Bacon Queso Burgers

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    Bacon Queso Burgers
    • 6Servings

    Ingredients

    Queso Sauce

    • 2 poblano chiles
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 shallots, finely chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
    • Salt and pepper
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 1/4 cups whole milk
    • 3 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces, at room temperature
    • 1 cup shredded smoked cheddar or smoked Gouda
    • 1 cup shredded sharp yellow cheddar
    • 1 rounded tbsp. yellow mustard, preferably French's

    Burgers

    • 12 slices smoky bacon
    • 1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
    • 3 tablespoons grated onion
    • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons chili powder, preferably Gebhardt
    • Kosher salt and pepper
    • 1 tablespoon canola oil
    • 6 burger or kaiser rolls, or 12 slider rolls

    Toppings

    • Chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce, diced seeded tomatoes, chopped white onion, corn chips (preferably Fritos) or corn tortilla chips (preferably Xochitl) and pickled jalapeno rings

    Preparation

    Working over a gas burner or under the broiler, char the poblanos, turning often, until blackened all over. Transfer to a bowl. Cover; let cool 15 minutes. Peel, seed and chop the poblanos.

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees .

    In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, 1 to 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cornstarch. Add the milk and cook, stirring often, until it comes to a bubble. Add the cream cheese; stir until it melts and the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Add the cheeses; stir until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in the mustard and poblanos; remove from the heat. Just before serving, reheat the queso over medium, stirring occasionally, until melted.

    Arrange the bacon on a slotted broiler pan or a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake until browned and crispy, about 20 minutes, then chop.

    In a medium bowl, combine the sirloin, onion, Worcestershire and chili powder; season with kosher salt and pepper. Form into 6 burger patties or 12 slider patties (thinner in the centers for even cooking).

    Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle pan over medium-high. Add the canola oil, one turn of the pan. Add the patties and cook, turning occasionally, 7 to 8 minutes for burgers or 2 to 3 minutes for sliders.

    Top the bun bottoms with lettuce, tomato and chopped onion. Add the patties, chips, queso sauce, bacon bits, jalapeno rings and bun tops.