Bacon Cheeseburger – Perfected Recipe
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Want to make a smoky, juicy bacon cheeseburger at home that’ll rival the best burger joints? We’re big fans of burgers in my family, and these bacon cheeseburgers are on top of our list. Let me show you how it’s done, no drive-thru required!
I’m a firm believer that a really good bacon cheeseburger can fix just about anything. We’ve grilled more burgers than I can count, especially in the summer, but this is the one my family asks for on repeat because it nails the balance every single time — smoky, juicy, melty, and perfectly stacked so every bite just works.
Thick-cut smoked bacon delivers that salty crunch you can’t skip, and I always go for sharp cheddar because it stands up to the beef rather than disappearing into it. Fresh tomato, crisp lettuce, and sliced onion add that cool, crunchy contrast, while juicy (but not overly fatty) beef keeps things rich without being greasy. And if you hand me a choice of buns, I’m grabbing brioche every time — that soft, slightly sweet bite against all that savory goodness is pure burger bliss.
Pro tip: Layer with intention. Keeping your burger structured helps it stay together and stops it from getting soggy. Start with your sauced bun on the bottom, then add the lettuce to catch the juices. Then add your tomato, the patty with the melted cheese, then the onion, bacon, and the top bun.
Grilling tips
In the summer months, I’ll often make these burgers on the grill instead – I just love the smoky flavor. You’ll want to adjust the cook time depending on the thickness of the patties and the heat of your grill. I also like to toast the brioche buns, cut-side down, for just a minute.
Make-ahead tips
- Bacon: Pre-cook the bacon, then let the strips cool to room temperature. Store them in a covered container in the fridge for up to three days.
- Burger patties: Form them in advance. If I can cook them fresh, I prefer to do so, so the cheese melts perfectly. But if you’re pre-cooking them, store the cooked patties in the fridge for up to a day.
- Toppings: Prep your toppings the day before by slicing, washing, and drying everything. Store the veggies in a covered container in the fridge to keep them fresh and crisp.
- Enjoy: When it’s time to dig in, reheat the proteins, assemble the burgers, and take your first bite!
Bacon Cheeseburger – Perfected Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- 8 slices sharp cheese
- 4 brioche buns
- Mayo, ketchup, and mustard (for the buns)
- Sliced tomato, onions, and lettuce
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until it's crispy, about 10-12 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and wipe most of the oil out.8 slices bacon
- While the bacon is cooking, divide the meat into four equal portions and gently form them into burger patties. Place them on a plate and season them with salt and pepper. Hot tip: Don’t pack your patties too tightly. Gently shaping the ground meat keeps the texture tender and helps your burgers stay juicy, not dense.1 ½ lb lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- Add the burger patties to the pan you cooked the bacon in and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Flip the burgers, top with two slices of cheese on each burger, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the burgers are fully cooked.8 slices sharp cheese
- Dress the buns with mayo, ketchup, and mustard (to your liking) then top with a burger patty, the bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onion.4 brioche buns, Mayo, ketchup, and mustard, Sliced tomato, onions, and lettuce
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
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For more inspiration, check out all of my burger recipes!
