Pan-Seared Beef Burger with Spicy Taco Slaw

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

A juicy pan-seared beef burger topped with a vibrant, crunchy spicy taco slaw for a flavor-packed meal. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 27 minutes pairs ground beef, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 slices cheddar cheese slices
• 4 burger buns
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 small, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, mixing gently to combine without overworking the meat.
2. Step 2: Form the beef into four 4-inch patties about 3/4-inch thick. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 4 minutes on the first side until browned, then flip and cook 3 minutes more. Place 4 cheddar cheese slices on each patty, cover skillet, and cook 1-2 minutes until cheese melts.
3. Step 3: While burgers cook, in a separate bowl, mix 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1 small finely chopped jalapeño, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin until smooth. Pour this dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat evenly.
5. Step 5: Toast 4 burger buns lightly in the skillet with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil until golden, about 1 minute per side.
6. Step 6: Assemble burgers by placing each cheese-topped patty on the bottom bun, topping with 1/4 of the spicy taco slaw, then covering with the top bun. Serve immediately.