Cowboy Candy

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Cowboy candy is a freakin' delicious way to turn fresh jalapeño peppers into a savory, sweet treat that is perfect for topping burgers.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1 15

Total Time1 30

Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Author: Derek Wolf

Ingredients

Cowboy Candy:

1 lb Jalapeños thinly sliced
1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
3 cups Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tsp Celery Seed
1.5 tsp Granulated Garlic
1 tsp Cayenne Powder

Burger:

1 lbs Ground Beef
½ lb Sliced Bacon
6-8 Sliced Cheese
1/4 cup Salt/Pepper/Garlic
Mayonnaise as needed
Burger Buns

Baked Beans:

16 oz cans Bush’s Original Baked Beans
1/2 cup Cowboy Candy
1/4 cup Chopped Bacon

Instructions

Cowboy Candy:

Add a cast iron skillet to medium heat.
Place all the ingredients (outside the jalapenos) to the skillet and bring to a small boil.
Add the jalapenos to the rolling boil for 2-3 minutes, then pull off and set aside.
Boil the sugar sauce for 5-6 more minutes, then pull off and add everything (boiled sugar sauce and jalapeños) to a mason jar.
Place in the fridge to cool for at least 2-3 hours but ideally 3-4 days.

Burger & Baked Beans:

Heat your grill at high heat (around 400F) for direct cooking. Add a cast iron to the fire to preheat.
Grab a handful of ground beef and gently roll it into a ball. Repeat this for 6-8 balls or until you’re out of meat.
Get your skillet ripping hot (so it's gently smoking).
Add a burger ball to the skillet. Place a piece of parchment over one ball and then firmly press with the spatula until the burger is “smashed” on the skillet.
Season the patty with salt, pepper and garlic. Let cook for another 1-1.5 minutes.
Carefully flip the burger patty over and then season the new side.
Top with a slice of cheese and let melt for 1-2 minutes. Once melted, pull off and rest.
Repeat for the rest of your patties.
Add a cast iron skillet or plancha over the flames to heat and add some sliced bacon to the cold skillet.
Cook them bacon till crispy, then glaze with a little of the cowboy candy sugar sauce. Pull off and keep warm.
Add another skillet with a can of Bush’s Baked Beans. Bring to a full simmer, then pull off and top with chopped bacon and cowboy candy.
Serve your burgers on toasted buns with mayonnaise, double stacked patties, candied bacon, cowboy candy and Bush’s Baked Beans on the side. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

How to Cut a Jalapeño

Have you ever sliced spicy jalapeños, forgot and then rubbed your eyes? It’s brutal! The easiest way to prevent this experience is to wear disposable gloves while you slice peppers. Make sure you wash your hands well afterward, along with your cutting board and the knife you used to cut the spicy pepper. If you do get some capsaicin — the compound in hot peppers like our jalapeños, banana peppers and serrano peppers that gives them that flavorful kick — on your hands and it causes a burning sensation, you can use dish soap, rubbing alcohol or even yogurt to cool things down.

Nutrition