Chipotle Chorizo Burgers with Maple Balsamic Sauce

Okay, everyone, you asked for it and you'll get it. But before we get to the Chipotle Chorizo Burgers, I've got something else I want to chat about.

I've been giddy over the number of people who have signed up for my newsletter, Paleo Bytes. If you don't know the story, here's the quick rundown:  I gave my readers the option of signing up for email subscriptions, but I wasn't planning on sending one out. I told myself that if I gained a certain number of subscribers, I would commit to sending out a newsletter.

A few months later, I checked my numbers, and what do you know - my "goal" (that I wasn't actively shooting for) was exceeded by 33%. Hot damn! Obviously I needed to think up a newsletter! See, I don't want to just bombard your email every time I post a new recipe. I never read those emails; they just get deleted. So, for my newsletter I wanted to send out fresh content that won't be posted here, on the blog. To me, there's got to be an incentive for opening up that email and reading it.

Well, apparently people like that idea. I've only sent out one newsletter...but my second will have 68% more readers!

At the same time, I've been entertaining the idea of starting a new post series here that's not entirely recipe-focused. These would be lifestyle-type posts, but would probably also focus heavily on the food I eat. It might feature things like recipes I'm working on, meals and snacks that are too simple for a recipe, products I love, or random musings about CrossFit and food and life in general.

Of course, these ideas also would work really well for my newsletter.

The reason I'm talking about all this now is I'm wondering if you, my reader, could tell me - what sort of fresh information would you like in a newsletter? What sort of things would you rather read about (more frequently) on the blog? Please let me know in the comments or on my social media! I would love to hear from my readers and better craft what I offer to what you're interested in. Even if this is your first time here, weigh in! It matters to me! I mean, I'm still going to do what I want, but you can help. 🙂

Okay, on to these Chipotle Chorizo Burgers with Maple Balsamic Sauce.

Doesn't that just sound awesome? Well, it was awesome. Spicy, but awesome.

It all started when I found a recipe for beef chorizo by Meatified. I knew I was going to make it immediately. Then, by a stroke of luck, The Freckled Foodie posted a picture of a chorizo burger on Instagram. I knew what had to happen in my life.

I made the chorizo, but modified it since I couldn't find the correct chili peppers. How did I modify it? With chipotle. So...I daresay I made it better than the original. But you know what? They're both probably awesome.

The burger patties themselves are crazy spicy, so I tried to counteract that with some fresh avocado and an egg. Then, I mixed up a creamy maple balsamic sauce and topped it all off. In short, my life is now complete, and you get to reap the benefits.

Chipotle Chorizo Burgers with Maple Balsamic Sauce

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 3-4 burgers 1x

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Burgers:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 Tb chipotle chili powder
• 1 Tb garlic powder
• ½ Tb ground cumin
• ½ Tb oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 Tb apple cider vinegar
• fresh avocados, sliced (½ per burger)
• eggs, fried (1 per burger)

Maple Balsamic Sauce

• 1 Tb Primal Kitchens Mayo or homemade mayo
• 1 tsp maple syrup (omit if you're on a Whole30 or 21DSD!)
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix all the seasonings for the burgers (save apple cider vinegar). Add the spice mix and the apple cider vinegar to the ground beef. Using your hands, mix everything together until the seasonings are fully incorporated with the beef. This is very spicy, so avoid touching your face/eyes!
2. Form burgers patties by splitting the ground beef into 3 or 4 balls (depending on how big you want your burgers) and flattening into circles.
3. Heat up a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add a couple Tb of your favorite fat (I usually use ghee), and add the patties. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side.
4. While the burgers are cooking, make the maple balsamic sauce. In a small bowl, mix all three ingredients until the sauce is smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. To serve, top burger patties with avocado slices and fried egg. Drizzle with maple balsamic sauce. Serve with kale chips, sweet potato fries, or plantain fries!

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Notes

If it's warm enough to grill where you are, go for it!

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 burger

Don't forget to answer in the comments: what sort of fresh information would you like in a newsletter? What sort of things would you rather read about (more frequently) on the blog?