Description
This BBQ Bourbon Burger recipe features juicy grilled beef patties glazed with a sweet and tangy bourbon sauce, topped with a creamy BBQ mayo, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for summer cookouts or a satisfying weekend meal, these burgers combine bold flavors with a smoky char from the grill.
Ingredients
Scale
Burger Sauce
- 6 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
Bourbon Glaze
- 6 tablespoons bourbon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Burger Patties
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- Salt & pepper to taste
Toppings and Extras
- 4-6 strips bacon (optional)
- 4 burger buns
- Butter for toasting buns
- Lettuce to taste
- Tomato to taste
- Red onion to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Burger Sauce: Combine mayo, BBQ sauce, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl using a spoon. Mix well and refrigerate until needed to allow flavors to meld.
- Make the Bourbon Glaze: In another small bowl, mix bourbon, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Set aside for glazing the burgers later.
- Cook the Bacon: Fry the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until they are crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to high heat to prepare for cooking the burgers.
- Form the Burger Patties: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, Italian breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently by hand, being careful not to overwork the meat. Shape into four evenly sized patties and press a small divot into the center of each to promote even cooking.
- Grill the Burgers: Reduce the grill heat to medium-high. Place the patties on the grill and baste with the bourbon glaze. Cook for approximately 6 minutes, then flip the burgers, baste the other side, and grill for an additional 6 minutes or until cooked through to your preferred doneness.
- Toast the Buns: Preheat a skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Butter the cut sides of the burger buns and place them in the skillet, toasting until golden and crisp, about a few minutes. Alternatively, you can toast buns on the grill.
- Assemble the Burgers: Spread the prepared burger sauce on the toasted buns, place the glazed burger patties on top, add crispy bacon (if using), and finish with fresh lettuce, tomato slices, and red onion as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful BBQ Bourbon Burgers.
Notes
- You can omit the bacon for a lighter version.
- Adjust the amount of bourbon glaze to your taste preference.
- Use fresh ground beef with a good fat content (80/20) for juicy burgers.
- Make sure not to over-handle the meat to keep burgers tender.
- Check burger doneness with a meat thermometer; 160°F (71°C) is recommended for ground beef.
- Optional: Add cheese slices during the last minute of grilling for cheeseburgers.
