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Ultimate Bacon Onion Smash Burgers with Cheese

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Prepare yourself for a culinary adventure like no other with the ultimate Bacon Onion Smash Burgers with Cheese. The perfect combination of juicy beef, crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and melted cheese will leave you craving more.

Ultimate Bacon Onion Smash Burgers with cheese in a basket on a parchment printed paper with onion straws on the side.

Calling all burger aficionados! If you’re on a quest for the ultimate mouthwatering burger experience, look no further.

Brace yourself for the irresistible combination of juicy beef patties, crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and gooey cheese. Get ready to sink your teeth into the ultimate Bacon Onion Smash Burgers with Cheese! A Heavenly Delight for Burger Lovers!

We love our Blackstone griddle! Cooking on a flat top grill is fun and easy. So…when I saw the newest trend for “Smash Burgers” I had to hop aboard the train! (Okay maybe I didn’t hop! Maybe it was more a slow crawl…but I got there!)

Hands down this is the easiest way to prepare a delicious juicy burger! I may never go back to shaping burger patties again, and neither will you once you try this easy method to the perfect burger.

What You’ll Need to Make the Smash Burger

  • 1 lb. 80/20 Ground Chuck – the higher the fat content, the juicier the burger.
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 Tablespoons Seasoned Bread Crumbs – You can substitute plain bread crumbs.
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, seasoning salt or Blackstone Whiskey Burger seasoning, and black pepper.
  • One large white onion, thinly sliced.
  • 4 – 8 slices of Cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack Cheese, or cheese of your choice.
  • 8 slices, thick cut, applewood, bacon, cooked crispy.
  • Favorite Toppings and condiments – Lettuce, sliced tomatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, thousand island dressing.
  • 4 Brioche Buns

How to Make Smash Burger Patties

To create a truly phenomenal burger, start with the foundation—the patty. Select high-quality ground beef, preferably with a good fat content for maximum flavor.

In a large bowl add ground beef, egg, seasoned bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoning salt and black pepper.

Tip: Why add bread crumbs? Bread Crumbs help bind the meat together, and not crumble when smashed. It also helps reduce the amount of shrinkage to the patty and retain the flavor from the fat. It’s not a lot of bread crumbs…just enough to do the job!

Large bowl with ground chuck, seasonings, egg, and bread crumbs.

Mix the patty ingredients until well combined.

Divide the meat into four evenly sized portions and gently form them into loose balls. Set on a baking sheet while the gas griddle, or cast iron skillet, preheats.

It’s important the grill be hot! We want to get a quick sear on the burgers once they’re smashed.

Ground chuck formed into balls for the smash burgers.

How To Properly “Smash” and Cook a Smash Burger

There are a couple of ways to “Smash” a burger! We’ve tried several methods and found that using a piece of parchment paper and a burger press work best. The parchment paper prevents the raw chuck from sticking to the “press”.

TIP: You can also use a heavy spatula if you do not have a burger press and don’t want to go to the expense of purchasing one. I recommend a sturdy metal one.

Prepare a cast-iron skillet, or griddle, by drizzling a little olive oil evenly over the surface. The surface should be medium-hot.

TIP: I cook the slices of bacon first and use the bacon fat to caramelize the onions. Flavor baby!! But you can also use store bought pre-cooked bacon for ease.

The Onions

Caramelized onions are the secret ingredient that elevates this burger to new heights.

Place a small handful, or large handful, depending on your taste, of fresh sliced onion down on the cooking surface. You’ll need four equal piles. The onions will begin to caramelize as they grill.

Nothing better than caramelized onions on a burger!

Onions down on a hot griddle surface with two meat balls on top of two of the piles.

Smashing the Burgers

Place the balls of ground beef on top of the onions.

Grab a sturdy spatula, or burger press, place a square piece of parchment paper down on top of each ball, and press each ball firmly, smashing down until it forms a thin patty.

Burger press pressing down on top of each ground beef ball, smashing them.

The technique of smashing the patty creates a delightfully crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy and tender.

You determine the thickness of each burger depending on how hard you press down on the beef patties. Thin smash burgers have deliciously crispy edges with a nice crust.

Slightly thicker smash burgers are golden brown and, in my opinion, create the best hamburger. Juicy perfection!

Smashed burgers on hot griddle cooking.

Say Cheese!

Now, let’s talk about the crown jewel—the cheese. While there are numerous cheese options that pair beautifully with a burger, I recommend using a melty, gooey variety such as cheddar cheese, American cheese, or Pepper Jack cheese.

Place one, or two, slices of cheese on top of each patty during the final moments of cooking, allowing it to melt perfectly and blanket the meat in a layer of cheesy goodness.

