Grilled green chile cheeseburgers for 8: roasted Hatch-style green chiles, charred at home or straight from a can, spooned over burgers and melted under a slice of cheese on the grill at the lot. About 25 minutes at the lot, and at Empower Field at Mile High barbecue grills are allowed, just not where they could hurt people or damage property.
Feeds: 8 · Hands-on: about 45 min · Total: about 45 min at home (10 min with canned chiles), plus about 25 min at the lot
Home gear: a sheet pan, a bowl with a lid or a zip bag for steaming the chiles, and parchment
Pack for the lot
- Raw patties, sealed, at the bottom of the cooler
- Green chile, in a covered foil pan
- Cheese, onion, tomato and lettuce
- Buns and mustard, out of the cooler
- Grill and fuel
- 2 spatulas: 1 for raw, 1 for cooked
- Instant-read thermometer
- A clean plate or foil pan for cooked burgers
- Heat-proof gloves
- An alarm set for 60 minutes before kickoff
Lot notes
- The Empower Field at Mile High rule: the guide's Grills row says "Allowed, but never where they could hurt people or damage property. No open-flame fires of any kind." Barbecue grills are allowed, just not where they could hurt people or damage property, so set the grill clear of the crowd and the cars.
- The 60-minute rule: every tailgate has to wrap 60 minutes before kickoff with tents and tables down. Shut the grill off well before that so it has time to cool enough to pack.
- Raw meat: keep the raw patties sealed and use a separate spatula and plate for the cooked ones. Cooked burgers sit out no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F.
- Fuel: 8 burgers is about 15 minutes of grill time. Bring enough propane or charcoal for a second round.
- Cleanup: kegs and glass bottles are banned, so pack condiments in plastic. Charcoal stays in a metal can until it's out and cool.
Can you make green chile cheeseburgers ahead?
Yes. Roast and chop the chiles up to 3 days ahead, and shape the patties the night before. Both ride in the cooler, and the burgers cook fresh at the lot.
How do you keep burgers hot at a tailgate?
Grill them in rounds as people are ready to eat. If some have to wait, hold them in a covered foil pan on the cool side of the grill, at 140°F or above.
How much do you need for 20 people?
Make 2½ batches: 7½ lb of ground chuck, 25 fresh chiles or 7 to 8 cans, 20 slices of cheese and 20 buns. Grill them in rounds of 8 or 10, depending on the size of the grill.
Can you grill at Empower Field at Mile High?
Yes. Barbecue grills are allowed, just not where they could hurt people or damage property. Open-flame fires of any kind are banned.
What chiles can you use instead of Hatch?
Anaheim chiles are the closest fresh match, and Colorado's own Pueblo chiles usually run hotter. Canned diced green chiles or frozen roasted chiles work any time of year.