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    Home » Recipes » Meal Recipes

    Easy Mexican Meatloaf Burgers

    Published: May 9, 2018 · Modified: Jan 3, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 12 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    a pinterest collage photo of the meatloaf burgers

    These juicy Gluten Free Mexican Meatloaf Burgers are flavor-packed moist burgers that will make any burger lover happy!! Crushed tortilla chips make the perfect meatloaf patties!

    If you love easy dinner recipes, don't forget to check out all of the delicious gluten free dinner recipes on my site.

    a meatloaf burger on a cutting board with a knife stabbing into it
    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe is great:
    • What you need to make these:
    • Recipe step by step directions:
    • Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
    • Topping ideas:
    • More Gluten Free Dinner Recipes:
    • Tools:
    • Recipe
    • Community

    I am so excited to share my newest recipe with you. You will never say meatloaf is boring again!! This homemade meatloaf burgers recipe is absolutely delicious. It is naturally gluten free!

    To add some flavor, I added Mexican seasonings to the meatloaf and topped it with cheese, peppers, and fresh cilantro. Any way you dish it up, this meatloaf with salsa is a family favorite!!

    Why this recipe is great:

    I am in love with this new idea for burgers because you don't need any expensive fancy gluten free panko or bread crumbs. All you need is corn chips...and they can even be stale!

    Kids love smushing the corn chips and it gets them helping in the kitchen. This meatloaf makes enough burgers that you can even freeze some burgers for another time!

    Well, let's get started on making this Mexican meatloaf recipe because it is going to change your world. Meatloaf isn't just for dumping on a plate. It is time to take meatloaf up a notch!!

    What you need to make these:

    meatloaf burgers ingredients
    • Ground beef - You can also use ground turkey, chicken, lamb, pork, or bison if you prefer
    • Tortilla chips - Please check the ingredients to make sure your chips are gluten free. A few companies add flour so it is a good habit to always read the labels.
    • Salsa - Use mild or spicy. Buy the brand you like best because most are gluten free.
    • Cheddar cheese - Either sharp or mild cheese taste delicious in this recipe.
    • Pasilla peppers - also known as padrone peppers, these are very mild. You can use green bell peppers if you want a very mild pepper.

    Recipe step by step directions:

    corn chips, leeks, cheese and green pepper in a bowl

    Step 1: Add crushed corn tortilla chips, sliced leeks (or onions), spices, shredded cheese, and chopped pasilla peppers in a bowl.

    ground beef added to meatloaf ingredients

    Step 2: Add the ground beef and mix well. I find the seasonings blend best when you use your hands to really mix this together.

    Meatloaf in a pan ready to bake.

    Step 3: Add the meatloaf mixture to a pan and spread it out. Top with salsa and shredded cheese. Bake at 375º F for 30-40 minutes until the meatloaf is done. Actual bake time will vary depending on the size dish you bake the meatloaf in.

    I bake this meatloaf recipe in a big 9x13 casserole dish. This makes it easy to cut up into pieces for these Mexican meatloaf burgers. Mr. Fearless Dining is watching carbs, so he enjoys this Mexican meatloaf burger without a bun.

    Step 4: Slice up your meatloaf and add it to a gluten free bun. Top with fresh cilantro, more cheese, and more sliced pasilla peppers.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:

    How do you know when the meatloaf is done baking?

    Your meatloaf is done baking when it has an internal temperature of 165º F. Use a digital meat thermometer to measure this temperature.

    How do you freeze the extras?

    To freeze the extra meatloaf burgers, cut the cooled meatloaf into burgers. Place into a freezer safe container or bag and freeze.

    How long will these keep?

    These burgers will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.

    Topping ideas:

    • Tomatoes
    • Lettuce
    • Tortilla chips (fun right?)
    • A slice of cheddar cheese
    • Guacamole

    If you love meatloaf, you will want to try this Gluten Free Turkey Meatloaf or this BBQ Ground Turkey Quaker Oats Meatloaf (they finally make certified gluten free oats!)

    a slice of meatloaf on a plate

    More Gluten Free Dinner Recipes:

    • Moist Gluten Free Ground Chicken Burgers
    • BBQ Gluten Free Quaker Oats Meatloaf Recipe
    • Grilled Chicken Filet Burger
    • Gluten Free Meatball Subs

    Tools:

    1. A 9x13 baking dish.
    2. A non-slip mixing bowl to mix the meat and ingredients in. (I hate when the bowl slides around on the counter!)

    Recipe

    a meatloaf burger on a cutting board with a knife stabbing into it

    Southwestern Meatloaf Burger

    Sandi Gaertner
    An easy Mexican Meatloaf recipe that can be used to make Southwestern Meatloaf Burgers.
    5 from 11 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Gluten Free Dinner Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 322 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pounds ground beef * see note
    • ½ cup cheddar cheese
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup pasilla peppers chopped
    • 1 cup tortilla chips crushed
    • ½ cup salsa
    • ⅓ cup leek or onion
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    Burger Toppings

    • 2 tablespoons cilantro
    • ¼ cup pasilla pepper slices

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
    • In a large bowl, add all ingredients (the first 9 ingredients).
    • Mix well. Add to a 9x13 baking pan.
    • Top with more shredded cheese and bake for 35 minutes or until done. Depending on the size of your dish it may cook slower or faster.
    • Assemble as a burger with fresh cilantro and pasilla pepper slices. You can add more salsa on top if you like.

    Notes

    1. Feel free to use ground beef, lamb, pork, chicken, or turkey in this meatloaf burgers recipe.
    2. I like to use gluten free ciabatta buns by Schar. Any gluten free hamburger bun will also work well.
    3. Pasilla peppers, aka padrone peppers, are very mild. You can also use green bell peppers.
    4. These burgers will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 19gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 359mgPotassium: 330mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 211IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!
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    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy

      October 03, 2021 at 3:40 pm

      Are the Padilla or padrone peppers the same as poblano? When I try to search that’s what comes up. I can’t find Padilla or padrone.

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        October 04, 2021 at 9:40 am

        Padron peppers are pretty small and are harder to find year-round. Poblano has a very similar flavor so I would recommend using that. A pasilla is a dried poblano.

        Reply
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