This BBQ Bacon Smash Burger Is Perfectly Sweet And Tangy
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
30 minutes
Servings:
4 Servings
Ingredients
  • 3 slices bacon, diced
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 seeded burger buns
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened
  • 8 slices American cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped scallions
  • Dill pickle chips or slices, for topping
Directions
  1. Place the bacon in a medium saucepan.
  2. Cook the bacon over medium heat until brown and crisp.
  3. Remove the cooked bacon from the saucepan using a slotted spoon and set it aside. Keep the bacon drippings in the pan.
  4. Add the onions to the pan, stir to combine with the bacon drippings, and saute until soft and lightly brown, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to the pan, whisk to combine, and bring to a simmer.
  6. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, return the bacon to the pan, and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
  7. Meanwhile, make the burgers by placing the ground beef, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  8. Using your hands, mix until thoroughly combined.
  9. Divide the burger mixture into 8 even balls.
  10. Spread the buns with softened butter and toast until lightly golden. Set aside.
  11. Spritz a large skillet or griddle pan with cooking spray and preheat over medium-high heat.
  12. Once hot, working in batches if necessary, add the burger balls to the skillet, and sear for 1 minute.
  13. Firmly press the burgers flat using either a burger press or a slightly smaller (heavy-bottom) skillet.
  14. Cook for 2 minutes or until deeply seared.
  15. Flip the burgers, reapply the press, and sear for another 2 minutes on the other side until deeply seared.
  16. Remove the press and top burgers with American cheese slices (1 slice per burger).
  17. Once the cheese has melted, stack 2 burgers on a toasted bottom bun.
  18. Generously top the burgers with BBQ sauce.
  19. Garnish the sauced burgers with scallions and pickle slices before capping with the toasted top bun and serving.