Best Classic Bacon Cheeseburger Recipe

It’s grilling season, so you know what that means: burger time! There’s nothing quite like a homemade burger, especially a classic bacon cheeseburger that's hot off the grill, oozing with cheese, and piled high with crispy bacon. It’s Ree Drummond’s go-to dish for the Fourth of July. She’s known for dishing out all-American classics, like this best bacon cheeseburger, loaded hot dogs, and BBQ sides at her patriotic summer party. But just like any good burger recipe, these easy bacon cheeseburgers shouldn’t be limited to just one day a year. They’re the perfect addition to any backyard cookout—make them one of your ground beef recipe staples for weeknight dinners. They only take 30 minutes to make and can easily be adapted to your family’s preferences. While Ree has strong feelings for her bacon cheeseburger recipe (“I firmly believe our burgers are magical,” she says), you can change up the toppings based on what you like best. Or, serve them all on the side so you can build your own ultimate bacon cheeseburger.  

How do you make bacon burgers?

Bacon cheeseburgers don’t need much to make them tasty; the melty cheddar and smoky bacon already add plenty of flavor. These patties are simply seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and a few dashes of hot sauce for a savory taste with a bit of spice. The burgers are formed into thin 7-inch-wide patties and grilled until medium doneness. Top them with the classics: cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and dill pickles.

How do you make crispy bacon?

You can serve bacon with just about anything—whether it’s a side for breakfast eggs, a candied garnish on ice cream sundaes, or a topping for grilled burgers. If there’s one thing that sets these cheeseburgers apart from all other burgers, it’s the perfectly cooked, crispy bacon. This recipe calls for frying bacon in a skillet on the stovetop. It’s a classic method to get crisp bacon in a matter of minutes, but if you prefer a less messy approach, you can also cook the bacon in the oven.