Grilled Bacon Cheeseburgers (Printer-Friendly)
Smoky grilled bacon cheeseburgers with sweet Coca Cola caramelized onions, perfect for summer cookouts.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 -
2 large sweet onions, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch rings
02 -
3 leaves green leaf lettuce
03 -
6 slices tomato
→ Meats
04 -
900 grams (2 pounds) ground beef, 80/20 blend
05 -
6 slices thick-cut applewood smoked bacon
→ Dairy
06 -
6 slices cheddar cheese
→ Breads
07 -
6 brioche buns
→ Condiments & Spices
08 -
2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
09 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 -
1 teaspoon onion powder
11 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 -
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
13 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for seasoning
14 -
1 cup Coca-Cola (regular, not diet)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Slice onions into 1/4 inch rings, separating them. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, stirring to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and soft, approximately 15 minutes.
02 -
Add 1 cup of Coca-Cola to the skillet with the onions. Stir to combine and continue cooking until the onions are browned, caramelized, very soft, and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 -
In a large bowl, mix ground beef with BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper by hand until thoroughly combined.
04 -
Divide mixture into six equal portions and shape into patties approximately 1.25 cm (1/2 inch) thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent bulging during grilling. Place patties on a tray until ready to grill.
05 -
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill patties for 5 to 8 minutes on the first side. Flip and cook until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F) for well done. Place a slice of cheddar cheese atop each patty during the final minute to melt. Remove from heat.
06 -
Place brioche bun bottoms on serving plates. Layer with lettuce leaf, tomato slice, burger patty with melted cheese, half a slice of bacon per burger (broken to fit), and a generous portion of Coca-Cola caramelized onions. Top with bun crown and serve immediately.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
Indenting the burger patties helps maintain shape and prevents them from puffing up while cooking.
02 -
Use regular Coca-Cola for caramelizing onions to achieve optimal sweetness and flavor; diet varieties lack necessary sugar.
03 -
Leftover components can be refrigerated separately for up to 3 days. Patties may be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating.