Meet your new cookout favorite! This Western BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger features a juicy grilled burger stacked with melty cheddar, crispy bacon, sweet-smoky BBQ sauce, and crunchy fried onions. It's a nod to the classic Western burger-big flavor, simple steps, guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Why this Recipe Works
- Restaurant flavor at home: BBQ, bacon, cheddar, and crispy onions hit every craveable note.
- Grill or stovetop: Works great on a gas/charcoal grill or cast-iron skillet.
- Quick prep: Bacon bakes while the grill heats; dinner's on in ~30 minutes.
- Kid-approved: Sweet-smoky sauce and crunchy toppings win picky eaters.
- Customizable: Swap cheeses, add onion rings, or dial the heat with spicy BBQ.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef (80/20): The fat keeps burgers juicy; the thumb-indent prevents dome-shaping as they cook.
- BBQ rub + sauce: Use your favorite blend or try my all-purpose BBQ rub seasoning made using pantry staples. For the sauce, I prefer a sweet sauce with a hint of spice, but feel free to use your favorite sauce.
- Cheese: Cheddar brings sharpness; American melts ultra-smooth if you prefer that diner style.
- Bacon: Oven-baked for even crispness and less mess.
- Fried onions: Use crispy fried onions for speed or swap in onion rings for the classic Western vibe.
- Buns: Soft brioche or potato buns toast beautifully and hold the stack.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat the grill & cook bacon: Clean and oil the grill grates and preheat to medium-high. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then bake the bacon at 375°F for 18-20 minutes, until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Form & season patties: Divide 1⅓ lb beef into 4 equal portions (around ⅓ lb each). Gently press into patties and make a thumb-size indent in the center (helps promote even cooking). Season both sides with BBQ rub.
- Grill the burgers: Place the patties on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes until juices bead on top. Then flip and cook for 2 minutes. Top each with cheddar; close the lid for around 1 minute to melt. For food safety, ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F using an instant-read thermometer.
On stovetop: use a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and the same timings.
- Assemble: Drizzle BBQ sauce on the bottom bun, add a burger patty, 3 half-slices of bacon. Top with more sauce, fried onions (or an onion ring), lettuce, and tomato, then the top bun.
Expert Tips
- Don't overwork the meat: Gentle handling helps produce tender burgers.
- Season after forming: Keeps patties from tightening up.
- Melt matters: Add cheese with 1-2 minutes to go, lid closed.
- Sauce strategy: Sauce the bun and the bacon layer to maximize flavor in every bite.
- Make it a "Western" copycat: Swap crispy onions for onion rings and American cheese for that fast-food classic
What to Serve with BBQ Bacon Cheeseburgers
This classic Western bacon cheeseburger goes great with seasoned fries or onion rings. My homemade air fryer sweet potato wedges are another great choice.
My southern-style coleslaw and potato salad are also good options for a backyard cookout.
For a green option, my broccoli salad is a perfect pairing.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy: Swap in pepper jack cheese and top with pickled jalapeños.
- Smash Burgers: Form burgers into 8 very thin patties and cook on a Blackstone or in a cast-iron skillet
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Store buns and toppings separately.
Reheat leftovers in a covered skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
BBQ sauce, bacon, cheese, and crispy onions/onion rings-a combo popularized by the Carl's Jr./Hardee's Western Bacon Cheeseburger.
For safety, cook ground beef to 160°F internal temperature. (An instant-read thermometer removes guesswork.)
I highly recommend only flipping your burgers once. Let them sit on the first side until the juices begin to collect at the top. This indicates the fat is beginning to render. Then flip once and let them cook through. This will help develop a nice char on the burgers for maximum flavor.
More Recipes
📖 Recipe
Western BBQ Bacon Cheeseburgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1⅓ pounds ground beef, 80/20 preferred
- 1 Tablespoon BBQ Rub Seasoning
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 6 slices thick cut bacon
- ¼ cup BBQ Sauce
- ¼ cup fried onions
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 4 hamburger buns, brioche or potato bun
Instructions
- Clean and oil your grill grates, then preheat to medium-high heat.
- While the grill heats, place the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and place in a 375℉ oven. Cook the bacon for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until it is crisp. Then transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Divide the beef into 4 equal portions, around ⅓ pound each, and form them into balls. Press each ball into a patty and make a depression in the center of the patty with your thumb. This helps the burgers cook more evenly. Season the burger patties with BBQ rub seasoning.
- Place the patties on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the juices begin collecting on the top side. Then, flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Top with the cheddar cheese and cook for another minute to melt the cheese.
Assemble the Burgers
- Drizzle the bottom half of a bun with BBQ sauce, then add a burger patty. Top with 3 half pieces of bacon, then drizzle with more BBQ sauce. Add fried onions and top with lettuce, tomato, and any of your other favorite toppings.
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
Leave a Reply