Bacon Burgers Recipes

CLASSIC BACON AND CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Fry the onion in a large frying pan in a splash of olive oil until golden brown. Add the garlic and fry for another 30 seconds then remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Mix the cooled onions with the beef, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg, salt and pepper. To test the seasoning, fry a teaspoon-full of the mixture in the pan you cooked the onions in. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
• Divide the mixture into 5-6 (depending on how you big you want the patties), and form patties with wet hands.
• Place on a tray lined with baking paper and place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
• When the patties have rested, heat a large cast iron pan/griddle pan until hot then cook the burgers until charred and cooked to your preference. (You can also cook the burgers on a braai/barbecue.)
• Remove from the heat, top with the cheese and cover with foil for 2 minutes.
• Top the buns with a generous spoonful of mayo, lettuce, tomato, the patty with cheese and finally bacon.
• Serve immediately.

THE BEST BACON CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish and vinegar in a small bowl; set aside.
• Working in batches if necessary, add the bacon to a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Cook, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a nonstick baking sheet. Discard the bacon fat (or save for another use) and wipe the skillet clean but do not wash. Heat over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes.
• Add the buns split-side up to the baking sheet with the bacon and bake until the buns are toasted, about 5 minutes.
• Loosely form the beef into 4 balls. Add one ball of beef to the skillet and press firmly to flatten with a large flat metal spatula for 10 seconds, then gently remove the spatula. Sprinkle the patty generously with salt; repeat with the remaining beef balls, cooking in batches if necessary. Let cook, undisturbed, until well browned on the bottoms, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the patties, sprinkle with more salt and top each with a slice of Cheddar. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted around the edges and the bottoms are browned, about 2 more minutes.
• Spread the mayonnaise mixture on the bun tops. Serve the patties on the bottom buns topped with the bacon, onion, tomato and lettuce.

JUICY BACON BURGERS

Steps:

• Cut the bacon into pieces and freeze the pieces for 20 minutes to make it easier to process.
• Process the bacon in a mini food processor on the "chop" setting until finely ground. Mix it into the beef with the remaining ingredients.
• Form the mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Use your thumb to make a shallow dimple in the middle of each burger. This helps them retain their shape.
• Heat a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium heat, about 3 minutes. Add the burgers. If the skillet is well-seasoned, there's no need to add oil. Otherwise, add a tablespoon of oil to the pan before adding the burgers.
• Cook the burgers until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side over medium heat.*
• Serve immediately with your favorite hamburger toppings.**

ALL-AMERICAN BACON CHEESEBURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into four patties., Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 3 in. from the heat for 4-7 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear. Top with cheese. Grill 1 minute longer or until cheese is melted. Serve on buns with bacon and toppings of your choice.