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Restaurants›McCracken’s Irish Pub›Whiskey Burger Recipe

Whiskey Burger Recipe

Name: McCracken’s Irish Pubs WHISKEY BURGER Recipe
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 50 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 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle/pan); 0.5 cup ketchup; 2 tbs brown sugar (packed); 1 tbs apple cider vinegar; 2 tbs bourbon or whiskey; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 0.5 tsp smoked paprika; 0.25 tsp garlic powder; 0.25 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp hot sauce (optional); 0.25 tsp salt; 1 each yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 1 medium); 1 tbs unsalted butter; 0.5 tbs olive oil; 0.25 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp brown sugar (optional, to accelerate caramelization); 4 slices bacon strips; 2 slices white cheddar cheese, sliced; 2 each hamburger buns (preferably brioche); 2 leaves romaine lettuce leaves; 4 slices tomato, 1/4" slices; 0.25 cup store-bought crispy fried onions; 1 tbs butter (for toasting buns); 4 slices pickle slices (optional); 2 tbs additional whiskey BBQ sauce (for serving)

Inspired by McCracken’s Irish Pub

Time50m

Serves2

Hand-pattied burger topped with bacon, white cheddar, caramelized onions, romaine, tomato, crispy onions, and whiskey BBQ sauce

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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 tsp Original Worcestershire Sauce

1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle/pan)

Whiskey BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup Ketchup

2 tbs brown sugar (packed)

1 tbs Apple cider vinegar

2 tbs bourbon or whiskey

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp Smoked paprika

1/4 tsp Watkins garlic powder

1/4 tsp Onion powder

1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt

Caramelized Onions

1 each yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 1 medium)

1 tbs Unsalted butter

1/2 tbs olive oil

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp brown sugar (optional, to accelerate caramelization)

Toppings & Assembly

4 slices bacon strips

2 slices white cheddar cheese, sliced

2 each hamburger buns (preferably brioche)

2 leaves romaine lettuce leaves

4 slices tomato, 1/4" slices

1/4 cup store-bought crispy fried onions

1 tbs butter (for toasting buns)

Finishing & Optional

4 slices pickle slices (optional)

2 tbs additional whiskey BBQ sauce (for serving)

Method

Whiskey BBQ Sauce

Make the sauce

Combine ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, bourbon, Dijon, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce (if using), and salt in a small saucepan. Whisk to combine over medium heat.

Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, 6–8 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat and set aside; sauce will thicken as it cools.

Caramelized Onions

Caramelize onions

Heat butter and olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and salt; toss to coat.

Cook, stirring every few minutes, for 20–30 minutes until deep golden and sweet. If onions are drying, add a tablespoon of water. Stir in brown sugar for the last 2–3 minutes if you want a deeper caramel flavor. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Bacon

Cook bacon

In a separate skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, about 6–8 minutes, turning as needed. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

When slightly cooled, halve the slices crosswise if needed to fit the buns.

Burger Patties & Assembly

Form and season patties

Divide ground chuck into two equal portions (about 8 oz each). Form into loosely packed patties slightly wider than the buns and about 3/4" thick. Make a shallow dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent doming. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and a light brush of Worcestershire.

Cook patties

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. When shimmering, place patties in the pan. Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until a brown crust forms. Flip and cook 2–3 minutes for medium-rare to medium (adjust time for desired doneness). In the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of white cheddar and cover the pan briefly to melt.

Remove patties to a plate and tent with foil to rest for 3–4 minutes.

Toast buns

While patties rest, melt butter in a clean skillet over medium heat. Toast cut sides of buns until golden, about 1 minute.

Assemble burgers

Spread about 1 tablespoon of whiskey BBQ sauce on the bottom bun. Place a romaine leaf on the sauce, then add the cheeseburger patty. Pile on caramelized onions (about 2–3 tablespoons per burger), two slices of bacon, and two tomato slices. Spoon another 1 tablespoon of whiskey BBQ sauce on the top bun, add a sprinkle (about 2 tablespoons) of crispy fried onions, then close the sandwich.