Let me tell you this Doritos Nacho Burger is the ultimate cheesy, crunchy, juicy dream in a bun. Imagine crushed tangy cheese Doritos mixed right into your burger patty. Then add melty cheddar, gherkins, lettuce, and a spicy, gooey cheese sauce. It’s like nachos and a burger had the best food baby ever. I love making these on a weekend when I want to feel like I’m at a fun diner but in my own kitchen.
Method
Make the Burger Patties
Start by preparing your burger mix. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 500g of beef mince with 80g of crushed Doritos (Tangy Cheese flavor). The Doritos add both crunch and bold flavor right into the meat. Add 1 teaspoon of onion granules, ½ teaspoon of garlic granules, ½ teaspoon of ground paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until the spices and crushed chips are evenly spread through the mince. Once mixed, divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a burger patty, pressing them firmly so they stay together while cooking. If you have a burger press, it helps make them uniform, but hands work just fine too.
Cook the Patties
Heat a frying pan or grill over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, place the patties in the pan and let them sear on one side for about 4–5 minutes without moving them. This helps develop a golden crust. Flip the patties gently and cook for another 4–5 minutes, or until they are cooked through and no longer pink inside. About a minute before the patties are done, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each one and let it melt slightly. Then, remove the patties from the heat and set them aside to rest.
Make the Cheese Sauce
While the burgers are resting, prepare the cheese sauce. In a small saucepan over low heat, add 1 tablespoon of plain flour and just a splash of the 200ml semi-skimmed milk. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk until smooth this helps prevent lumps later. Slowly pour in the remaining milk while continuing to stir. Once the mixture starts to warm and slightly thicken, add 40g of grated cheese (a mix of mozzarella and cheddar works best). Stir in 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, a pinch of garlic granules, and salt and pepper to taste. Keep stirring on low heat until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Don’t let it boil gentle heat keeps it from splitting.
Toast the Buns and Prep the Toppings
Now get your toppings and buns ready. Slice your brioche burger buns in half and lightly toast them in a dry pan or under the grill until golden brown. This adds flavor and helps the buns stay firm when you add the sauce later. Rinse the lettuce leaves and pat them dry. Slice the brown onion into thin rounds and prepare 70g of gherkins, either whole or sliced, depending on your preference. Having everything ready at this point makes burger assembly super quick.
Build the Burgers
Time to bring it all together. Start by placing a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Then, place your cheesy burger patty on top of the lettuce. Spoon a generous amount of the hot, spicy cheese sauce over the patty so it drips down the sides. Add a few onion rings and sliced gherkins for extra crunch and tang. Finish by placing the top half of the bun on top. Serve immediately while everything is warm and melty.
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Frying pan or grill
- Small saucepan
- Wooden spoon or whisk
- Spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Burger press (optional but helpful)
Doritos Nacho Burgers
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes15
minutes35
minutesIngredients
For the Burgers
500g beef mince (12% fat)
80g crushed Doritos (Tangy Cheese flavor)
1 tsp onion granules
½ tsp garlic granules
½ tsp ground paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
60g cheddar cheese, sliced
4 lettuce leaves
4 brioche burger buns
70g sliced gherkins
1 brown onion, sliced
For the Cheese Sauce
200 ml semi-skimmed milk
1 tbsp plain flour
40g grated cheese mix (mozzarella and cheddar)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
Pinch of garlic granules
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat a frying pan or grill over medium-high heat. Cook each patty for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Add a slice of cheddar on each one near the end so it gets nice and melty.
- In a big bowl, mix the beef mince with the crushed Doritos, onion granules, garlic granules, paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to combine everything well. Divide the mix into 4 equal parts and shape into patties. Press them firm so they don’t fall apart.
- In a small saucepan, add the flour and a splash of milk. Stir it until smooth, then slowly add the rest of the milk while stirring. Cook over low heat, and when it starts to thicken, add the grated cheese, cayenne, garlic granules, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until it’s smooth and creamy.
- While the patties rest, slice the buns and toast them lightly. Wash the lettuce, slice the onion, and get your gherkins ready.
- Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom bun, add your burger patty, spoon over some hot cheese sauce, add onions and gherkins, and top with the bun lid.
Notes
- Don’t overwork the burger mix or the patties can turn tough.
- Make sure the cheese sauce doesn’t boil or it might split gentle heat is key.
- Let the patties rest a minute before building the burgers so they stay juicy.
- Toasting the buns helps them hold up to the cheesy sauce and toppings no soggy bottoms!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with curly fries, nachos, or even sweet potato wedges.
- A side of crunchy slaw or corn on the cob works great.
- Want more heat? Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- For a full “nacho night” twist, crumble more Doritos on top before serving.
Fun Fact
Doritos were actually invented in a Disneyland restaurant in the 1960s. Mixing them into a burger? That’s just modern magic.
Conclusion
These Doritos Nacho Burgers are everything I love in one bite crispy, cheesy, and full of flavor. They’re super fun to make and even more fun to eat. Next time you’re craving something bold and different, give this burger a go. Trust me, it’s not your average cheeseburger it’s a full-on flavor party.
