BBQ Burgers with Bacon Cheddar (Print Format)

Thick grilled burgers with cheddar, bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, and caramelized onions piled on soft buns.

# Ingredients:

→ Seasonings

01 - ½ teaspoon salt
02 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
03 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
04 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
05 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Meat

06 - 24 ounces ground beef (80/20 preferred)
07 - 8 strips bacon

→ Vegetables

08 - 4 small onions, thinly sliced

→ Condiments

09 - ¼ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)

→ Dairy

10 - 8 slices Cheddar cheese
11 - 3 Tablespoons butter

→ Other

12 - 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
13 - 4 pretzel buns or buns of choice

# Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, stir together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
02 - Portion the ground beef into 3-ounce sections and roll them into balls. You will have 8 balls.
03 - Preheat your flat-top grill to medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from grill and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
04 - Add the butter to the grill and let it melt. Then add the onions and toss to coat in the butter. Season with about ¼ of the seasoning mixture. Toss the onions with a spatula frequently until they wilt and begin to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the grill and set aside.
05 - Turn up the heat to high and grease the flattop with the oil.
06 - Season the balls of meat with some of the seasoning mixture on the top. Place the balls, seasoning side down onto the grill. Using a piece of parchment paper and a weight, smash each ball down as thin as you can, really concentrating on the edges.
07 - Season the top side after smashing. Allow to cook until the meat looks a little holey and browned around the edges, about 2 minutes. Using a scraper, scrape under the patty and flip it over. Brush this side with the BBQ sauce, then quickly add a slice of cheese. Continue to cook until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes.
08 - Take off the grill and add some BBQ sauce to the bottom of your bun. Top with two burger patties, then top with onions, bacon, and more BBQ sauce if desired.

# Tips:

01 - Use at least 80/20 ground beef for the recipe.
02 - We love pretzel buns, but feel free to use your preferred type of bun.
03 - Try experimenting with different kinds of cheese to switch things up.
04 - If you don't have a meat press, a sturdy spatula with another weighted object works.
05 - For freezing instructions, consult storage tips for cooked burgers.

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