Hearty BBQ Bacon Burger (Printable)

Juicy beef patties with crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and tangy barbecue sauce on toasted buns.

# What You'll Need:

→ Burger Patties

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→ Toppings

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→ Optional Additions

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# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high heat (approximately 375°F).
02 - In a mixing bowl, gently combine ground beef with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly distributed. Form into 4 equal patties, slightly larger than the buns to account for shrinkage during cooking. Create a small indentation in the center of each patty to prevent puffing.
03 - Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and fat has rendered, approximately 6–8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease.
04 - Grill or pan-sear burger patties for 3–4 minutes per side for medium doneness, adjusting time to achieve preferred doneness. During the final minute of cooking, place a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on each patty and cover briefly to melt.
05 - Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast on the grill or in a skillet until golden brown and lightly crisp, approximately 1–2 minutes.
06 - Spread mayonnaise on the bottom bun (if using). Layer with lettuce leaves, cheesy burger patty, 2 crispy bacon slices, tomato slices, red onion rings, pickle slices, and 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce. Complete with the top bun.
07 - Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by coleslaw, sweet potato fries, or other preferred sides.

# Expert Tips:

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  • The crispy bacon creates this incredible crunch that contrasts perfectly with the juicy beef patty
  • That barbecue sauce and cheddar combination transforms an ordinary burger into something restaurant quality
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  • Never press down on your patties with that spatula because all those incredible juices will escape onto the flames
  • Let those burgers rest for just two minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute instead of running out immediately
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  • Make a small indentation in the center of each raw patty to prevent them from puffing up into balls while cooking
  • Toast buns cut side down for exactly thirty seconds, watching closely because they go from golden to burnt incredibly fast

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