Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsHighland GrillThe Blue Plate Deluxe Burger Recipe

The Blue Plate Deluxe Burger Recipe

Inspired by Highland Grill
Time1h
Serves4

Our beef patty with aged Wisconsin cheddar, sweet-salty candied bacon, crispy onion strings, and our take on 10k Lakes Burger Sauce

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Ingredients

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Burger Patty

Candied Bacon

Crispy Onion Strings

10k Lakes Burger Sauce

Method

Burger Patty

  1. 1

    Prepare the Patty

    In a large bowl, combine ground beef, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix gently until just combined.

  2. 2

    Shape the Patties

    Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into burger patties. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent puffing while cooking.

  3. 3

    Cook the Patties

    Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Add a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty during the last minute of cooking to melt.

Candied Bacon

  1. 4

    Prepare the Bacon

    Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. 5

    Bake the Bacon

    Lay the bacon strips flat on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with maple syrup and sprinkle brown sugar generously over each slice.

  3. 6

    Cook the Bacon

    Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and caramelized. Let cool on a wire rack.

Crispy Onion Strings

  1. 7

    Soak the Onions

    Peel and slice the onion into thin rings. Soak the rings in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.

  2. 8

    Prepare the Breading

    In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

  3. 9

    Fry the Onion Strings

    Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge soaked onion rings in the flour mixture and fry in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.

10k Lakes Burger Sauce

  1. 10

    Mix the Sauce

    In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, diced pickles, and hot sauce. Mix until well blended. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Assembly

  1. 11

    Assemble the Burger

    Toast the hamburger buns on the grill or skillet. Spread a generous amount of 10k Lakes Burger Sauce on the bottom bun. Layer with the cooked beef patty, candied bacon, and crispy onion strings. Top with the other half of the bun.

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