BBQ Grilled Burgers with Bacon and Cheese | Arteflame Recipe

Introduction

A BBQ grilled burger is a delicious way to enjoy smoky, tangy flavors. The combination of a juicy grilled beef patty, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and tangy BBQ sauce creates an irresistible burger perfect for any BBQ. Grilled on the Arteflame grill, this burger gets a perfect sear and can be customized with your favorite toppings!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 for juicy burgers)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 8 slices of cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• 8 burger buns
• 8 slices of bacon
• 2 tablespoons butter (for toasting buns)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings:

• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 8 lettuce leaves
• Pickles, sliced
• Extra BBQ sauce for serving
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for grilling toppings)

Instructions

1. Fire Up the Arteflame Grill

Start by lighting the Arteflame grill. Place three vegetable-oil-soaked napkins under the firewood and light them. Allow about 20 minutes for the grill to heat up, with the center grate perfect for searing the patties and the outer flat top ideal for grilling toppings and toasting buns.

2. Grill the Bacon

Place the bacon slices on the outer flat cooktop and grill them for 3-5 minutes per side until crispy. Move the bacon to a cooler part of the grill to keep warm.

3. Prepare the Burger Patties

In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape them into patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Make a small indentation in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up.

4. Grill the Burger Patties

Place the patties on the center grill grate. Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side, flipping only once. During the last minute of grilling, brush each patty with BBQ sauce and place a slice of cheese on top to melt. Grill the burgers until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F for medium doneness.

5. Toast the Buns

While the burgers are grilling, butter the burger buns and place them on the outer flat cooktop. Toast for 1-2 minutes until golden and crispy.

6. Grill the Onions

Drizzle vegetable oil on the outer flat top and grill the sliced onions until they are caramelized and soft, about 5-6 minutes.

7. Assemble the BBQ Grilled Burgers

Once the patties are cooked and the cheese is melted, place each burger on a toasted bun. Top with crispy bacon, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce.

8. Serve

Serve the BBQ burgers hot off the grill, with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping. Pair with fries or a fresh salad for the ultimate BBQ meal.

Tips

• BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce—whether it's sweet, spicy, or smoky—to match your flavor preference.
• Cheese Options: Pepper jack adds a spicy kick, but cheddar, Swiss, or gouda also work great on BBQ burgers.
• Grilled Pineapple: For a tropical twist, add a slice of grilled pineapple to your BBQ burger.

Variations

1. Spicy BBQ Burger: Add sliced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese for a spicy twist.
2. BBQ Bacon Avocado Burger: Top the burger with avocado slices, bacon, and extra BBQ sauce for a creamy, flavorful bite.
3. BBQ Mushroom Swiss Burger: Add grilled mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese for a savory BBQ combo.
4. Hawaiian BBQ Burger: Add grilled pineapple, ham, and pepper jack cheese for a sweet and smoky Hawaiian-style burger.
5. BBQ Blue Cheese Burger: Add crumbled blue cheese and caramelized onions for a bold flavor combination.

Best Pairings

• Sweet potato fries or French fries
• Grilled corn with butter and chili powder
• Coleslaw or potato salad
• A cold beer or iced tea
• Grilled watermelon slices for dessert

Conclusion

Grilling BBQ burgers on the Arteflame adds a smoky flavor to an already flavorful burger, combining juicy beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and BBQ sauce. This burger is a perfect addition to any BBQ, and the grilled toppings make it even better!