Bacon Cheeseburger Recipe

Name: Chuckwagon BBQ & Burgers Bacon Cheeseburger Recipe
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground chuck (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce (optional); 6 slices thick-cut bacon; 2 slices American cheese slices; 0 slices Cheddar cheese slices; 0 slices Swiss cheese slices; 0 slices Pepper Jack cheese slices; 2 pieces hamburger buns (sesame or plain); 1 tbs butter (softened, for toasting buns); 2 leaves lettuce leaves (iceberg or romaine); 0.5 medium tomato; 1 tsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola); 0 to taste optional: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard (served at condiment bar)

Inspired by Chuckwagon BBQ & Burgers

Time40m

Serves2

Served with lettuce and tomato, all other condiments are served at the condiment bar. Cheese selection American, Cheddar, Swiss, or Pepper Jack.

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Ingredients

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Burger Patties & Seasoning

1 lb ground chuck (80/20)

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tbs Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Bacon & Cheese

6 slices thick-cut bacon

2 slices American cheese slices

0 slices Cheddar cheese slices

0 slices Swiss cheese slices

0 slices Pepper Jack cheese slices

Buns & Toppings

2 pieces hamburger buns (sesame or plain)

1 tbs butter (softened, for toasting buns)

2 leaves lettuce leaves (iceberg or romaine)

1/2 medium tomato

Pan / Grill & Finishing

1 tsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)

0 to taste optional: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard (served at condiment bar)

Method

Prep

Form patties

Divide the ground chuck into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Gently shape each portion into a patty about 3/4 inch thick and slightly wider than the buns. Do not overwork the meat. Make a shallow 1/2-inch-wide thumb indentation in the center of each patty to reduce doming during cooking.

Season both sides of each patty with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. If using Worcestershire sauce, sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon on each patty and gently pat to distribute.

Slice the tomato into two 1/4-inch thick slices. Wash and pat dry lettuce leaves. Set out cheese selection; choose the cheese slices you want to use (American recommended for classic).

Cook Bacon

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 8–10 minutes depending on thickness. Transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Keep skillet with bacon fat for extra flavor (or wipe out and reserve skillet for patties if you prefer less grease).

Cook Patties

If you used the bacon skillet and there is a lot of fat, wipe out leaving about 1 teaspoon of fat, or add 1 teaspoon neutral oil to a clean skillet or grill pan. Heat the skillet or grill over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.

Place the patties in the hot skillet. Cook without moving for 3 minutes to develop a crust. Flip and cook for another 2–3 minutes for medium doneness. For medium-well, cook 3–4 minutes after flipping. Total time will vary with thickness and heat.

About 1 minute before the patties are done, place a slice of your chosen cheese on each patty. Cover the pan with a lid (or a sheet pan) for 30–60 seconds to help the cheese melt.

Toast Buns & Finish

While the cheese is melting, butter the cut sides of the buns. Place them buttered-side down on a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat and toast until golden, about 1–2 minutes.

Assemble each burger: place toasted bottom bun, lettuce leaf, tomato slice, cheese-topped patty, 3 slices of bacon (folded if needed), then top bun. If desired, add condiments from the condiment bar (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard) to the top or bottom bun.

Serve immediately with fries or a salad.