Bourbon Burger Recipes

BOURBON BACON CHEESEBURGERS

Steps:

• To a large skillet, saute bacon pieces over MED heat until crispy, about 8-12 minutes. I used center cut bacon, so there wasn't too much bacon grease, but if yours is particularly greasy, drain about half the grease. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft and tender, about 3-5 minutes.
• Add cider vinegar, brown sugar, bourbon, water, cayenne, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is mostly cooked off, about 10-15 minutes. Mixture will be thick and syrupy.
• Use immediately, or place into airtight container and refrigerate for 2-4 weeks.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over MED-HIGH heat. Add hamburger buns, cut side down, and toast until golden brown. Turn off heat and remove to a plate to cool.
• In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Peel the onion and grate (using a hand grater or even a box grater) about 2 Tbsp of onion into the meat. Use the fine side of the grater, so you're getting very small pieces of onion. You'll get onion juice too, and that's good.
• Use your hands to mix gently until just combined. Form into 4 patties (for 1/3 lb burgers, make 6 patties, and for a 1/4 lb burger, make 8 patties). Make an indentation in the center of each burger with your thumbs to ensure even cooking.
• Heat a drizzle of oil in the same skillet over MED heat and cook burgers about 5 minutes per side, or until cooked to desired doneness.
• The last minute of cooking, place cheese slices on patties and cover pan with aluminum foil. Serve hamburgers on toasted buns with lettuce and bourbon bacon jam.

BACON BOURBON BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Mix ground beef, bourbon, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, steak seasoning, and garlic salt in a bowl; divide and shape into 2 patties.
• Cook on the preheated grill for about 5 minutes; turn, top each burger with bacon and Cheddar cheese, and continue cooking until the burgers are cooked to your desired degree of doneness, about 5 minutes more for well done. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Serve on split buns topped with tomato and lettuce.