Today we are talking about three-ingredient dinner magic.
I am sure you are all familiar with the classic bacon and cheddar burger combination. This typically entails topping a ground beef patty with a slice of cheese and a couple slices of bacon.
It’s a flavor combo that I love, but with this kind of preparation, you don’t always get that perfect bite, with some cheese and bacon in there every single time.
These burgers change all that for you, because the bacon and cheddar are actually mixed into the ground beef. That means each juicy bite gives you the satisfying flavor you are looking for!
Some might find this burger to be reminiscent of something they enjoyed once in Texas or at their favorite fast food chain, but this recipe actually reminds me of a Juicy Lucy, in a way.
If you haven’t heard of a Juicy Lucy, it’s a burger that’s stuffed with cheese in the middle. Yummy, right?
These are really popular in the Midwest where I’m originally from. While I enjoy the concept, the execution isn’t ideal. The reality is, you take one bite and the gooey center squirts out, leaving you with a hole in the middle.
No one enjoys having the cheese explode from their burgers while it’s being cooked either. That is not a fun mess to clean up, trust me!
That’s why this recipe is a new favorite of mine. Instead of stuffing that cheese in the center of the meat, you mix it into the ground beef instead. The texture is so much better, and there’s no fussing over forming the patties carefully around the filling, or having it ooze out before you get your burgers on the table.
Another big bonus is that these only require three ingredients to make. How easy is that? As a new mom, I say the less fuss the better, especially when I am getting the benefit of delicious flavor at the same time.
The right ratio of fat to meat when making burgers is key, to help them stay juicy. Since you are getting extra juiciness from the bacon that’s added to the patties, I reach for 83 to 85% lean ground beef when I make these.
When you’re cooking the patties, here’s my number one tip: please do not press down on your burgers as they cook! I don’t know why we automatically want to do this in the kitchen or when we’re cooking on the grill, but it’s best to avoid it.
If you press down, you end up pushing out all the juices, which results in a dry patty – and a hockey puck patty on a bun is not the end result we’re going for here!
I like to serve these on brioche buns because they are nice and soft. I recommend topping everything off with a few leaves of lettuce, a big slice of tomato, and a couple rings of red onion. Spread a little mayo and ketchup on both halves of the bun too, or try some barbecue sauce instead.
This meal really offers everything you could want in the bacon and cheddar department, and it’s the perfect recipe to pull out whenever you’re craving a juicy cheeseburger.
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Juicy Bacon Cheddar Burgers
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These juicy bacon cheddar burgers have incredible flavor in every single bite. The classic flavor combo is actually mixed into the ground beef.
Ingredients
- 1 pound 83-85% lean ground beef
- 3 slices bacon, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place ground beef, bacon, and cheese in a large mixing bowl. Mix together lightly, using your hands.
- Divide into 4 equal portions. Gently form each portion into a patty. Make an indention in the center of each patty using your thumb. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or to desired level of doneness. Serve warm, on buns with lettuce, tomato, onion, and your choice of condiments.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Burger
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Beef
Keywords: burger, bacon, cheddar, beef
Cooking By the Numbers…
Step 1 – Chop Bacon and Measure Ingredients
Chop three slices of bacon into quarter-inch pieces, and set them aside.
Get out your cheese grater and shred the cheese if that hasn’t been done already.
Take the ground beef out of the fridge, and have your salt and pepper mills at the ready.
Step 2 – Form Patties
In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, chopped bacon, and shredded cheese. Mix these together gently with your hands until combined.
Divide the mixture into 4 roughly equal portions, and form each of these into a patty.
Use your thumb to make an indention in the center of each one. This will help prevent the patties from shrinking as they cook.
Sprinkle both sides of each with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 3 – Cook
Over medium-high heat, heat up a large heavy skillet. I personally like to use cast iron.
Once it’s hot, add the patties and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or to your desired level of doneness. Remember not to press down, to preserve their juiciness!
Serve immediately, with your favorite buns, toppings, and condiments.
Can I Grill These Burgers?
The quick answer is yes, of course you can!
I recommend preheating your grill to 450˚F. Cook the patties for the same amount of time as described above, about 3 minutes per side, for medium doneness. You can cook them longer, if desired.
Are you looking for more inspiration for burger night? Check out these Foodal favorites next:
What are your favorite burger toppings? Tell us in the comments below. And once you try this recipe, be sure to come back and rate it.
Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on August 15, 2011. Last updated on April 18, 2021.
Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.
About Meghan Yager
Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.
