Smoky BBQ Cheddar Burgers with Chipotle Aioli and Crispy Potato Wedges

Get ready for a burger experience that’s bursting with layers of flavor. These smoky BBQ cheddar burgers feature juicy beef patties seasoned with fry spice and minced onion, topped with gooey melted cheddar and a tangle of sweet, caramelized onions simmered in barbecue sauce. A generous slick of chipotle aioli on the toasted bun ties everything together, delivering a perfect, flavor-packed bite in every mouthful.

And what’s a great burger without a side of crispy fries? Oven-roasted potato wedges, seasoned with the same fry spice, provide the ideal crunchy counterpart. This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to satisfy the biggest burger cravings. Prepare for total taste bud takeover!

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

Ingredients

1 unit Yellow OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Yukon Gold PotatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chipotle PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Classic BBQ SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fry SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in top position. Halve, peel and thinly slice the onion. Mince enough slices to get 2 tablespoons (4 tablespoons for 4 servings). Cut potatoes into ½-inch-thick wedges. Halve the buns. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise with chipotle powder to taste (start with a pinch, then add more if desired). Season with salt and pepper.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add sliced onion and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 10-15 minutes. If onion browns too quickly, lower heat and add a splash of water. Stir in half the BBQ sauce (reserve the rest for serving); cook until warmed through, 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Wipe out the pan.
3. On a baking sheet, toss potato wedges with a drizzle of oil, half the fry seasoning, salt and pepper. Roast on top rack until browned and tender, 20-25 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced onion, remaining fry seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt (1 teaspoon for 4 servings) and pepper. Form into two patties (four for 4 servings), each slightly wider than a bun.
5. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook until browned and cooked to your liking, 3-5 minutes per side. In the last 1-2 minutes, top each patty with cheddar; cover pan until cheese melts. Remove patties. While they cook, toast buns until golden.
6. Spread bottom buns with remaining BBQ sauce. Spread top buns with chipotle aioli. Assemble burgers with patties and caramelized onion. Serve with potato wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While cheddar melts beautifully, you can substitute with Monterey Jack, pepper jack or even provolone for a different flavor.

Can I make the chipotle aioli ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the aioli up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a stir before using.

How do I prevent the burgers from falling apart?

Make sure the patties are well-formed and chilled for about 15 minutes before cooking. Also, avoid pressing down on them while they cook.