Bacon and Cheddar Smash Burgers
Bacon and Cheddar Smash Burgers are a delectable combination of juicy beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese. The patty is expertly smashed on a hot griddle to create a deliciously caramelized crust, while the bacon adds a smoky and savory flavor. With each bite, the rich and gooey cheddar cheese oozes out, completing this indulgent burger experience.
If you’ve never had Bacon and Cheddar Smash Burgers, you are missing out! This smash burger recipe for the Blackstone is easier than formal grilling. Dress the burger with your favorite condiments and serve. You may never go back to a traditional burger.
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This bacon cheddar burger recipe is perfect for your summer backyard entertaining. They are half-pound burgers, two quarter-pound beef patties per burger, that you can cook on a flat top grill, like a Blackstone Grill, in a cast iron pan on the stovetop, or on your gas or charcoal grill. You’ll just need a flat surface like a griddle pan for your grill.
What are Smash Burgers?
A smash burger is just that, smashed. Rather than making a burger patty, you start with a ball of ground beef, and, either using a cast-iron press or heavy-duty spatula, you smash the ball until it’s thin. The thinner burger cooks more quickly, is extremely juicy, and gets a bit of a caramelized edge.
What’s the best way to make Bacon Cheddar Smash Burgers?
Use a cast-iron skillet or flat griddle on your grill or make them on a flat-top grill like a Blackstone. I got a Blackstone for Christmas so I cooked the bacon, onions, and burgers at the same time. Learn how to cook bacon on a Blackstone griddle.
I have used a skillet on my cooktop to make bacon and cheddar smash burgers too. For this recipe, I used my Blackstone, because I love it. I will say it’s very easy with a larger cooking space but it’s not impossible on a smaller flat grill pan or large cast-iron skillet.
What can I put on a burger?
A smash burger is just about like any other burger so top it with things you like. In addition to the grilled onions, bacon, and Cheddar cheese you can add:
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Pickles
- BBQ Sauce
- Ketchup
- Mayo
- Mustard
Tips and Tricks for Making Excellent Smash Burgers
I’ve made these bacon and cheddar smash burgers a few times now and can share some tips and tricks.
- Don’t worry about smashing the ground beef. You want it on the thin side but smash only once. Don’t continue to press on it with your spatula or burger press. That’s when it will get dry.
- Once you smash the burger, don’t touch it until you’re ready to flip. I know it’s hard but just let it be.
- You can butter the buns before toasting but I don’t. I save the calories by just putting them on the griddle.
- If at all possible, cook the onions and bacon at the same time. Then cook the burgers. The burgers will not take as long.
- These are doubles, if you prefer a single smash burger, just adjust the recipe.
- If you’re serving more than two people, you can easily adjust the amounts of ground beef, bacon, and onions.
If you enjoy burgers, try my Colby Jack Cheeseburgers or French Onion Burger.
What can I serve with Bacon and Cheddar Smash burgers?
Serve your favorite cookout sides such as bacon ranch pasta salad, baked beans, or classic broccoli salad.
If you want a side to make on the Blackstone with the burgers this bacon fried corn is a delicious choice. Serve these hibachi shrimp, which is also made on a Blackstone, as an appetizer.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a 5-star review on the recipe card below.
Bacon and Cheddar Smash Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 4 slices bacon
- 4 slices of Cheddar cheese
- 2 Brioche buns
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Divide ground beef mixture into 4 – ¼ pound balls.
- Cook bacon to desired doneness.
- Drain bacon grease from skillet and saute onions until caramelized.
- Place the ground beef balls on a flat griddle or in a large skillet. They cook quickly so you can use one or two skillets if necessary.
- Press the beef until flat and allow to cook 5 – 8 minutes before flipping.
- Flip burgers and cook until the desired doneness is reached.
- Before removing, add onions, bacon, and Cheddar to each patty. Pour about a tablespoon of water onto the griddle and cover with a dome to melt the cheese. Leave covered for about a minute and check the cheese.
- In the meantime, place the buns, cut side down on the grill, and lightly toast. Watch them closely so they don’t burn. Remove to a plate.
- Once the cheese is melted, remove one patty to the bottom of the bun. Place a second patty on top. Repeat with the other two patties and bun.
- Dress the smash burger with condiments you like and serve.
