauce

1 cup queso cheese sauce (homemade or store-bought)

4 brioche burger buns

4 leaves fresh lettuce

2 large tomatoes, sliced

1/2 cup ranch dressing

23 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon dried herbs

1 fresh lime, juiced

Salt and pepper to taste


Instructions

1. Preheat your griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until smoking hot

2. Season the ground beef with salt and pepper, then form into 4 loose balls (don’t overwork the meat)

3. Place beef balls on the hot griddle and immediately smash down with a spatula to create thin patties

4. Cook for 2-3 minutes until crispy crust forms, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes

5. In a bowl, combine ranch dressing, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs

6. Add fresh lime juice to the ranch mixture and whisk until smooth

7. Transfer the fiery ranch swirl to a squeeze bottle for easy application

8. Toast the brioche buns on the griddle until golden brown

9. Warm the queso cheese sauce in a small saucepan over low heat

10. Assemble burgers: bottom bun, beef patty, generous amount of queso, fiery ranch swirl, lettuce, tomato, top bun

11. Serve immediately with crispy fries or fresh salad

Notes

Handle ghost peppers with gloves to avoid skin irritation

Adjust spice level by using fewer ghost peppers or removing seeds and membranes

For best results, use fresh, high-quality ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio

The fiery ranch swirl can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in refrigerator

Let flavors meld by refrigerating the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving

For a milder version, substitute ghost peppers with jalapeños or serranos

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 burger
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 1200mg
  • Fat: 42g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg