Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsThe Iowa TaproomCowboy Burger Recipe

Cowboy Burger Recipe

Inspired by The Iowa Taproom
Time45m
Serves4

Onion crisps, porter BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese, bacon, house-made candied jalapeños, and sriracha mayo on a toasted brioche bun | Add a Fried Egg for +$1.50.

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Ingredients

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Burger Ingredients

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Candied Jalapeños

    In a small saucepan, combine sliced jalapeños, sugar, and vinegar. Simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes until the jalapeños are tender and the syrup thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.

  2. 2

    Cook the Bacon

    In a skillet, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

  3. 3

    Make the Patties

    In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, and black pepper. Form into 4 equal-sized patties.

Cooking

  1. 4

    Grill the Patties

    Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until they reach your desired doneness.

  2. 5

    Add Cheese

    In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of pepper jack cheese on each patty and close the grill lid to melt the cheese.

  3. 6

    Toast the Buns

    While the patties are cooking, toast the brioche buns on the grill until golden brown.

  4. 7

    Fry the Eggs (Optional)

    In a separate skillet, fry the eggs to your liking. Season with salt and pepper.

Assembly

  1. 8

    Build the Burger

    On the bottom half of each toasted brioche bun, spread a generous layer of sriracha mayo. Place the grilled patty with melted cheese on top, followed by crispy bacon, onion crisps, candied jalapeños, and a drizzle of porter BBQ sauce.

  2. 9

    Add Fried Egg (If Desired)

    If you are adding a fried egg, place it on top of the BBQ sauce before adding the top half of the bun.

  3. 10

    Finish and Serve

    Top with the other half of the brioche bun, secure with a toothpick if necessary, and serve immediately.

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