We’re not messing around here friends. This is a Bacon Cheeseburger!

Assembling the Perfect Smash Burger

This is the perfect time, while the cheese is melting, to toast the top bun and bottom bun. I love a toasted Brioche Bun for this burger. Any favorite bun will work… I just prefer the soft buttery texture of a Brioche.

This is about creating the best smash burger your Nest will love! As I always say “You do you!”.

I like to create a toppings bar for guests to individualize each of their burgers.

Burger being assembled.

Idea’s for Burger Toppings

  • Green leaf lettuce, shredded lettuce, or spring mix.
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Condiments: Mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, thousand island dressing, pickles, BBQ sauce, special burger sauce, Crispy Onion Straws, and relish.
  • Bacon, Pastrami, Chili, or Ham.

I like to use Litehouse thousand island dressing for my “secret sauce” on the top and bottom of each bun. Then I begin layering with shredded lettuce, tomato, the smash burger patty, and bacon!

Placing the lettuce and tomato on the bottom helps to keep the top from sliding off during consumption! Very important, unless you like wearing your condiments! Which I often do! Nothing sexier than a splash of burger grease behind each earand all down the front of you! Please tell me I’m not alone!

Close up shot of a fully made Smash Burger!

Q & A for Blackstone BBQ Bacon Smash Burgers

  • What makes a burger a smash burger? A smash burger is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a loosely packed ball of ground beef that is placed on a hot grill or pan, and smashed thinly into a patty with a spatula or burger press.
  • What makes a “smash burger” so special? Smashing a burger on the grill creates a crispy golden brown sear on the outside of the burger locking in all the juices and flavor.
  • What’s the best blend for a smash burger? A higher fat content is best for a smash burger since you are creating a thinner patty. Too lean, and you’ll end up with a dry burger. I recommend an 80/20 blend or creating your own grind.
  • How do you smash a burger without a press? You can use a metal spatula or a small cast iron skillet to press the meat down on your grill.
  • How long should you cook your smash burgers? They should be cooked on a really hot griddle for about 2 – 3 minutes per side to keep them juicy.
  • Do you need to put oil down on the grill for smash burgers? Yes! This not only prevents the burger from sticking to the grill, or pan, it helps create that crispy sear!

Great Summer Side Dishes for Burgers

Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply indulging in a weekend treat, these burgers are guaranteed to impress. So gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and get ready to savor every incredible bite!

Happy Smashing!

Photo of Norine and signature.
Yield: 4 burgers

Ultimate Bacon Onion Smash Burgers with Cheese

Ultimate Smash Burger on a printed piece of parchment paper with onion straws.

Prepare yourself for a culinary adventure like no other with the ultimate Bacon Onion Smash Burgers with Cheese. The perfect combination of juicy beef, crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and melted cheese will leave you craving more.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. (80/20) Ground Chuck - the higher the fat content, the juicier the burger.
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 Tablespoons Seasoned Bread Crumbs - You can substitute plain bread crumbs.
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon seasoning salt or Blackstone Whiskey Burger seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • One large white onion, thinly sliced.
  • 4 - 8 slices of Cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack Cheese, or cheese of your choice.
  • 8 slices, thick cut, applewood, bacon, cooked crispy.
  • 4 Brioche Buns

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix ground beef, egg, seasoned bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoning salt and black pepper, until well combined.

Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions. Roll each portion into a loosely formed ball. Place on a plate or baking sheet.

Prepare a cast-iron skillet, or griddle, by drizzling a little olive oil evenly over the surface. The surface should be medium-hot.

Place a small handful, or large handful, depending on your taste, of fresh sliced onion down on the cooking surface. In four equal piles. One for each ball of meat. The onions will begin to caramelize as they grill.

Place a formed ball of meat on top of each pile of onions. Place a square of parchment paper on top of each ball of meat. Using a Burger press, or sturdy metal spatula, press down on top of the parchment paper "smashing" the burger to about 1/4 inch thick. (It can be thicker depending upon your individual taste.) Remove parchment paper.

Cook each side 2–3 minutes. Watch that the onions do not burn. Top each burger with one or two slices of cheese.

While cheese is melting, toast the top and bottom of each bun on the grill top.

Remove burgers and buns to a serving platter.

Top each burger with 2 slices of bacon. Allow each guest to finish assembling their individual burger with their favorite toppings. Ideas in the Notes.

Notes

Favorite Toppings and condiments - Lettuce, sliced tomatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, thousand island dressing.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1082Total Fat: 61gSaturated Fat: 31gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 320mgSodium: 1688mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 55g

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