Description
These irresistible grilled burgers deliver juicy, flavorful patties topped with melted American cheese, crispy bacon, and a tangy homemade crack sauce. Perfectly grilled to charred perfection and assembled on toasted buns, these burgers satisfy every craving and come together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burgers
- 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 slices American cheese
- 8 slices cooked crispy bacon
- Dill pickles (sliced)
- Toasted burger buns
For the Crack Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of cayenne (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Prep the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until smooth. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator while you prepare the burgers to allow the flavors to meld.
- Shape the Patties: Divide the ground beef into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty about ¾-inch thick, making sure they are uniform for even cooking. Season both sides generously with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Grill the Patties: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the patties on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side without pressing down. Flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. During the last minute of grilling, add a slice of American cheese on each patty to melt.
- Toast the Buns: While the cheese is melting, place the burger buns cut side down on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until they become golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Assemble the Burgers: Spread a generous layer of the prepared crack sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add slices of dill pickles, place the grilled burger patty on top, and then layer with two slices of crispy bacon. Cover with the top bun.
- Serve: Serve the assembled burgers immediately with your favorite sides, such as fries or a salad, while the patties are still hot and juicy.
Notes
- Using an 80/20 ground beef blend ensures juicy and flavorful burgers due to the right fat content.
- Do not press down on the patties while grilling to retain juices.
- Allow the homemade crack sauce to chill for at least 10 minutes to enhance its flavor.
- Crispy bacon can be cooked ahead of time and kept warm.
- For extra smoky flavor, try adding a few chips of wood to your grill.
- Adjust the pinch of cayenne in the sauce to control spiciness to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: grilled burger, homemade burger, bacon cheeseburger, crack sauce, summer grilling, classic American burger
