Fresh & Flavorful: The Ultimate Zesty Ranchero Burger Platter

Ready to impress your friends at your next BBQ or tailgate party? This Zesty Ranchero Burger Platter is a fun twist on the classic burger!

With a fresh, flavorful salsa and crispy chips, it’s the perfect dish for picnics, tailgates, or any celebration. Get ready for a crowd-pleasing platter that’s loaded with bold flavors!

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe:

Prep time: 20 minutes (plus at least 1 hr. for salsa to marry flavors)
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6

Ranchero Salsa Fresca Ingredients:

3 medium tomatoes, seeded and roughly chopped*
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 large yellow, orange or green pepper, chopped
1/2 c. sliced green onions (5)
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
1 finely chopped jalapeño, seeds removed**
1 large fresh lime, juiced
1 T. olive oil
1/4 t. salt

Hamburger Ingredients:

1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
½ t. dried oregano
½ t. cumin
Kosher salt, to taste
Black Pepper, to taste

To Plate & Serve:

1 large bag corn tortilla chips, any color
1 medium head iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced
6 T. Sour cream
Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

Step-by-step Guide:

1 – In a non-reactive medium bowl, combine all salsa ingredients. Chill at least one hour. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

2 – Mix ground beef, onion, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper, to taste.

3 – Shape into 6 ½” thick round patties.

4 – Grill or broil 5-7 minutes on each side or until cooked to desired doneness.

5 – When ready to serve, arrange a layer of tortilla chips in the middle of each serving plate.

6 – Top with a layer of Ranchero Salsa Fresca. Add a layer of lettuce slightly larger than the size of your burger.

7 – Add the burger to the center of the plate. Top with sour cream. Garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!

Pro Tips for Success:

Layer for Crunch: For extra crunch and flavor, try adding some crispy bacon bits to the top of the burger or sprinkle over the chips before serving. It’s an easy upgrade!
Customize the Spice: If you like it hotter, try adding extra jalapeños or even a habanero chili for a fiery kick!
Make it Vegetarian: For a meat-free version, substitute the ground beef with a plant-based burger or grilled portobello mushrooms.