A New Mexico standard: beef patty, melted cheese, fresh roasted green chile and bun. The state runs an official Green Chile Cheese Burger Trail; Santa Fe's flagship is at Santa Fe Bite.

The green chile cheeseburger emerged across roadside diners in 1950s and 60s New Mexico; Bobcat Bite, established 1953 just outside Santa Fe, made the canonical version, and former owners Bonnie and John Eckre carried the lineage into Santa Fe Bite when they opened in 2013. The state's official Green Chile Cheese Burger Trail launched in 2009 to formalise the road-trip pilgrimage.

Where to eat Green chile cheeseburger in Santa Fe

4 editor picks for Green chile cheeseburger in Santa Fe, ranked by editorial score. All Santa Fe signature dishes · Green chile cheeseburger across every city.

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Make it at home

Serves 225 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef chuck (80/20)
  • 1 cup fresh roasted and chopped Hatch green chile (or thawed from frozen)
  • 4 slices Monterey Jack or American cheese
  • 2 brioche or potato buns
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • Mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, red onion to garnish

Method

  1. Divide beef into two 8-oz patties; salt and pepper generously.
  2. Heat a cast-iron pan over high heat until smoking; add butter.
  3. Sear patties 3 minutes per side, pressing once.
  4. Top each with 1/2 cup green chile and 2 slices cheese; cover the pan to melt 30 seconds.
  5. Toast buns in the same pan with butter.
  6. Assemble: bun, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, patty with chile, onion, top bun. Serve immediately.

Editor tip. Use real roasted Hatch green chile, frozen if not in season; jarred or canned is a different dish.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy.