Spicy Chipotle Bacon Burgers with Crispy Potatoes and Pepita Salad

Get ready for a burger experience that packs a punch in every bite. These spicy chipotle bacon burgers combine smoky, sweet, and savory elements for an unforgettable meal. The beef patties are seasoned with mustard seeds and fry seasoning, then topped with melty pepper jack cheese, juicy tomato, and a smoky chipotle brown sugar bacon that adds a delightful crunch.

Alongside the burgers, we serve crispy roasted potatoes and a refreshing salad of mixed greens tossed with a zesty lime dressing and crunchy pepitas. It’s a complete, satisfying dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

Ingredients

12 ounce PotatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chipotle PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fry SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Pepper Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit KetchupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Brioche BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Brown SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce Mixed GreensView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce PepitasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Mustard SeedsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Wash and cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch wedges or cubes. Toss with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway.
2. While potatoes roast, prepare the chipotle bacon. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and chipotle powder. Lay bacon strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle the mixture evenly over each strip. Bake for 10-12 minutes until caramelized and crispy. Let cool, then chop into pieces.
3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, mustard seeds, fry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently and form into two patties, about 1/2-inch thick. Make a slight indent in the center of each patty to prevent puffing.
4. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness. In the last minute of cooking, top each patty with pepper jack cheese and cover to melt.
5. While patties cook, prepare the special sauce: mix mayonnaise and ketchup in a small bowl. Set aside. Slice the tomato into rounds. Thinly slice the red onion. Halve the lime.
6. Toast the brioche buns in the skillet or oven until lightly golden.
7. Assemble the burgers: spread special sauce on the bottom bun, add lettuce (optional), then the patty with cheese, tomato slices, red onion, and chipotle bacon pieces. Top with the other bun half.
8. For the salad, toss mixed greens with a squeeze of lime juice, a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle pepitas on top.
9. Serve burgers with crispy potatoes and the pepita salad on the side.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Parchment paper

Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper Roll, Non Stick Parchment Paper for Cooking and Baking, Oven Safe up to 425 Degrees, Chlorine-Free, 45 Feet x 12 Inches, 45 Total Sq. Ft.View on AmazonAmazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper for Baking, Cooking, Oven Safe, 15 inches, 90 Sq Ft Roll, 1 PackView on AmazonReynolds Kitchens Stay Flat Parchment Paper Roll, Non Curling Baking Parchment Paper for Baking and Cooking, Oven Safe up to 425 Degrees, 36 Feet x 15 Inches, 45 Total Sq. Ft.View on Amazon

Large bowl

Winco , 8-Quart, Stainless Steel (MXB-800Q)View on AmazonFox Run Brands 2.75-Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl, 9 x 9 x 4 inches, MetallicView on AmazonMfacoy 2 Pack Salad Bowl, 8 inch 60 oz Large Serving Bowl Set, Deep Bowl for Kitchen, White Ceramic Bowl Set for Soup, Cereal, Ramen, Pasta, Salad, Dishwasher & Microwave Safe, Easy CleanView on Amazon

Skillet or grill pan

AmazonShop popular Skillet or grill pan on AmazonView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Knife

Legal Pocket Knife with 2.95” Serrated Blade, Glass Breaker, Seat Belt Cutter - EDC Sharp Folding Knives with Portable Clip - Small Tool for Tactical Camping Survival Hiking - Gifts for Men 6680View on AmazonSmith & Wesson Accessories Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife with 3.1in Serrated Clip Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDCView on AmazonAmazon Basics Classic 8-inch Full Tang High Carbon Stainless Steel Chef's Knife, Multipurpose Kitchen Knife with Three Rivets, SilverView on Amazon

Cutting board

Astercook Deep-Carbonized Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen with Wood Storage Stand, Reversible Charcuterie & Chopping Boards with Juice Grooves and Easy-Grip Handles, Fathers Day Gift for MenView on AmazonZeawec 3-Piece Set Bamboo Cutting Board for Kitchen - Crack-Resistant Wood Chopping Boards with Deep Juice Grooves, Pre-Oiled Butcher Block for Meat, Vegetables & Cheese, CarbonizedView on AmazonTitanium Cutting Board for Kitchen, Cutting Board Double Sided Food Grade, Pure Titanium/PP, Easy to Clean Large Size 15”×10.3”View on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese instead of pepper jack?

Yes, you can substitute with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or provolone for a milder flavor.

How do I make the chipotle bacon less spicy?

Reduce the chipotle powder to 1/2 teaspoon or omit it entirely for a sweet brown sugar bacon.

Can I grill the burgers instead of pan-frying?

Absolutely! Preheat your grill to medium-high and cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side.