Crispy Thick Bacon Burger Recipe

Name: Zany Grazes Crispy Thick Bacon Burger Recipe
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lbs ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle/skillet); 8 slices thick-cut bacon; 2 tbs brown sugar (optional, for candied bacon); 4 pcs burger buns (brioche or potato), halved; 4 leaves lettuce (iceberg or romaine), leaves; 1 large tomato, ripe; 0.5 small red onion, thinly sliced; 4 slices mild cheddar or American cheese (optional); 0.25 cups mayonnaise; 0.25 cups plain Greek yogurt (2% or nonfat); 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 0.5 tsp lemon juice; 0.25 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 1 tbs butter (for toasting buns), softened

Inspired by Zany Graze

Time40m

Serves4

crispy thick bacon lettuce tomato and light mayo on...

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Ingredients

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Burger Patties & Seasoning

1 lbs ground beef (80/20)

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tbs vegetable oil (for griddle/skillet)

Thick Bacon

8 slices thick-cut bacon

2 tbs brown sugar (optional, for candied bacon)

Buns & Toppings

4 pcs burger buns (brioche or potato), halved

4 leaves lettuce (iceberg or romaine), leaves

1 large tomato, ripe

1/2 small Red onion, thinly sliced

4 slices mild cheddar or American cheese (optional)

Light Mayo & Finishing

1/4 cups Mayonnaise

1/4 cups plain Greek yogurt (2% or nonfat)

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp ReaLemon lemon juice

1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tbs butter (for toasting buns), softened

Method

Prepare Light Mayo

Make sauce

In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate until ready.

Cook Thick Bacon

Oven method (crispiest, hands-off)

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the rack. If using, sprinkle brown sugar lightly over each slice for a candied finish. Bake 15–22 minutes, turning once after 10 minutes if desired, until edges are crispy and centers are cooked but not burnt. Remove to paper towels to drain and keep warm. Reserve bacon fat on foil for discard or saving.

Skillet method (fast, more rendered fat)

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Fry 4–7 minutes per side depending on thickness until crispy and nicely browned. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Keep skillet slightly greased for searing patties if using same pan.

Form and Cook Patties

Divide the 1 lb ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each) for thick, roughly 3/4-inch patties, or into 2 portions for thicker burgers. Gently form into round patties about 3/4-inch thick, making a shallow dimple in the center of each with your thumb to prevent doming during cooking. Do not overwork the meat.

Season both sides of each patty with 1/4 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper immediately before cooking.

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot and shimmering. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or use reserved bacon fat (careful of smoking). Place patties on the hot surface leaving space between them. For medium doneness cook 3–4 minutes per side, flipping once. For thicker patties or medium-well cook 5–6 minutes per side. If using cheese, add a slice to each patty in the last 1 minute of cooking and cover with a lid to melt.

After cooking, transfer patties to a plate and rest 3–5 minutes to redistribute juices.

Toast Buns & Assemble

Lightly butter the cut sides of the buns. Toast on a skillet or griddle over medium heat until golden and lightly crisp, about 1–2 minutes. Alternatively, place under a broiler for 45–60 seconds, watching carefully.

Spread about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the prepared light mayo on the top and bottom buns.

Place lettuce leaf on the bottom bun, then the rested burger patty (with melted cheese if used). Top the patty with two slices of the crispy thick bacon (for a double-bacon effect, add more as desired). Add a slice of tomato and a few thin slices of red onion. Finish with the top bun.

Serve immediately with optional sides (fries, pickles). Provide extra light mayo on the side if desired.