Taco Burgers with Green Chili Salsa

What did you do this weekend?

We spent the weekend camping near Lake Erie with friends of ours. It was a wonderfully relaxing time, but it had been quite a while since we'd actually tent camped, and we were more than a little unprepared.

The good thing is, we learned, and next time we're out enjoying mother nature we'll be ready!

So without further ado, here are our 7 tips for surviving a weekend of tent camping.

1. Bring antibacterial. Always.
2. Spray sunscreen is far superior to the lotion kind.
3. Pack lawn chairs. Picnic table benches are not comfortable and you can't wrap a picnic table about a bonfire, soooo definitely not ideal.
4. Marshmallows melt into one gigantic, sticky glob when left out in the 80 degree sun. Who woulda thought?
5. We're not 18 anymore. It's time to buy an air mattress. This back can't do the whole sleeping-on-the-ground thing anymore.
6. Zyrtec. Don't forget it.
7. Lakes aren't clean and may or may not contain dead fish that cause stubbed toes. Act accordingly.

So you're probably wondering about the burger. It's everything you love about a taco just with a fancy new delivery system. Fresh and easy, they're perfect for a family cookout or, perhaps, a weekend camping trip. Whether you choose to make these over a grill or a blazing fire, these are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Taco Burgers with Green Chili Salsa
Serves 3 people
Recipe by bakeeatrepeat.blogspot.com

For the burgers:

1 lb. ground beef

1 1/2 tsp. taco seasoning

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Pinch cayenne pepper

3 slices pepper jack cheese

3 buns of your choice

For the Green Chili Salsa:

1 small can green chilies

1 1/2 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 roma tomato, chopped

1/4 cup packed cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup diced sweet onion

Salt

Pepper

Directions:

1. To make the burgers combine ground beef, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl. Use your fingers to combine all ingredients together. Shape meat mixture into 3 patties. Place on prepared grill and grill for about 5 minutes on the first side. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until cooked to your liking. To retain juice and get a nice sear, only flip the burgers once and do not squish or pat them down with your spatula. 

2. Meanwhile, prepare the green chili salsa. In a small bowl, combine chilies, lime juice tomato, cilantro, and sweet onion. Season generously with salt and pepper and mix everything together. 

3. To serve, place finished burgers on the bun and top with pepper jack cheese and a few spoonfuls of green chili salsa.