Barbecue Bacon Burger

The recipe Saturday was BBQ bacon burgers on the small Weber. Cody manned the grill. Burgers seasoned and grilled, brushed with BBQ sauce, topped with crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, on toasted buns.

The recipe is below.

Barbecue Bacon Burger

Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 strips thick-cut bacon
• 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup smoky barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
• 4 brioche burger buns, toasted
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 leaves green leaf lettuce
• 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
• Dill pickle slices, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon strips until crispy, about 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pan.
2. Form the patties. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined — do not overwork. Divide into 4 equal portions and press each into a patty about 3/4 inch thick. Press a shallow indent into the center of each patty to prevent puffing.
3. Grill or pan-sear. Heat a grill or cast-iron skillet over high heat. Cook patties 3–4 minutes per side for medium doneness. During the last minute of cooking, brush the top of each patty with barbecue sauce and lay a slice of cheddar on top. Cover briefly to melt the cheese.
4. Toast the buns. Lightly butter the cut sides of the brioche buns and toast on the grill or in a dry skillet until golden, about 1 minute.
5. Build the burgers. Spread a generous layer of barbecue sauce on the bottom bun. Layer on lettuce, tomato, the cheesy patty, 2 strips of bacon, red onion, and pickles. Add the top bun and press gently. Serve immediately with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 680 | Protein: 42g | Fat: 38g | Carbs: 38g | Fiber: 2g | Sodium: 1020mg