🍔 Grilled to perfection on the Weber Spirit Gas Grill

Finished butter burger on sesame bun with corn slaw and chips on wooden board. — Juicy butter burger topped with fresh corn slaw and served with a side of crispy chips for the perfect summer plate.

🔥 A Sweet-Spicy Weeknight Favorite on Any Grill

Summer grilling doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few bold ingredients and your favorite backyard grill, you can turn out meals that rival your favorite burger joint. These Honey Habanero Butter Burgers are a prime example: juicy, beefy patties packed with spicy‑sweet Banner Butter, grilled hot and fast on the Weber Spirit, and served with a fresh and vibrant honey corn slaw. They’re quick enough for a weeknight, but bold enough to wow guests at your next cookout.

This recipe also represents a shift in how I approach grilling. While Traeger smokers will always have a place in my cooking arsenal, I’m expanding to showcase how great food can come from any grill, including gas-powered setups like the Weber Spirit. That means more flexibility for you—and more flavor, no matter what you’re cooking on.

📸 Ingredient Prep: What You’ll Need

There’s beauty in simplicity when it comes to great burgers. For this recipe, start with high-quality ground beef—preferably 80/20 chuck—and combine it with Banner Butter’s Honey Habanero compound butter, which you’ll freeze and grate into the meat. We added seasoning using Alvin Cailan’s Everything SZN blend from Spiceology, and layered on creamy Havarti cheese for melt factor.

Buns matter, too—St. Pierre Brioche Sesame Buns added richness and a perfect structure to hold our stacked burgers. The slaw calls for fresh corn cut off the cob, cherry tomatoes, green onions, fresh herbs, and a touch of clover honey to tie it all together. It’s bright, colorful, and makes for a stunning plate.

Ingredients for making honey habanero butter burgers, including Banner Butter, beef, cheese, buns, and burger press. — All the core ingredients for flavor-packed honey habanero butter burgers, laid out and ready to go.

🍔 What Are Butter Burgers?

Butter burgers are a Midwestern classic, and Wisconsin is largely credited with their origin. Traditionally, these burgers feature a hefty smear of butter added on top of a cooked patty. That finishing touch melts into the burger, adding flavor and richness.

Our version levels things up by integrating the butter into the meat itself. This technique creates a juicier, more flavorful burger that self-bastes while cooking. And when you use a flavored butter like Banner’s Honey Habanero, you’re not just adding moisture—you’re layering in bold, sweet heat that hits with every bite.

🧈 Why Add Butter to a Burger Patty?

Butter inside a burger might sound indulgent—and it is—but it’s also a smart technique for improving texture and flavor. When cold butter is grated into ground beef and mixed gently, it distributes little pockets of richness throughout the meat. As the patty hits the grill, that butter melts slowly, infusing the beef with flavor and keeping it moist, even over high heat.

Using compound butter like Banner Butter’s Honey Habanero adds complexity you can’t get from seasoning alone. The sweetness of the honey tempers the heat of the habanero, giving you balance and punch all at once. Think of it as built-in sauce that melts from the inside out.

🥩 Choosing the Right Ground Beef (80/20 or 85/15)

Great burgers start with great beef, and the fat content you choose makes a big difference. For juicy results, look for either 80/20 or 85/15 ground chuck. These blends strike the right balance between leanness and richness. The fat helps carry flavor, adds moisture, and keeps the burger from drying out—especially important when you’re cooking over high heat.

While 85/15 works well if you prefer a slightly leaner option, 80/20 is the classic go-to for a reason. Anything leaner, like 90/10, tends to cook up dry and crumbly. If you can, have your butcher grind fresh chuck on the spot—it makes a noticeable difference in texture and taste.

Ground beef mixed with grated honey habanero butter in a glass bowl. — Gently combining grated frozen Banner Butter into ground beef adds moisture and flavor to every patty.

Formed raw burger patty with visible chunks of habanero butter on parchment paper. — Gently combining grated frozen Banner Butter into ground beef adds moisture and flavor to every patty.

🧊 How to Add Butter Inside the Burger Patty

Incorporating butter into your burger mix is easier than you think. Start by freezing your Honey Habanero Butter for about 30 to 45 minutes. Once it’s solid, use a cheese grater to shred it into small ribbons. These delicate strands will melt evenly as the patty cooks, helping the meat retain juiciness and flavor.

Mix the grated butter into the ground beef gently—use your hands, but avoid overworking the meat, which can result in a tough texture. A light touch is key. We added a sprinkle of Everything SZN for seasoning, though you could stick with just salt and pepper. The butter does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to flavor.

