A straightforward grilled beef burger with cheddar, crisp bacon, and your favorite fresh toppings. Serve with our cucumber and charred onion salad.
Makes: 8 burgers
Ingredients
3 pounds ground beef chuck (about 20% fat)
Kosher salt, to taste
8 ounces cheddar, thinly sliced
8 sesame buns, toasted
16 slices bacon, fully cooked
Lettuce, sliced tomato, red onion, and pickles, for serving
Method
Heat the grill to medium-high. Have the cooked bacon, cheese, buns, and toppings ready.
Divide the beef into 8 portions, about 6 ounces each. Shape gently into patties without packing tightly. Press a shallow indentation into the center of each.
Season both sides with salt. Grill, turning once, until a food thermometer inserted into the center from the side reads 160°F. Cooking time varies with patty thickness and grill heat; use temperature rather than color to judge doneness.
Add cheddar near the end of cooking and close the lid briefly to melt it. Transfer the cooked burgers to a clean plate.
Build each burger with a toasted bun, patty, bacon, and fresh toppings. Serve straight away.
Cook with confidence
Keep raw beef separate from ready-to-eat ingredients. Use clean utensils and a clean plate for cooked burgers. USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F. See USDA temperature guidance.