Chili Cheeseburgers

Name: Chili Cheeseburgers
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 cups tomato juice; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper; 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained; BURGERS:; 2 pounds ground beef; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 8 slices American cheese; 8 hamburger buns, split; 1 cup french-fried onions; Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream

Total Time Prep: 50 min. Cook: 10 min.

Yield 8 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Loaded with spicy, smoky, made-from-scratch chili, this recipe for chili cheeseburgers is one of the all-time greats.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups tomato juice
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon chili powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
BURGERS:
2 pounds ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 slices American cheese
8 hamburger buns, split
1 cup french-fried onions
Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream

Directions

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes, breaking beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in tomato juice, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, chipotle pepper and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in kidney beans; heat through.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine beef, salt, pepper and garlic powder, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape eight 1/2-in.-thick patties. Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°, 3-4 minutes on each side. Top with cheese; grill, covered, until cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes longer. Grill buns over medium heat, cut side down, until toasted, 30-60 seconds. Serve burgers on buns with chili, french-fried onions and, if desired, optional toppings.

Nutrition Facts

1 burger: 631 calories, 30g fat (12g saturated fat), 120mg cholesterol, 1449mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 43g protein.

My husband and I really enjoy a good grilled burger, so I knew this chili version would be perfect for us! I used some of the same flavors from our favorite chili recipe and our favorite toppings. They may be a little messy to eat, but they are soooo good! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Recipe Creator