Prepare your palate for an unforgettable journey South of the border with our incredible Tijuana Burger recipe! As summer temperatures rise and grilling season kicks into full swing, it’s the perfect time to elevate your backyard barbecue. This year, we’re joining the “Burgervention” movement, spearheaded by Best Foods (also known as Hellmann’s), aiming to banish dry, lackluster burgers from dinner tables across America. Get ready to sink your teeth into a burger that’s bursting with flavor, incredibly moist, and wonderfully unique.
Juicy Tijuana Burgers: Your Ultimate Southwest Grilling Recipe
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Embracing the Vibrant Flavors of the Southwest
Living in Phoenix, Arizona, I am constantly surrounded by an incredible culinary landscape, rich with the vibrant and bold flavors of the Southwest and authentic Mexican cuisine. It truly is a Mexican foodie heaven! This constant inspiration means I’m always looking for new ways to infuse those beloved tastes into my everyday cooking, especially when it comes to summer grilling. As the days grow longer and the scent of barbecue fills the air, I was determined to create a burger recipe that was anything but ordinary – a burger packed with a punch of Southwest zest that would excite my family’s taste buds.
My quest for the perfect burger brought me back to childhood memories. I recall my mom often incorporating Best Foods mayonnaise (or Hellmann’s, depending on which side of the Rockies you live!) into her burger patties, alongside other seasonings. The result was always consistently moist and incredibly flavorful burgers – truly the best ever juicy burgers! This simple yet effective trick ensures that the patties remain tender and full of flavor even after grilling. I decided to adopt this brilliant technique for my new creation, and it was an absolute triumph! The subtly spiced burger, made exceptionally juicy with mayonnaise, proved to be the perfect base for an array of vibrant toppings: tender pinto beans, creamy homemade guacamole, and crisp shredded cabbage. I know, these aren’t your typical burger toppings, but trust me, they are extraordinarily delicious! Each bite felt like a gourmet experience straight from a high-end restaurant. My family wholeheartedly agreed that this Tijuana Burger instantly earned a permanent spot in our regular grilling rotation.
The Secret to an Unforgettable, Juicy Burger
The core of any great burger lies in its juiciness and rich flavor. Far too often, homemade burgers can turn out dry and bland, leaving you feeling unsatisfied. This is where Best Foods (Hellmann’s) mayonnaise steps in as your secret weapon. By simply mixing a generous portion of real mayonnaise directly into your ground beef mixture before forming the patties, you’re locking in an incredible amount of moisture and adding a subtle tang that complements the savory beef. As the burgers cook on the grill, the mayonnaise works its magic, preventing the meat from drying out and ensuring every bite is succulent and tender. This technique is a cornerstone of the “Burgervention” initiative, promising an end to the reign of dry burgers and ushering in an era of perfectly moist, flavorful patties.
Beyond the amazing juiciness, the Tijuana Burger truly shines with its thoughtfully curated Southwest spice blend. Ground cumin, chili powder, and paprika join forces with minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce to create a deeply aromatic and mildly spicy profile that perfectly complements the rich beef. It’s a flavor combination that will transport your taste buds straight to a bustling taqueria.
Assembling Your Masterpiece: A Symphony of Flavors
Creating this gourmet Tijuana Burger experience is surprisingly simple, requiring just four straightforward steps: 1) Mix your ingredients, 2) Shape the patties, 3) Grill to perfection, and 4) Enjoy! The magic truly happens when you bring all the components together. Each topping plays a crucial role in balancing the flavors and textures, transforming a simple burger into a culinary adventure. The warm, slightly mashed pinto beans provide an earthy and hearty layer, while the zesty, creamy guacamole adds a refreshing contrast and a luxurious texture. The crisp shredded cabbage introduces a much-needed crunch and freshness, cutting through the richness of the burger and beans. Forget about ordinary lettuce and tomato; these unique additions are what make the Tijuana Burger truly stand out and make it a must-have for your summer grilling parties. You and your family are going to absolutely adore this innovative and delicious burger!
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
To complete this perfect summer meal, we highly recommend serving these Tijuana Burgers alongside a generous portion of crispy French fries. But why stop there? Elevate your fries with an incredibly easy homemade fry sauce: simply mix two parts Best Foods mayonnaise with one part ketchup. This creamy, tangy sauce is the ideal complement to both the fries and the robust flavors of the burger itself. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water!
For additional serving suggestions, consider a refreshing side salad with a lime vinaigrette, or a vibrant corn and black bean salsa. A cold Mexican lager or a glass of chilled horchata would also make excellent beverage pairings. This meal is not just a burger; it’s a complete culinary experience, perfect for weekend gatherings, Fourth of July celebrations, or any casual summer evening. We know this will be a frequent request in our household, and we’re confident it will be in yours too!
For more delicious recipes and tips on how to make the Best Ever Juicy Burger for your family and friends this summer, be sure to visit Best Foods. You can also engage with them on social media by tweeting @BestFoods and using the hashtag #burgervention to share your own juicy burger creations!
Don’t miss out on fantastic recipe ideas and special offers! Follow Best Foods on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest for a continuous stream of inspiration for your kitchen and grill.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Simple Southwest Chicken & Rice Soup
- BBQ Bacon Jalapeno Cheddar Stuffed Burgers
- Best of the Summer – Grill Recipes!
- Black Bean Nacho Burger
- Butter Bean Burgers
Servings: 6 burgers
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Tijuana Burger
By Jamie Sherman
Take your taste buds South of the border with this Tijuana Burger! This summer, just in time for the 4th of July holiday, Best Foods [aka – Hellmann’s] is staging a “Burgervention,” putting an end to dry burgers across America.
Print Recipe
Ingredients
For the burger patties
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- ½ cup Best Foods real mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain dry bread crumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the sandwich
- 1 can pinto beans, rinsed (15 oz.)
- 3 tablespoons prepared salsa
- 1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeño
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Prepared Guacamole
- 1 ½ cups shredded cabbage
- 6 cornmeal dusted hamburger buns, or your favorite hamburger bun!
Instructions
- Preheat a gas grill over high heat or a charcoal grill until it glows bright orange and ashes over.
- While the grill preheats, place the pinto beans in a medium microwave-safe bowl and mash slightly. Add the salsa, pickled jalapeño, and cumin. Mix well. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Best Foods mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until well mixed. Divide and shape the ground beef into 6 patties. Brush the burgers lightly with oil.
- Grill the burgers until browned and slightly charred on the first side (about 3-4 minutes). Flip the burgers over and continue to cook until desired doneness – about 4 minutes for medium-rare, longer for a more done burger.
- Microwave the beans (covered but vented) on HIGH heat for 30-60 seconds or until heated through.
- To assemble the burger, place the bean mixture on the cut side of the bottom bun. Top with a burger patty. Top with cabbage. On the cut side of the top bun, spread with guacamole. Replace the top bun over the cabbage. Serve!
Notes
- I love crafting these combinations of toppings for you! Feel free to get creative and mix them up and experiment with your own favorite Southwest ingredients.
- For an extra kick, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of chipotle powder to your burger mixture or the bean topping.
- If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of jalapeño or omit it entirely.
Nutrition
- Calories: 846 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Fat: 58 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
- Sodium: 947 mg
- Potassium: 1008 mg
- Fiber: 8 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Vitamin A: 354 IU
- Vitamin C: 13 mg
- Calcium: 171 mg
- Iron: 7 mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoyed this recipe? Share your thoughts below! We love hearing from you and seeing your delicious creations. Leave a comment and let us know how your Tijuana Burger turned out!
Originally published on June 18, 2014. Updated on April 29, 2021.