🛠️ Forming a Perfect Patty with a Press

Once your meat is mixed, it’s time to form the patties. We used a cast-iron burger press for consistency, which helps keep the cooking time even across all patties. Start by laying down a square of parchment paper on your work surface. Place a ball of beef mixture in the center, cover it with another square of parchment, and press down firmly.

Aim for patties about three-quarters of an inch thick. This gives the burgers enough heft to stay juicy, but not so thick that they’ll take forever to cook. Once pressed, keep the patties chilled until you’re ready to grill—this helps the butter stay cold until it hits the heat.

🔥 Cooking Honey Habanero Butter Burgers on the Weber Spirit Gas Grill

This was our first time breaking in the Weber Spirit gas grill for burgers, and it handled the job beautifully. The grill heats up quickly, maintains steady temperatures, and offers enough space to manage both direct and indirect zones. With porcelain-coated cast iron grates and a reliable ignition system, it’s ideal for weeknight cooks when you need speed without sacrificing quality.

One of the standout features of the Weber Spirit is its even heat distribution. This ensures your patties sear perfectly without burning or cooking unevenly. Add in side shelves and tool hooks, and it becomes a true backyard workhorse. Whether you’re searing steaks, grilling burgers, or charring veggies, the Spirit handles it all with ease.

Burger patties with deep grill marks cooking over flame on a gas grill. — Beautiful grill marks and bubbling juices—these burgers are ready to be crowned with cheese and slaw.

Two butter burgers with melted cheese cooking on a Weber Spirit grill over open flame. — Beautiful grill marks and bubbling juices—these burgers are ready to be crowned with cheese and slaw.

🍳 How to Cook Honey Habanero Butter Burgers on the Grill

Butter burgers need a hot, fast sear to lock in that internal butter and build a flavorful crust. Preheat your grill to medium-high—around 450°F—and place the patties directly over the heat. Let them sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side without pressing down, which helps keep the juices inside.

After searing, you can reduce the heat slightly or move the patties to an indirect zone to finish cooking. Internal temperature should read 135°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium, depending on your preference. In the final minute, add your cheese and close the lid to let it melt. Remove the patties from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before assembling.

🌽 Honey Corn Slaw: A Sweet and Herbaceous Topping

This honey corn slaw is everything a burger topping should be—crunchy, sweet, herby, and light. It complements the spicy richness of the butter burger without overpowering it. Using fresh corn cut off the cob gives it a natural sweetness and satisfying pop, while the cherry tomatoes add acidity and color.

We combined the corn and tomatoes with chopped green onion, fresh basil, and cilantro for brightness. A drizzle of clover honey and olive oil ties everything together, and a pinch of salt and pepper enhances the flavor. Toss the ingredients just before serving for best texture, and consider making extra—it’s excellent on tacos, grilled chicken, or even by the spoonful.

Fresh ingredients for honey corn slaw including corn, cherry tomatoes, herbs, and clover honey. — A fresh lineup of summer produce and honey ready to be turned into a crisp and sweet burger topping.

🍔 Final Assembly: Stack and Serve

Start by toasting your burger buns directly on the grill for about 30 seconds, just until they’re golden brown and slightly crisp. This adds both flavor and structure to the final build. Once your patties are rested and cheese is melted, it’s time to stack.

Place the bottom bun on your plate, followed by the cheese-topped patty. Add a generous spoonful of honey corn slaw, letting the juices run slightly over the sides. If you’re feeling extra, a dab of melted Honey Habanero Butter on the bun can take it to the next level. Top with the other half of the bun and serve with chips, grilled veggies, or a cold beer.

Toasted buns and burgers topped with cheese and corn slaw ready for final assembly. — Toasted buns, juicy patties, and vibrant slaw—just add the top and bite in.

🍽️ Other Burger Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re digging this flavor-packed burger, you’ll definitely want to try out a few more options from JewCanQue.com, where we’re always building on classic techniques with bold, modern flavors.

Each one can be made on a Traeger, Weber, or your favorite grill—we’re here for flexibility and flavor.

🔥 Final Thoughts

This recipe proves that you don’t need fancy equipment to make food that feels special. The combo of spicy-sweet compound butter and juicy ground beef makes these Honey Habanero Butter Burgers something truly memorable. Add in a fresh corn slaw, a toasted bun, and a gas grill like the Weber Spirit, and you’ve got a weeknight win—or the centerpiece of your next backyard bash.

I’m excited to keep showing you how to cook great food, whether you’re on a pellet grill, charcoal, or gas. Flavor has no boundaries—and neither should your grill.

Tried this recipe? Tag me @thisjewcanque and use #ButterBurgerChallenge on Instagram or TikTok. Show off your creation and inspire someone else to fire up their grill—whatever kind it may be.