Description
Spicy Cajun burgers blend zesty Louisiana flavors with perfectly seasoned ground beef. Grilled patties deliver bold Creole-inspired taste that delights palates with authentic Southern charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 3 pounds ground chuck
Cheese:
- 10 ounces pepper jack cheese, cubed (1/4 cubes)
- Colby Jack 3 Pepper Cheese
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons Tonys Lite Creole Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Tonys Lite Creole Seasoning
Sauces and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 bottle Tonys Creole Style Burger Marinade
- 2 sweet onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Toasted buns
Instructions
- Craft the zesty Cajun sauce by blending mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Tonys Lite Creole Seasoning in a mixing bowl. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator until serving time.
- Create the burger rub by thoroughly combining garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and Tonys Lite Creole Seasoning in a separate container.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently combine ground chuck with cubed pepper jack cheese and Tonys Creole Style Burger Marinade. Shape the mixture into robust patties approximately 1/2 inch thick. Arrange the patties on parchment paper and freeze for 20 minutes to firm up the meat.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped sweet onions and salt, then slowly caramelize for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until rich golden brown and deeply softened.
- Heat the smoker to 250-275F using hickory wood chunks. Carefully place prepared patties on the smoker rack and cook for 30-40 minutes. Sprinkle Colby Jack 3 Pepper Cheese over each patty during the final cooking stage. Monitor internal temperature until it reaches 165F, then remove and allow burgers to rest for 6 minutes.
- Construct the burgers by placing the smoked patties on toasted buns. Generously spread Cajun sauce, top with caramelized onions, and add extra cheese if desired.
Notes
- Customize the spice level by adjusting Tony’s Creole Seasoning to match your heat tolerance, making the burger adaptable for mild or bold palates.
- Freeze the patties before smoking helps maintain their shape and prevents cheese from melting out during cooking, ensuring a perfect texture and juicy interior.
- Consider using leaner ground beef like 85/15 or ground turkey for a healthier alternative without compromising the rich Cajun flavor profile.
- Prep the Cajun sauce and burger rub ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and enhance the depth of flavors through ingredient melding.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg