Restaurants›The Whiskey Barn - Honky Tonk and Smoke BBQ›Smoke Bbq Burger Recipe

Smoke Bbq Burger Recipe

Inspired by The Whiskey Barn - Honky Tonk and Smoke BBQ
Time40m
Serves3

6oz grilled burger, maple bourbon BBQ sauce, bacon, smoke gouda, house burger sauce, lettuce and pickles.

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Ingredients

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Burger Patties & Seasoning

Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Toppings & Assembly

Method

Burger Patties & Seasoning

1

Form patties

Divide the ground beef into three equal portions (about 6 oz each). Gently form each portion into a patty about 3/4" thick and slightly wider than the bun. Do not overwork the meat. Make a shallow dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent doming during cooking.

2

Season patties

Brush both sides of the patties with the Worcestershire sauce, then season evenly with salt and black pepper just before cooking.

Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce

3

Combine all sauce ingredients (ketchup, maple syrup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional hot sauce) in a small saucepan over medium heat.

4

Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning—add a little more maple for sweetness or a splash more vinegar for tang. Keep warm or refrigerate until ready to use; rewarm briefly before assembling if chilled.

Toppings & Assembly

5

Cook bacon

Cook the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, turning as needed, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. For convenience, cook bacon in the oven at 400°F (200°C) on a wire rack for 12–16 minutes until crisp.

6

Toast buns

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Split the buns and toast cut-side down in the butter until golden, about 1–2 minutes. Remove and keep warm.

7

Grill patties

Preheat a grill or heavy skillet/griddle to medium-high (about 400°F / medium-high). Lightly oil the grill/griddle. Place the patties on the hot surface. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side for medium (adjust 2–3 min per side for medium-rare, 4–5+ for well-done). During the last 1–1.5 minutes of cooking, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the maple bourbon BBQ sauce onto each patty and place a slice of smoked gouda on top. Close a lid or cover with foil to help cheese melt for about 1 minute.

8

Assemble burgers

Spread about 1 tablespoon of house burger sauce onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a lettuce leaf on the sauce, then set the sauced-and-cheesed patty on top. Lay two bacon strips across each burger, add dill pickle slices (about 1/4 cup per burger), and drizzle an additional 1 teaspoon of maple bourbon BBQ sauce if desired. Spread a thin layer of house burger sauce on the top bun and close the burger.

9

Serve

Serve immediately while hot. Suggested sides: fries or coleslaw. Leftover BBQ sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 1 week.