A Spanish spin on your classic burger featuring chorizo, Manchego cheese and a zesty Romesco sauce.
By Kara and Marni Powers
While living in Madrid, it was always entertaining to frequent the many fruterias, verdulerias and carnicerias for specific ingredients. Spanish markets abound with traditional groceries that define the unique, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Like in any city, it’s exciting and important to work on improving your accent while bonding with the local merchants. We often became “regulars” at many shops abroad while purchasing the freshest catch of the day, picking out olives, or sampling salty cured meat. Back in the US, we use many Spanish staples namely, chorizo, Manchego cheese and roasted peppers, in our own cooking and entertaining. 
To add a Spanish spin to a BBQ, we created a burger featuring these three key ingredients. We add a smoky intensity to a classic Angus beef burger with the addition of finely chopped chorizo. For toppings, we sprinkle a layer of sharp Manchego cheese and substitute classic ketchup for a staple in Catalan cooking, Romesco Sauce. This harmonious pesto of roasted red peppers, spices, and olive oil can be used in many ways to liven a dish.
PrintSpanish-Style Chorizo and Romesco Burgers with Manchego Cheese
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
A Spanish spin on your classic burger featuring chorizo, Manchego cheese and a zesty Romesco sauce.
Ingredients
Romesco Sauce
- 4 roasted red peppers, skins removed, chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons water
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 pound chorizo, outer casings removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup shredded Manchego cheese
- 4 fresh rolls (we used Brioche) toasted, if desired
Instructions
Romesco Sauce
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. It should have the consistency of a thick pesto. If too chunky, add more water.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Place the chorizo in a food processor and process until finely chopped and crumbly.
- Transfer to a large bowl with the ground beef and loosely mix together with your hands.
- Form the mixture into 4 (1-inch) thick patties and sprinkle each side with salt and pepper.
- With your thumb, make a small indentation in the center of each burger, this will allow for even cooking.
- Grill the burgers to desired doneness, approximately 5 minutes and then flip over for another 4 minutes for medium.
- Divide the shredded Manchego cheese among the patties and cook for 1 minute longer until the cheese melts.
- To assemble, place the Manchego-covered chorizo patties atop the bottom rolls with a generous dollop of the Romesco on top.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
Super idea and Romesco is a wonderful sub for ketchup. Thanks for your contribution. Another lovely Spanish Cheese, would be San Simón Da Costa, a smoked semi hard cow variety from the Designation of Origin, Villalba, Lugo, Galicia and / or ewe smoked Idizabal, from Vitoria, in Pais Vasco.
Happy Holidays,
Margaux Cintrano.