Western BBQ Burger
Juicy beef burger topped with crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and tangy BBQ sauce. Ready in 30 minutes for a backyard classic.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 620
- Protein
- 38g
Ingredients
- ½ lb Ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 4 strips Bacon strips
- 2 slices Cheddar cheese slices
- 2 buns Burger buns
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 2 leaves Lettuce leaves
- ½ medium Tomato
Instructions
- 1
Lay the bacon strips flat across a cutting board, not overlapping, so they can cook evenly. You will cook them all at once.
- 2
Hold the tomato stem-side down and slice it straight down through the middle into thin rounds about 1/4-inch thick, like cutting a wheel into flat discs.
- 3
Divide the ground beef into two equal portions. Gently form each portion into a ball, then flatten it on the cutting board with the palm of your hand into a patty about 1/2-inch thick and slightly wider than your bun.
- 4
Use your thumb to press a shallow indent about the size of a coin into the center of each patty — this keeps the burger from puffing up as it cooks.
- 5
Place the bacon strips in a 12-inch skillet in a single layer, not overlapping, and set the heat to medium. You will cook them until crispy.
- 6
Cook the bacon, turning each strip over once when the first side looks dark brown and crispy (about 3 to 4 minutes per side), for 6 to 8 minutes total until all strips are dark brown and bend slightly when you lift them.
- 7
Transfer the cooked bacon to a clean plate lined with a paper towel so it can cool and stay crispy.
- 8
Pour out all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the skillet, leaving the browned bits stuck to the bottom — they add flavor.
- 9
Set the skillet back on the stove over medium-high heat and wait 60 seconds until the surface shimmers and moves quickly when you tilt the pan.
- 10
Place both beef patties into the hot skillet and let them cook without touching or moving them for 2 minutes until the bottom surfaces turn golden brown and stick slightly to the pan.
- 11
Use a thin metal spatula to slide underneath each patty and flip it over in one swift motion. Cook the other side for 2 minutes until that side is also golden brown.
- 12
Top each patty with 1 slice of cheddar cheese, then cover the skillet with a lid or large baking sheet and turn the heat to low. Cook for 30 to 45 seconds until the cheese looks shiny and soft.
- 13
Transfer each burger patty onto a clean plate and let it rest for 1 minute so the juices stay inside when you bite it.
- 14
Split open each burger bun and place the bottom half on a cutting board or plate with the cut side facing up.
- 15
Spread 1.5 tablespoons of BBQ sauce on the inside of each bottom bun using the back of a spoon or a butter knife, covering most of the surface.
- 16
Place one lettuce leaf on top of the sauce on each bun, covering the sauce entirely so it does not soak through the bread.
- 17
Lay 2 slices of tomato on top of the lettuce on each bun, overlapping them slightly so they cover most of the surface.
- 18
Place one cooked beef patty with melted cheese on top of the tomato on each bun.
- 19
Break each of the 4 bacon strips in half and lay 2 halves on top of each beef patty, crossing them so they stay in place.
- 20
Place the top bun half on each burger, pressing it gently down so all the ingredients come together, then serve immediately.
Tools you’ll need
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- 12-inch skillet with lid or baking sheet for cover
- Thin metal spatula
- Paper towels
- Clean plate
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