Take your grilled burger to the next level with this Chili Cheese Burger. Juicy burger is topped with cheese, chili and crispy onions for a delicious burger recipe.

Chili Cheeseburger on a plate
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This easy grilled beef recipe takes an American classic to the next level with the delicious toppings. Made from scratch chili is topped on a cheeseburger with sauce and crispy onions.

Layers of delicious ingredients makes this a crowd pleasing burger recipe. If you love this burger, you will want to make this Chili Burger. For another delicious idea, try this Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger Sliders, Jack Daniels Burger, Western Burger or this Pretzel Bun Burger.

Why We Love This Recipe

This chili cheese burger is loaded with flavor. It cooks juicy on the grill and taste even better topped with homemade chili. The simple spices makes the chili so delicious.

This burger is stacked with layers of beef, chili, queso and crispy onions. You will definitely need a fork to eat this burger.

Ingredients

Chili Cheeseburger ingredients - ground beef, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper

For the Chili

  • Lean Ground Beef
  • Onion, finely chopped
  • Cloves Garlic, minced – You can also use garlic powder
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Tomato Paste
  • Beef Broth
  • Chili Powder
  • Ground Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Cayenne Pepper (optional)
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

For the Burgers 

  • Ground Beef
  • Kosher Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Slices American Cheese
  • Queso Cheese Dip
  • Crispy Onion Strings
  • Hamburger Buns

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

  • Chili – Feel free to change the ingredients in this homemade chili recipe. You can easily add in beans in chili sauce, tomato sauce and more.
  • Change Meat – We used lbs ground beef for the burger patties and chili. But you can also use ground turkey or a mixture of both.

Step by Step Instructions

Cooking the ground beef in a large pot

Step 1 – In a large pot, cook 1 pound of ground beef over medium heat until browned. Break the meat apart with a spatula as it cooks.

Adding the onions and garlic to the ground beef in the large pot

Step 2 – Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.

Stirring in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the ground beef mixture in the large pot

Step 3 – Stir in the diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.

Add in the seasoning and beef broth to the ground beef mixture

Step 4 – Add the beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Simmer chili on low.

How to Make Burgers

Forming ground beef into patties and stacked on a plate

Step 1 – Preheat the grill or stovetop griddle to medium-high heat. Divide 1 pound of ground beef into four equal portions and form into patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Grilled burger patties topped with slice cheese on a plate

Step 2 – Grill the burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness, or until they reach your preferred level of doneness. Top with a slice of cheese.

Placing burger patties on bottom bun and topping with chili

Step 3 – Place the grilled burger with melted cheese on the bottom bun. Spoon a generous amount of the prepared chili over each burger.

Topping chili cheese burger with cheese dip and crispy onions

Step 4 – Drizzle each with 1 tablespoon of Queso cheese dip. Top with crispy onion strings. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

  • Chili Consistency – The chili should be thick enough to spoon onto the burgers without making the bun too soggy. If the chili is too thin after cooking, let it simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes to reduce and thicken.
  • Cooking Chili – Cook the chili in a large pot of a Dutch Oven. Allow the chili to simmer for about 20 minutes.
  • Cooking Burgers – We love the smoky flavor that the grill gives the juicy burgers. But you can also cook the burgers on a large skillet.
Chili cheese burger on a plate

Serving Suggestions

Grilling burgers is the perfect weeknight meal or to feed a crowd. We like to set out different burger toppings so everyone can top their chili cheeseburger with what they prefer.

Burger Toppings

Make sure to add your favorite side dishes to complete this meal. You can easily make French Fries, potato chips, or a side of grilled vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Ahead of Time?

You can easily prepare the chili ahead of time and then reheat when ready to make your burgers. But they are best served immediately after making your chili cheeseburger.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers of the chili cheeseburger separately so they will last longer. Store in leftover containers for up to 4 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftovers in the microwave until heated thoroughly. If you have a lot of chili leftover, reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan.

Chili cheese burger on a plate

More Easy Burger Recipes

If you make this Chili Cheese Burger Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you.

Chili Cheese Burger

5 from 1 vote
Take your grilled burger to the next level with this Chili Cheese Burger. Juicy burger is topped with cheese, chili and crispy onions for a delicious burger recipe.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 857

Ingredients

For the Chili:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 14 oz. Diced tomatoes
  • 6 oz. tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Burgers:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 4 Tablespoons Queso cheese dip
  • 1/2 cup crispy onion strings
  • 4 hamburger buns
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Instructions

For the Chili:

  • In a large pot, cook 1 pound of ground beef over medium heat until browned. Break the meat apart with a spatula as it cooks.
  • Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  • Stir in the diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.
  • Add the beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the chili cook for about 20-25
  • minutes, stirring occasionally. The chili should thicken as it cooks.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set aside.

For the Burgers:

  • Preheat the grill or stovetop griddle to medium-high heat.
  • Divide 1 pound of ground beef into four equal portions and form into patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Grill the burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness, or until they reach your
  • preferred level of doneness.
  • In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on each burger to melt.
  • Lightly toast the hamburger buns on the grill or griddle.

To Assemble:

  • Place the grilled burger with melted cheese on the bottom bun.
  • Spoon a generous amount of the prepared chili over each burger.
  • Drizzle each with 1 tablespoon of Queso cheese dip.
  • Top with crispy onion strings.
  • Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

The chili should be thick enough to spoon onto the burgers without making the bun too soggy. If the chili is too thin after cooking, let it simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes to reduce and thicken.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 857kcal, Carbohydrates 40g, Protein 51g, Fat 55g, Saturated Fat 22g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 22g, Trans Fat 3g, Cholesterol 182mg, Sodium 1352mg, Potassium 1483mg, Fiber 6g, Sugar 13g, Vitamin A 2299IU, Vitamin C 23mg, Calcium 399mg, Iron 9mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Grill on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. From the Best Blackstone recipes, to grilling, and easy smoker recipes, together we are going to cook real food, with easy ingredients… for real families!

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