Main Dishescarlsbadcravings5.0
BBQ Burgers
These BBQ Burgers are an amazingly juicy explosion of sweet, tangy, spicy, smokey, crispy deliciousness all at the same time. They’re smothered in homemade BBQ sauce, sharp cheddar, salty bacon, crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes and crispy onion strings. Of course, all of the toppings are customizable to make it YOUR best burger recipe! I’ve included tips and tricks on how to cook burgers (grilled or stove top), how to make ahead and how to freeze and my secret to the JUCIEST burgers!
👥 4 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 45 min⏳ Prep: 30 min🔥 Cook: 15 min👤 Jen📖 carlsbadcravings
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- bowl
- stove
- skillet
- baking dish
- whisk
- pot
- dutch oven
- oven
- baking sheet
- strainer
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Make Burgers
2
Add bread, 1/3 cup BBQ sauce, garlic and all seasonings to a large bowl. Mash together with a fork to form a chunky paste. Add the ground beef and gently mix everything together with your hands just until combined- don’t overmix!
cup homemade BBQ Sauce (or store-bought)1/3BBQ Sauce
3
Divide the mixture into 4 equal sections. Form each section into a loose, big ball. Flatten each ball with the palm of your hand until it is about 1-inch larger than your buns. Create a shallow depression in the middle of each patty so the outer ½-inch edges are almost twice as thick as the center (see photos in post).
4
Time permitting, cover patties tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least ⏱️ 15 minutes (cold patties stay intact better), while you cook your bacon, and prep your toppings. If you're making fried onion strings, make them at this point (see instructions below). DON'T bring patties to room temperature before cooking.
5
Stove Top
6
Leave 2 tablespoons bacon drippings behind in your cast iron skillet or heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the patties and cook until brown and slightly charred on one side, about ⏱️ 3-4 minutes.
7
Flip burgers and reduce heat to medium. Spread each patty with 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce and cover. Cook an addition ⏱️ 2-5 minutes, depending on how rare you like your burger, adding cheese the last ⏱️ 1-2 minutes and covering. Remove to a plate and tent with foil and let rest ⏱️ 5 minutes.
cup homemade BBQ Sauce (or store-bought)1/3BBQ Sauce
8
Grill
9
Grease grill and heat over medium-high heat. Once hot, add patties and cover. Cook until brown and slightly charred on one side, about ⏱️ 3-5 minutes.
10
Flip burgers (but do not press down) and spread each patty with 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce. Cover and cook an additional ⏱️ 3-5 minutes, or to desired doneness, adding cheese the last ⏱️ 1-2 minutes of grilling then cover. Remove to a plate and tent with foil and let rest ⏱️ 5 minutes.
cup homemade BBQ Sauce (or store-bought)1/3BBQ Sauce
11
Hamburger Buns
hamburger buns4
12
To toast hamburger buns, spread softened butter on the cut sides of the buns. Add to the grill, or skillet, cut side down and toast for about ⏱️ 1 minute or until golden.
hamburger buns4
13
Assemble
14
Top toasted buns with lettuce, followed by patties, desired amount of BBQ sauce, tomatoes, bacon and onion strings. Dig in!
lettucecup homemade BBQ Sauce (or store-bought)1/3BBQ Sauce
15
FRIED ONION STRINGS
16
Whisk buttermilk and egg together. Add onions to a shallow baking dish and pour buttermilk/egg mixture over top. Press the onions down so they're submerged as much as possible. Let them soak at room temperature for ⏱️ 15 minutes up to an hour, stirring and pushing down occasionally. Cover and refrigerate if soaking longer.
buttermilk (see DIY below)2 cupsegg1
17
When ready to fry onions, fill a Dutch oven or deep heavy-duty pot with approximately 2 inches of oil. Heat to 375 degrees F.
18
While heating, combine flour, panko, salt and pepper in a large bowl; set aside. Line a large baking sheet with paper towels; set aside.
19
Test the oil with a small pinch of panko; if it bubbles and fries, then it is hot enough. Using tongs, transfer a handful of onions from the buttermilk to the flour/panko mixture. Toss to combine, shake off any excess flour, then carefully transfer to the hot oil.
buttermilk (see DIY below)2 cups
20
Fry onions until lightly golden brown (just ⏱️ 1-2 minutes), watch closely! - they will continue to darken when baked. Remove fried onions with a spider fry strainer or fine mesh sieve to paper towels. Repeat with the remaining onion slices.
21
MAKE AHEAD: Fry onions according to directions. Let onions cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store onions at room temperature for up to three days.
Reviews & Ratings
Share your thoughts and feedback about this recipe
Write a Review
Community Feedback0 Reviews
Loading reviews...