By Johnson 
This homemade version of the Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger is simply the best with barbecue sauce, cheddar, jalapeño, bacon and crispy onion strings.
Several years ago I participated in a Burger Month where a lot of food bloggers devised a burger to be shared with our readers and other bloggers. My contribution to the event was this Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger. It’s been a few years, this post was lost in oblivion and a recent trip to Smashburger reminded me of how much I loved this burger; time to redo and renew!
The first year of Burger Month all those years ago I made the most amazing Lamb and Goat Cheese Burgers with Cabernet Barbecue Sauce and knew it would be tough to top. Still, I had a recipe in mind but everything changed when I stopped by a new Smashburger near me and tried the Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger. Oh my YUM! I knew right away my plans would change and I would have to recreate this for the WORLD!
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Smashburger originated in Denver and we were lucky to have one put in close to us at my old house. While I don’t eat out often I have to admit that once I visited there that I was smitten. Burgers similar to the ones from my old haunt Steak n’ Shake in St. Louis where I grew up, plus fried onions rings that were perfect?
I knew I would be adding it to my short list of places to go…and then I moved. So when I spied one while out shopping when I first moved here, I had no control and my car just happened to head in that direction. It knew.
Featured right next to the cash register was a poster for the Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger. Funny how my first restaurant visit when I moved to Denver saw me removing jalapeño peppers from the meal and now every day is opposite day; I get excited about a burger with a bit of heat.
The fellow behind the cash register thought it pretty perfect and that sealed the deal for me. It was everything I loved. A super thin quick cooked burger with barbecue sauce, cheese, bacon, jalapeño and then stacked with their onion rings. What is there NOT to love?
Today it’s no longer a featured item, it’s on the menu but it’s lacking the one thing that was unique that I loved…the fried onion rings! Sure I suppose I could have ordered onion rings on the side…but wait, NO. No such thing on the menu anymore…it has been awhile! I enjoyed their version but missed those onion rings so knew it was time to make this again…and take new photos. I did it all for you. 🙂
I made them last week and had a neighbor over for dinner to ‘taste test’ my Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger. My friend Amy is out of town and I figured her husband Casey and their son Lee could use a home cooked meal. I could only prepare one burger at a time and I considered it some measure of success that Casey almost completed his double burger before I was done with Lee’s portion!
When I couldn’t find any buns that were pretty enough for prime time, I made my own hamburger buns and the boys noticed; a great burger bun does make a difference! You do not have to make your own but it sure was fun. And they sure are good. Smashburger makes two different kinds of burgers with jalapeño now and one has a bun with jalapeno pieces in it. I didn’t try it but truth? Seems unnecessary, maybe jalapeno overkill?
As luck would have it, I mentioned to my server that I was going to blog about a Smashburger and I was asked if I would like a behind the scenes tour. Of course…such fun to get any and all secrets! There is a technique to making a Smashburger that is best explained in this video from one of the owners.
While I used two different size cast iron skillets to cook and ‘smash,’ what’s most important is the method. Smash, count to ten. cook another two minutes and then flip your burger and cook for one more minute.
I found that the ONLY way to get cheese melted was to immediately cover the burger with a small bowl once I flipped it; this thing goes quick!
I’m just featuring a single but if you know something with a huge appetite, just make two patties with cheese and stack them with the rest of the ingredients.
These are a bit of work, mostly the fried onions…not feeling it? Substitute some of those canned fried onions for a quicker Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger! Love this one? Next try my Jalapeño Patty Melt; it’s good too!
Our Favorite Beef Burgers
Our Favorites…but not Beef!
Veggie Burgers
Homemade Hamburger Buns
PIN IT! ‘Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger’
Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger
Recreated from Smashburger, this is a lot like their regular burger but with jalapeno and fried onion rings. If you like that addition of spicy, you’ll love this!
- 5 ounces ground beef
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- salt, pepper, and garlic powder to season
- 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce use your favorite brand
- 3 tablespoons cheddar cheese shredded and set out to come to room temperature
- 2 bacon strips fried
- 1 Jalapeno sliced and sauteed briefly in bacon drippings
- ¼ cup crispy onion strings See Notes (or used canned fried onion rings)
Form beef into round ball. Brush melted butter on griddle or cast iron skillet and put the meat in the center.
Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the burger and immediate press as hard as possible with a second small skillet or pan to flatten the meat; hold for 10 seconds.
Upon removing the parchment you should see the fat bubbling up all over the burger. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder; cook for another two minutes and then flip over.
Quickly spread some barbecue sauce on the burger, top with the cheese and cover with a heat safe bowl to help melt the cheese. Cook for just ONE minute.
Top burger in order with sauteed jalapeno slices, bacon, and fried onion rings.
I have made and loved the Fried Onion Strings from The Pioneer Woman. I make one batch of her recipe and it was enough for generous amounts on 4 large burgers with a few to munch on too. Perfect! Here is the link to her printable recipe:
Nutrition Facts
Smashburger Spicy Cowboy Burger
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.