Firecracker Rice Burger
45 minutes
American
4 burgers
A crispy twist on burger night—this Firecracker Rice Burger features golden Royal® Basmati rice buns, spiced patties, and bold chili mayo. Stacked with smashed avocado and your favorite toppings, it’s crunchy, savory, and seriously satisfying. Perfect for impressing guests or upgrading your weeknight dinner game.
Ingredients
For the buns
- Royal Basmati Rice, 2 cups cooked and cooled (from 1 cup dry)
- Sesame oil, 1 teaspoon
- Rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon
- Salt, ½ teaspoon
- Neutral oil, for frying
- Sesame seeds for topping
For the patties
- Ground beef or plant-based alternative, 1 pound
- Egg, 1
- Smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the chili mayo
- Mayonnaise, ¼ cup
- Sriracha or chili crisp, 1½ tablespoons
- Lime juice, 1 teaspoon
For the avocado smash
- Avocados, 2, ripe
- Lime juice, ½ lime
- Salt, pinch
Optional toppings
Pickles, red onions, thinly sliced tomatoes, bibb lettuce, jalapeños, scallions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, mix cooled basmati rice with sesame oil, rice vinegar, and salt. Use a ½ cup scoop or ramekin to form 8 rice patties on a parchment-lined tray. Flatten to 3–4 inches wide and ½-inch thick. Press sesame seeds on 4 of the buns. Chill in the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes.
- While the rice buns chill, mix ground meat with egg, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Shape into 4 thin burger patties, slightly smaller than the rice buns.
- In a nonstick skillet, heat neutral oil over medium-high. Pan-fry the chilled rice patties in batches, about 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
- Sear burger patties in the same skillet or on a grill pan, cooking 2–3 minutes per side until done to your liking. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sriracha or chili crisp, and lime juice. In another bowl, mash avocados with lime juice and salt.
- To assemble each burger, layer one crispy rice bun with chili mayo, smashed avocado, a burger patty, and any optional toppings. Top with the sesame-topped rice bun and serve immediately.
