Bacon Blue Cheese Burger

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 a premium ground beef to form the burger patty that is an 80% lean and has 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 a 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 choices.
• Blue Cheese Crumbles: Tangy and creamy blue cheese crumbles bring a bold and distinctive savory and salty flavor. It adds 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 the 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 with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
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Pro-tip: Don’t skip refrigerating the burger patties. Chilling the patties for a brief period helps them firm up as well as helping them hold their shape.

1. Cook the Bacon: Preheat your oven to 400°F. To make cleanup much easier line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil then place a wire rack in it. Place the bacon on the wire rack making sure the slices don’t overlap. Cook the bacon for 15-20 minutes or until it 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. While the bacon is cooking 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 a 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 that are slightly bigger than the buns. They should weight about 4 ounces each. Lightly salt and pepper each patty being careful not to over salt 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 with the melted blue cheese and slices of crispy bacon. Cover each burger with the top half of the burger bun and enjoy with your favorite burger side dishes or a salad. If you’re a purist, you can enjoy the incredible flavors without any 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 delectable meal on their own, but they can be even more enjoyable when accompanied by the right side dishes. We love serving them with crispy french fries or potato wedges, onion rings, coleslaw, potato salad, grilled veggies, or a mixed green salad.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: Both the bacon and burger patties can be made in advance. For the patties, prepare them in advance then place in an air tight 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 the refrigerate in an air tight 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 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 on a stovetop skillet when you’re ready to enjoy them again. If patties or bacon are frozen, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Don’t over work 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 other toppings like sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or bbq sauce for a personalized touch.

Frequently Asked Questions