Homemade BBQ Bacon Burger

There's really nothing better than a homemade grilled cheeseburger. Especially during the summer.

For years, my fiancé and I lived in an apartment that didn't allow grills. So, we were stuck only enjoying them at cookouts or restaurants. We longed for the day we'd own a house where we could finally grill our own burgers.

Finally, two years ago, we closed on our first home. Our first purchase? A gas grill. Our second meal? Grilled cheeseburgers.

Now, I make grilled cheeseburgers nearly every week throughout the summer.

And one of my favorite variations is this homemade BBQ bacon burger. It's smoky, juicy, sweet, and tangy. Everything you want a grilled burger to be.

So, if you love grilling and want to learn how to make the best BBQ bacon burger ever, keep reading for all of my tips and tricks.

>> Looking for a lighter burger recipe instead? Give this Turkey Smash Burger recipe or this Air Fryer Turkey Burger recipe a try!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Flavorful- The combination of smoky BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and juicy beef patties creates a crave-worthy burger everyone will want the recipe for.
• Homemade BBQ Sauce- Sweet, tangy, and delicious - homemade BBQ sauce only takes a few minutes to make and is so worth the extra effort.
• Ready in 45 Minutes- Seriously! With a little multitasking, you can have a homemade barbecue bacon cheeseburger ready to devour in just 45 minutes.
• Customizable- I love serving these easy BBQ bacon burgers for dinner because they're endlessly customizable. Get creative and add your favorite toppings and condiments!
• Perfect for Summer- Nothing says summer like a juicy, grilled cheeseburger. Serve this delicious BBQ bacon burgers recipe at a summer cookout and all of your guests will love you.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Ground Beef- For the juiciest burger, opt for 80-85% lean ground beef. When shaping the patties, be careful not to overwork the meat to avoid making it tough.
• Bacon- Opt for thick-sliced bacon with minimal sugar or additional additives. Personally, I prefer using uncured bacon as it naturally contains fewer nitrates.
• Ketchup- For the homemade barbecue sauce, use high-quality ketchup like Heinz Simply Tomato Ketchup. It contains simple ingredients and is made without high fructose corn syrup.
• Brown Sugar- Adds a rich, sweet flavor to the homemade BBQ sauce. For a tangier sauce, reduce the amount of brown sugar.
• Apple Cider Vinegar- Tangy and acidic, apple cider vinegar balances the sweetness of the brown sugar and ketchup.
• Worcestershire Sauce- Adds a savory, umami note to the BBQ sauce.
• Seasonings- A combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper gives the BBQ sauce its signature flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese- Rich and creamy cheddar cheese pairs perfectly with the sweet, tangy BBQ sauce and salty bacon.
• Buns- Toast the hamburger buns on the grill or in the oven to add even more flavor to these flavorful BBQ bacon cheeseburgers.

Sustainability Tip: Choose locally-sourced ground beef and bacon when possible. It supports local farmers and your local economy, and reduces food transportation pollution.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this smoky BBQ bacon burger recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Ground Beef- For a leaner burger, use 90% lean ground beef. You can also use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground bison if preferred.
• Bacon- Substitute pork bacon for turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives.
• Ketchup- Swap ketchup for tomato sauce or tomato paste. You may need to add a little more vinegar, sugar, or water to the BBQ sauce if you make these swaps.
• Brown Sugar- Replace some or all of the brown sugar with maple syrup, honey, or molasses for a different flavor profile.
• Apple Cider Vinegar- White vinegar or red wine vinegar can be used in place of apple cider vinegar.
• Worcestershire Sauce- Soy sauce or tamari make good Worcestershire sauce substitutes.
• Cheddar Cheese- Substitute cheddar cheese with your favorite cheese. Try Swiss, provolone, pepper jack, or a dairy-free alternative.
• Buns- Swap regular burger buns for gluten-free buns, whole wheat buns, or even lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Variations

• Reduced-Fat- Opt for 90% lean ground beef and use just ½ of a slice of bacon for a reduced-fat version of this barbecue bacon burger.
• Gluten-Free- Swap the hamburger bun for your favorite gluten-free hamburger bun. Additionally, make sure the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and other BBQ sauce ingredients are gluten-free.
• Vegetarian- Replace the ground beef patty and bacon with plant-based alternatives and swap the cheddar cheese for a slice of dairy-free cheese. Also, substitute the Worcestershire sauce with a vegetarian alternative like soy sauce or tamari.
• Lower-Carb- Use lettuce in place of the hamburger bun and reduce the amount of brown sugar in the BBQ sauce.

Equipment Notes

Here are some notes on any special equipment I used to make this recipe.

• Gas Grill- I've only tested this recipe on a propane gas grill because that's what I have at home. Make sure you clean the grates and preheat the grill before cooking the burgers. If you're looking for a new grill, I love and highly recommend the Weber Genesis II E-315 3-Burner Propane Grill.

How to Make The Best BBQ Bacon Burger

Here is how to make grilled BBQ bacon burgers.

