Ingredients
Equipment
Method
For the Bacon Jam:
- Cook the Bacon: In a large cast iron skillet, sauté the chopped bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Keep a few tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Sauté the Onions: Add the diced onions to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat until the onions are soft and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper (if using). Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes spreadable. Set aside.
For the Burger Patties:
- Prepare the Patties: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and gently form them into patties, slightly larger than your buns to account for shrinkage during cooking. Use your finger to create a small divot in the center of each patty to prevent puffing up while grilling.
- Season the Patties: Season each patty with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Cook the Patties: Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness (or longer for well done). In the last minute of cooking, add a slice of gouda cheese to each patty and let it melt.
Assembling the Burgers:
- Toast the Buns: While the patties are cooking, toast the hamburger buns on the grill or in a toaster until golden brown.
- Spread Mayo on the Buns: Spread a thin layer of mayo on the bottom half of each toasted bun.
- Build the Burger: Place a lettuce leaf on the mayo, followed by the cheese-topped burger patty. Add a generous spoonful of bacon jam on top of the patty. Top with a slice of crispy bacon and cover with the top bun.
Serving:
- Serve your bacon jam burgers immediately with your favorite sides. Enjoy the perfect blend of juicy beef, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and sweet-savory bacon jam!
Notes
The calorie count is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For accuracy, check packaging or use a nutrition calculator.