Active Time

　　50 minutes

　　Total Time

　　1 hour

　　Anything grilled could be described as smoky, but our cover burger is a multi layered masterpiece thanks to chipotle chiles mingled with adobo, smoked paprika, and bacon. Seared avocado makes it almost too good to be true.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

　　1/2 cup mayonnaise

　　1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

　　2 tablespoons minced chipotle in adobo, including some sauce, divided

　　8 bacon slices

　　1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck (not lean)

　　2 teaspoons sweet smoked paprika

　　1 large red onion, cut into 4 (1/2-inch) thick rounds, each stuck with a wooden pick to keep it together

　　1 firm-ripe avocado, quartered lengthwise, peeled, and cut lengthwise into 1/3-inch thick slices

　　Olive oil for brushing on onion and avocado

　　4 hamburger buns, grilled or toasted

　　

Accompaniment:

lettuce; cilantro sprigs

　　

Special equipment:

instant-read thermometer

　　

Step 1

In a food processor or blender, purée mayonnaise, mustard, and 1 tablespoon chipotle; transfer to a bowl.

　　

Step 2

Cook bacon in batches in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp; transfer to paper towels to drain.

　　

Step 3

Gently mix beef with 1 tablespoon chipotle, paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt until combined. Form into 4 (4-inch) patties.

　　

Step 4

Prepare a grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas).

　　

Step 5

Meanwhile, brush both sides of onion rounds and avocado slices with olive oil.

　　

Step 6

Oil grill rack then grill onion rounds, turning over once, until slightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes total. Discard wooden picks.

　　

Step 7

Grill avocado slices, turning once, until grill marks appear, about 30 seconds on each side.

　　

Step 8

Grill patties, covered only if using a gas grill, until they reach 160°F on an instant-read thermometer, approximately 5 to 6 minutes on each side.

　　

Step 9

Put sauce on buns and make burgers with lettuce, avocado, bacon, onion, and cilantro.

　　Gourmet Grilling