Stuffed Beef Burgers

3 strips smoked bacon, cooked until crisp then cut into ¼-inch pieces

2 ounces small pepperoni slices, cut into ¼-inch pieces

One 2-ounce block pepper jack cheese, grated (may substitute smoked Gouda)

3 canned chipotle peppers in adobo (sauce), coarsely chopped, plus 2 tablespoons of the adobo

3 pounds ground chuck, preferably an 80-20 blend

½ cup crispy fried onions, such as French's brand

Olive oil cooking spray

9 hamburger buns, for serving

Flaky sea salt or kosher salt, for serving

Combine the bacon, pepperoni, grated cheese, chopped chipotle peppers and their adobo in a mixing bowl, stirring until well blended. This is your burger filling.

Line your countertop with plastic wrap or parchment paper.

Combine the ground beef and crispy fried onions in a mixing bowl; use your clean hands to gently work the onions into the meat. Divide that mixture into 9 equal portions (about 5.5 ounces per). Reserve about one-quarter of each portion for a burger "lid;" shape the rest of the meat into a shallow round saucer that's about 3½ inches wide and ¾ of an inch tall.

Divide the filling mixture evenly among the ground beef saucers, gently packing it in. Flatten each of those reserved beef-onion portions into a lid that covers the filling. Use your fingers to pinch and seal the lid, working your way around so there is no visible seam. As you work, place each stuffed burger on the plastic wrap or parchment.

At this point, the burgers can be wrapped individually and refrigerated for a day or two, or frozen for up to 3 months (the individually wrapped burgers gathered in a freezer-safe zip-top bag).

When you're ready to cook, preheat the grill: If using a gas grill, preheat to medium-high (about 375 degrees). If using a charcoal grill, light the charcoal or wood briquettes; when the briquettes are ready, distribute them evenly under the cooking area for direct heat. For a medium-hot fire, you should be able to hold your hand about 6 inches above the coals for about 4 to 5 seconds.

Grease each burger by lightly spraying it all over with olive oil cooking spray. Arrange the burgers on the grill grate; close the lid and cook for about 5 minutes on the first side, then use a metal spatula to turn them over; they should be sizzling and releasing orange-colored juices in spots. Close the lid and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on the second sides, or until the beef is no longer pink inside and you can tell that the cheese has melted (insert the tip of a knife to help you discern this).

Transfer to bottom buns and season each burger lightly with salt. Top with top buns and let sit for 5 to 7 minutes before serving.

Serves 9

Nutrition | Calories: 510; Total Fat: 29 g; Saturated Fat: 11 g; Cholesterol: 115 mg; Sodium: 790 mg; Total Carbohydrates: 24 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Sugars: 3 g; Protein: 35 g.

From Washington Post deputy Food editor and recipes editor Bonnie S. Benwick.