1. Make the BBQ Sauce

• In a small saucepan, whisk together all the BBQ sauce ingredients until well combined.
• Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sugar to dissolve and the sauce to thicken slightly.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside to cool for a few minutes before using it on the burgers.

2. Cook the Bacon

• Arrange the bacon strips in a cold stainless steel or cast iron skillet, making sure they don't overlap too much.
• Set the stovetop burner to medium-low heat and cook the bacon for about 10 minutes. Flip the bacon and continue cooking until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
• Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.

3. Prepare the Burgers

• Preheat the gas grill over high heat for 10 minutes.
• While the grill is preheating, divide the ground beef into 4 equal-sized portions and shape them into ½-inch thick patties. Shape the patties gently without compacting the meat too much.
• Generously season the patties on both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

4. Grill the Burgers

• Place the seasoned burger patties on the clean grill grates and cook over high heat for 3 minutes with the lid open.
• Flip the burgers and baste the cooked side with the prepared BBQ sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Flip the burgers again, baste the other side with the remaining BBQ sauce, and top them with slices of cheddar cheese. Turn off the grill burners and close the lid to allow the cheese to melt.
• Transfer the burgers to a clean plate and let them rest for 5 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute.

5. Assemble the Burgers

• Place each burger on a toasted bun and top it with a slice of crispy bacon. If desired, add extra BBQ sauce and other toppings of your choice, such as lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, or onions.

Quick Note: For this recipe, the ½-inch burger patties are cooked to medium-well or well-done doneness. If you prefer medium-rare or medium burgers, simply make the patties 1 inch thick instead.

Tips for Success

• Use high-quality ingredients. Using the highest-quality ingredients you can find will give you the most flavorful BBQ bacon burger. Opt for locally-sourced, grass-fed ground beef, thick-cut bacon, and artisanal cheddar cheese.
• Make homemade BBQ sauce. Don't skip making the homemade BBQ sauce! It only takes a few extra minutes and really makes these barbecue bacon burgers taste extra delicious.
• Don't overwork the ground beef. To ensure juicy and tender burgers, avoid overworking the ground beef. Gently shape the patties without compacting the meat to preserve its natural moisture and tenderness.
• Let the burgers rest. After grilling the burgers, allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the patties.
• Get creative with your toppings. Don't be afraid to experiment with different toppings! Try adding caramelized onions, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, or creamy avocado.

What to Serve With a BBQ Bacon Burger

Wondering what to serve with your sweet and tangy BBQ bacon burgers? Luckily, this crispy bacon BBQ burger recipe pairs well with all of your favorite summer side dishes.

Of course, you can't go wrong with potato side dishes. Burgers and fries are a classic pairing. But, roasted potato wedges, potato salad, baked potatoes, and mashed potatoes can also be served.

If you're looking for a lighter option, pair this juicy BBQ bacon burger with a refreshing salad. Some of my favorite summer salads include Caesar salad, spinach Caprese salad, kale salad, and black bean salad.

Finally, other summer side dishes, such as grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, baked beans, pasta salad, cilantro lime rice, and guacamole or pico de gallo with chips, all pair perfectly with grilled BBQ burgers.

Burger Topping Ideas

• Vegetables- Avocado, tomato, lettuce, red onion, fresh herbs, microgreens, jalapeño slices, pickles, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions
• Fruits- Grilled pineapple slices, fresh mango slices
• Cheeses- Blue cheese, Swiss cheese, provolone cheese, pepper jack cheese, pimento cheese
• Condiments- Spicy garlic aioli, pineapple habanero salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, mango corn salsa, pickled red onions
• Other- Onion rings, fried pickles, coleslaw, fried egg, BBQ pulled chicken or pork

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

Store the leftover burger patties separate from the bacon, buns, cheese, and other toppings for best results.

• Refrigerator- Store the leftover grilled burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cooked bacon slices can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer- For longer storage, freeze leftover BBQ burgers for up to 3 months. Cooked bacon can be stored in the freezer for up to one month.

How to Reheat

• Grill- Preheat the grill over medium heat. Place the burgers directly on the grill grates and close the lid. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until the burgers are hot.
• Stovetop- Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. Arrange the burger patties in a single layer and add a splash of water to the skillet. Cover with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until the burgers are warmed through.
• Oven- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place leftover burger patties on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Heat in the oven for 7-10 minutes or until the patties are fully warmed through.
• Microwave- Place an individual hamburger patty on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Microwave on half-power (50%) in 30-second intervals until fully heated through.
• Air Fryer- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Make Ahead

If you're a planner like me, you're in luck! Several parts of this bacon barbecue burger recipe can be made ahead of time.

• Burger Patties- Prepare the burger patties in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before grilling. Shape the patties, season them, and place them on a tray or plate covered with plastic wrap or foil.
• Bacon- Cook the bacon according to the instructions in the recipe, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• BBQ Sauce- Homemade BBQ sauce can be made in ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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