Name: Crispy Double Bacon Cheeseburger
Ingredients: 450 g (1 lb) ground beef, preferably 80/20; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 4 slices cheddar cheese; 6–8 bacon strips; 1 teaspoon oil, if needed for cooking; 2 large burger buns; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 4 lettuce leaves; 1 medium tomato, sliced; 4–6 pickle slices; ½ small red onion, thinly sliced; ¼ cup (60 g) mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon ketchup; 1 teaspoon yellow mustard; 1 teaspoon pickle juice; ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Ingredients

Scale

For the Burger Patties

450 g (1 lb) ground beef, preferably 80/20
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
4 slices cheddar cheese

For the Crispy Bacon

6–8 bacon strips
1 teaspoon oil, if needed for cooking

For Assembling the Burgers

2 large burger buns
2 tablespoons butter, softened
4 lettuce leaves
1 medium tomato, sliced
4–6 pickle slices
½ small red onion, thinly sliced

For the Creamy Burger Sauce

¼ cup (60 g) mayonnaise
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon pickle juice
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Crispy Bacon

Place the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat. Starting the bacon in a cold or moderately warm pan helps the fat render gently, which gives you crispier, more evenly cooked strips.

Cook for approximately 6 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the bacon is deeply golden and crispy. Cooking time will vary depending on thickness.

Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Set aside. The bacon will continue to crisp up as it cools slightly. 🥓

2️⃣ Make the Burger Sauce

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.

Stir until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate while preparing the other ingredients to allow the flavors to blend. Even 10 or 15 minutes in the refrigerator makes the sauce taste more balanced.

3️⃣ Shape the Beef Patties

Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and gently shape them into thin patties slightly wider than your buns. Making them a little wider allows for shrinkage as the beef cooks.

Make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty to help prevent excessive puffing during cooking.

Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder just before cooking. Seasoning at the last minute keeps the texture tender.

4️⃣ Cook the Patties

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.

Cook the patties for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until nicely browned and cooked through. Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) internally for food safety. A quick-read thermometer takes the guesswork out.

Avoid pressing down on the patties with a spatula, as this releases their flavorful juices. 🥩

5️⃣ Melt the Cheese

During the final minute of cooking, place one slice of cheddar cheese on each patty.

Cover the skillet briefly to help the cheese melt into a smooth, gooey layer. A small lid or an upside-down metal bowl traps steam and melts the cheese quickly.

Stack two cheesy patties together for each burger. 🧀

6️⃣ Toast the Buns

Spread softened butter over the cut sides of the burger buns.

Place them butter-side down in a skillet over medium heat and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, until lightly golden and crisp.

Toasting helps prevent the buns from becoming soggy under the juicy patties and sauce.

7️⃣ Assemble the Double Bacon Cheeseburgers

Spread a generous layer of burger sauce over the bottom buns.

Add lettuce, tomato, and the double stack of cheesy beef patties.

Layer crispy bacon over the patties, then add pickles and sliced red onion.

Spread additional burger sauce on the top buns and place them over the burgers.

Press gently to hold everything together, then serve immediately while the cheese is melted and the bacon is crunchy! 🍔🧀🥓