Candied Bacon Maple Cheddar Burger

Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 8 burgers
Category: Dinner
Method: Grill
Cuisine: American

Description

This Candied Bacon Maple Cheddar Burger is ideal for summer BBQs! The ultimate bacon cheeseburger, topped with caramelized onions, homemade maple barbecue sauce, and candied bacon.

Ingredients

Candied Bacon

1 pound thick cut applewood smoked bacon
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Caramelized onions

3 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 large yellow onion, sliced thinly

Maple BBQ sauce

1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup real maple syrup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce ( I used Chipotle Tabasco)
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Burger

2 pounds ground beef ( I like to use 80/20 in burgers)
2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
8 buns, toasted if desired

Instructions

Candied Bacon: Prepare the candied bacon first.
Preheat oven to 375°. Line a large baking sheet (with sides) with foil. Place a baking rack on top of the foil (I in fact used a cooling rack).
Whisk together light brown sugar and pepper in a small bowl
Line bacon on the rack. Spread the sugar mixture evenly over the bacon.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning the pan once throughout the baking time.
When done, remove the pan from the oven and permit the bacon to cool on the rack.
Caramelized Onions: Heat butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions, salt, and sugar and cook for 20-25 minutes until the onions are golden brown and soft.
Maple BBQ Sauce: Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and permit the sauce to cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring repeatedly. Allow to cool.
Burgers: Mix meat and salt and pepper in a bowl. Divide mixture into 8 equal portions and form into patties.
Grill burgers for 4-5 minutes on all sides.
Immediately top with a slice of cheese and permit to melt. Remove the burgers from the grill and assemble, topping with BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, and candied bacon.