Smoky BBQ Bacon Burger Recipe

Make a mouthwatering BBQ Bacon Burger at home with this easy, restaurant-style recipe. A well-seasoned, juicy burger patty is topped with crispy bacon, melted cheese, tangy barbecue sauce, and crunchy onion strings for a bold flavor and satisfying texture.

Great burgers balance a juicy, well-seasoned patty with contrasting toppings—soft bun, smoky bacon, melty cheese, crisp greens, and a sauce with personality. This BBQ Bacon Burger recipe delivers all of that, and it’s simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for a backyard barbecue. Total time is about 30 minutes, and it yields four satisfying burgers.

Ingredients

• Bacon – 8 slices. Use classic or thick-cut bacon and cook ahead in the oven or skillet until crisp.
• Ground beef – 1 pound, preferably 80/20 (80% lean, 20% fat) for juicy patties.
• Hamburger seasoning – 1 tablespoon. A simple blend of salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder works well.
• Worcestershire sauce – 1 teaspoon for savory umami depth (soy sauce can be substituted).
• Cheddar cheese – 4 slices (sharp cheddar recommended). American or Swiss will also melt nicely.
• Hamburger buns – 4, brioche preferred for its buttery flavor but any bun will do.
• BBQ sauce – about 1/2 cup total; use your favorite bottled sauce or a homemade variety.
• Fried onion strings – 1/2 cup for crunch. You can substitute onion rings, homemade air-fryer onion rings, or use caramelized or raw onions.
• Lettuce – 4 leaves (green leaf, iceberg, butter lettuce, or romaine).
• Tomato – 4 slices of a large, ripe tomato.

Instructions

Plan to have the bacon cooked and drained before you start grilling the patties. Cooking bacon ahead saves time and ensures it’s crisp and ready when you assemble the burgers.

1. Prepare the bacon. Cook bacon in the oven on a rimmed baking sheet or in a skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Bacon can be cooked up to five days ahead and refrigerated.
2. Form the patties. In a bowl combine the ground beef, hamburger seasoning and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently to combine—avoid overworking the meat. Divide into four equal portions and shape into patties about ½ inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent doming while cooking.
3. Grill the patties. Preheat an outdoor grill or a hot grill pan over medium-high heat (around 350–400°F is ideal). Once hot, place the patties on the grill and cook about 5 minutes per side for medium, depending on thickness. Adjust cook time by 1 minute per side for medium-well and 6–7 minutes per side for well-done. Do not press down with a spatula—this squeezes out juices.
4. Add cheese and rest. During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty and allow it to melt. Remove the burgers from the grill and let them rest on a plate or cutting board for about 5 minutes; resting redistributes juices and helps prevent soggy buns.
5. Toast buns and assemble. Toast the buns on the grill or in a skillet until golden. On the bottom bun place a lettuce leaf and tomato slice, add broken strips of bacon, then the cheese-topped burger. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce over each patty, top with 2 tablespoons of fried onion strings, and finish with the top bun. Serve immediately.