Burgers are my guilty pleasure. If they are on the menu, I’m probably ordering one. Our Bacon Blue Cheese Burger takes this classic favorite to a whole new level. With crispy bacon, tangy blue cheese, and juicy beef, it’s sure to be your new obsession, like it is mine. There is a explosion of flavors in every bite.
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If you love this bacon blue cheese burger, you’ll want to try other delicious burger options like our green chile cheeseburger or Texas burger for different flavor profiles. For something lighter, the turkey burger with mushrooms offers a tasty alternative with mushrooms and Swiss cheese.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This gourmet bacon blue cheese burger is packed with a lot of flavor using just a few ingredients.
In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Ground Beef: Use premium ground beef to form the burger patty, which is 80% lean and 20% fat. The fat content might seem high, but it’s this fat that renders during cooking, keeping the burger moist, flavorful, and tender. Our personal preference is to grind our own burger blend, incorporating a mix of brisket and short ribs to achieve the most flavorful burger possible.
- Bacon: We prefer thick-cut bacon for our burgers. Thick-cut bacon holds up well in a burger, adding a smoky, savory, and slightly crispy element that complements the other ingredients. The choice of bacon depends on your taste, and varieties like applewood-smoked, hickory-smoked, or peppered bacon are all tasty.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: Tangy and creamy blue cheese crumbles bring a bold, distinctive, savory, salty flavor. They add a complex, umami-rich element to the burger, balancing out the smokiness of the bacon and the savory goodness of the beef.
- Burger Buns: For this burger, you will want a sturdy bun that can hold the fillings and not fall apart. We prefer using either a brioche, potato, or sesame-seed bun.
How to Make Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers
Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.
Pro tip: Don’t skip refrigerating the burger patties. Chilling them for a brief period helps them firm up and hold their shape.
1. Cook the Bacon: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil to make cleanup much easier, then place a wire rack. Place the bacon on the wire rack, making sure the slices don’t overlap. Cook the bacon for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Carefully remove the bacon from the oven and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. While the bacon cooks, you can toast the buns and make the burger patties.
2. Toast the Buns: Lightly spread a layer of butter on each cut side of the burger bun, making sure to spread it all the way to the edges. On a griddle over medium-high heat, put the buttered side of the buns down and allow them to cook for about 1-2 minutes or until they are golden brown. You can toast the buns before or while the burger patties are cooking.
3. Make the Burger Patties: Shape the ground beef into four equal-sized burger patties slightly bigger than the buns. They should weigh about 4 ounces each. Lightly salt and pepper each patty, being careful not to oversalt since both the bacon and blue cheese are salty. Place the burger patties on a cookie or baking sheet and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
4. Cook your Burgers: Preheat your grill, griddle, or cast-iron skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the burger patties for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness (the internal temperature should be between 160-165°F). During the last minute of grilling, add a generous portion of blue cheese crumbles on top of each patty and cover with a lid. Remove the patties from the heat and let them rest before assembling.
5. Burger Assembly: Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each burger bun, then add a piece of lettuce and sliced tomato. Top with the burger patty, melted blue cheese, and slices of crispy bacon. Cover each burger with the top half of the bun and enjoy with fries or your favorite burger side. If you’re a purist, you can enjoy the incredible flavors without extra toppings. Or, unleash your creativity by adding your favorite burger garnishes to make this burger uniquely yours.
What to Serve with Burgers
Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers are a satisfying meal on their own, but they can be even more enjoyable when accompanied by the right side dishes. We love serving these burgers with loaded potato wedges, parmesan truffle fries, or steakhouse potato salad for a hearty meal. For a lighter option, try pairing them with jicama corn black bean salad or watermelon goat cheese salad for a refreshing contrast to the rich burger flavors.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: Both the bacon and burger patties can be made in advance. Prepare the patties in advance, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. When ready to cook, follow the grilling instructions above. Cook the bacon as instructed, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When needed, reheat the bacon in the oven or microwave.
How to Store: To store leftover burgers and/or bacon, allow them to cool to room temperature and refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bacon and burger patties can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat: Burger patties can be reheated in a skillet or on the grill over medium heat. Cover the pan with a lid to help retain moisture and heat the patties for about 3-4 minutes per side. To reheat in the microwave, place patties on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel to trap moisture. Reheat in 30-second increments until heated through. Bacon can be reheated in the oven, microwave, or stovetop skillet when you’re ready to enjoy it again. If patties or bacon are frozen, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Don’t overwork the beef. Gently form the burger patties without overworking the meat to keep them tender.
- Add the blue cheese at the end. Place the blue cheese on top of the burger during the last minute of grilling to let it melt slightly without completely losing its texture.
- Allow the burgers to rest. To help redistribute the juices, allow the burger patties to rest a few minutes before serving.
- Cook on medium-high heat. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat for a good sear without overcooking the interior.
- Get creative. Add toppings like sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or bbq sauce for a personalized touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Burger Recipes to Try
Looking for more tasty burger recipes? Try these other favorites:
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders – Pack all the flavor of the classic Philly cheesesteak into soft, buttery rolls. Thinly sliced steak sizzles with sautéed onions and then gets smothered in melty Provolone cheese. The perfect finger food for your next game day bash.
- Caramelized Onion Mushroom Swiss Turkey Burger – Loaded with sweet caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms, this burger is the perfect addition to any BBQ or gathering.
- Classic Texas Burger – Made with juicy beef patties, crisp pickle slices, fresh diced onions, and a generous smear of mustard, these burgers are a must at your next backyard cookout.
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Bacon Blue Cheese Burger
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Equipment
- Cookie or Baking Sheet with wire rack
- Cast-Iron Round Griddle
- Lid or Melting Dome
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 slices of bacon
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 4 burger buns
- butter, for toasting buns
- mayonnaise
- lettuce leaves
- tomato slices
Instructions
Bacon
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. This step will make cleanup much easier. Place a wire rack in the baking sheet.
- Place the bacon on the wire rack making sure they don't overlap.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the bacon is golden brown and crispy.
- Carefully remove the bacon from the oven and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
Buns
- Lightly spread a layer of butter on each cut side of the burger bun. Make sure to spread it all the way to the edges.
- On a griddle over medium-high heat put the buttered side of the buns down and allow them to cook for about 1-2 minutes or until they are a golden brown.
Burger
- Shape the ground beef into four equal-sized burger patties that are slightly bigger than the buns. Lightly salt and pepper each patty (both the bacon and blue cheese are salty). Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
- While the patties are being chilled in the refrigerator, preheat your grill or stovetop griddle over medium-high heat.
- Grill the burger patties to your desired level of doneness, usually about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare. During the last minute of grilling, add a generous portion of blue cheese crumbles on top of each patty and cover with a lid.
- Remove the patties from the heat and let them rest.
Burger Assembly
- Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each burger bun.
- Place a lettuce leaf on top of the mayo. Add a slice of tomato, a burger patty with melted blue cheese, and a slice of crispy bacon.
- Cover each burger with the top half of the burger bun. Enjoy with your favorite side dishes or a salad.
