Duke's Blue Cheese Bacon Burger Recipe

Prepare and form patties

Place the ground beef in a bowl. Sprinkle kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and Worcestershire sauce over the meat. Gently fold the mixture with your hands 6–8 times — do not overwork. Divide into two equal portions and form into patties about 3/4 inch thick and slightly wider than the buns. Make a shallow dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent puffing.

Chill briefly

Cover the patties and refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to help them hold their shape while cooking.

Cook the bacon

Place bacon in a cold skillet in a single layer. Turn heat to medium and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp and evenly browned, about 8–12 minutes depending on thickness. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. When cool, chop or crumble into bite-sized pieces.

Prepare blue cheese spread

In a small bowl combine crumbled blue cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped chives and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until combined but still a little chunky. Taste and adjust salt/pepper as desired. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the blue cheese mixture for spreading on the buns, and set the rest aside for topping the patties.

Toast the buns

Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Butter the cut sides of the buns with the softened butter. Toast buttered sides down in the skillet until golden and crisp, about 1–2 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Cook the patties

Increase skillet or griddle heat to medium-high and add a light coating of oil if needed. Place chilled patties on the hot surface. Cook for about 3–4 minutes without moving to form a crust. Flip and cook another 3 minutes for medium (adjust 1–2 minutes for rarer/longer for well done). During the last 1 minute of cooking, spoon the remaining blue cheese mixture evenly over each patty, then top with the crumbled bacon so the cheese warms and the bacon adheres. If you prefer the cheese more melted, cover the pan for 30–60 seconds.

Assemble the burger

On the bottom bun place a lettuce leaf and a tomato slice. Set the cooked patty topped with blue cheese and bacon on the tomato. Add red onion slices and optional pickles/hot sauce if using. Spread the reserved blue cheese spread on the top bun and place it over the burger. Serve immediately.