Smashburger with Roasted Jalapeño Aioli

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

A juicy, seared smashburger topped with creamy roasted jalapeño aioli and crisp lettuce for a flavorful twist on a classic favorite. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 25 minutes blends ground beef (80/20), salt, black pepper into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 (80/20)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 burger buns
• 4 romaine lettuce leaves
• 4 pepper jack cheese slices
• 2 medium jalapeño peppers
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp lime juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice 2 medium jalapeño peppers in half lengthwise, remove seeds, and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes until skins are blistered and peppers are soft, then let cool.
2. Step 2: Blend the roasted jalapeños with 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbsp lime juice until smooth; set aside this spicy aioli.
3. Step 3: Divide 1 lb ground beef into 4 equal portions and loosely form into balls; season each with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place each beef ball in the skillet and smash down firmly with a spatula to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges are crispy and browned.
5. Step 5: Flip burgers, place 1 slice of pepper jack cheese on each, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and burgers reach medium doneness.
6. Step 6: Toast 4 burger buns face down in the skillet for 1 minute until golden and warm.
7. Step 7: Assemble burgers by spreading 1 tbsp roasted jalapeño aioli on each bun bottom, topping with smashed burger patties, and adding 1 romaine lettuce leaf before closing with bun tops.