Want to make a smoky, juicy bacon cheeseburger at home that’ll rival the best burger joints? We’re big fans of burgers in my family, and these bacon cheeseburgers are on top of our list. Let me show you how it’s done, no drive-thru required!

Hands holding a mouthwatering bacon cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheddar cheese, and a toasted bun; crinkle-cut fries and a drink in the background. - 1

The ultimate bacon cheeseburger: juicy beef, melty cheese, crisp veggies, smoky bacon, all packed in a soft, pillowy bun. 🍔

I’m a firm believer that a really good bacon cheeseburger can fix just about anything. We’ve grilled more burgers than I can count, especially in the summer, but this is the one my family asks for on repeat because it nails the balance every single time — smoky, juicy, melty, and perfectly stacked so every bite just works .

Thick-cut smoked bacon delivers that salty crunch you can’t skip, and I always go for sharp cheddar because it stands up to the beef rather than disappearing into it. Fresh tomato, crisp lettuce, and sliced onion add that cool, crunchy contrast, while juicy (but not overly fatty) beef keeps things rich without being greasy. And if you hand me a choice of buns, I’m grabbing brioche every time — that soft, slightly sweet bite against all that savory goodness is pure burger bliss.

Four cheeseburger patties with melted cheddar cheese in a white skillet, featuring some browned bits and cheese around them—a hearty burger feast sizzling to perfection. - 2

I use the same pan (already oiled with bacon grease) to cook the burger patties. This adds flavor and reduces dishes. Win-win!

Indulge in a classic Cheese Burger with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, and savory sauce on a soft bun, served alongside crinkle-cut fries on parchment paper. - 3

To switch things up, sometimes I add somecaramelized onionson top

Pro tip : Layer with intention. Keeping your burger structured helps it stay together and stops it from getting soggy. Start with your sauced bun on the bottom, then add the lettuce to catch the juices. Then add your tomato, the patty with the melted cheese, then the onion, bacon, and the top bun.

Grilling tips

In the summer months, I’ll often make these burgers on the grill instead – I just love the smoky flavor. You’ll want to adjust the cook time depending on the thickness of the patties and the heat of your grill. I also like to toast the brioche buns, cut-side down, for just a minute.

Make-ahead tips

  • Bacon: Pre-cook the bacon, then let the strips cool to room temperature. Store them in a covered container in the fridge for up to three days.
  • Burger patties: Form them in advance. If I can cook them fresh, I prefer to do so, so the cheese melts perfectly. But if you’re pre-cooking them, store the cooked patties in the fridge for up to a day.
  • Toppings: Prep your toppings the day before by slicing, washing, and drying everything. Store the veggies in a covered container in the fridge to keep them fresh and crisp.
  • Enjoy: When it’s time to dig in, reheat the proteins, assemble the burgers, and take your first bite!
Hands holding a mouthwatering bacon cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheddar cheese, and a toasted bun; crinkle-cut fries and a drink in the background. - 4 Hands holding a mouthwatering bacon cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheddar cheese, and a toasted bun; crinkle-cut fries and a drink in the background. - 5

Bacon Cheeseburger – Perfected Recipe

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Bacon Cheeseburger - 6

Ingredients

  • â–˘ 8 slices bacon
  • â–˘ 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
  • â–˘ 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
  • â–˘ 8 slices sharp cheese
  • â–˘ 4 brioche buns
  • â–˘ Mayo, ketchup, and mustard (for the buns)
  • â–˘ Sliced tomato, onions, and lettuce

Instructions

  • Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until it’s crispy, about 10-12 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and wipe most of the oil out. 8 slices bacon
  • While the bacon is cooking, divide the meat into four equal portions and gently form them into burger patties. Place them on a plate and season them with salt and pepper. Hot tip : Don’t pack your patties too tightly. Gently shaping the ground meat keeps the texture tender and helps your burgers stay juicy, not dense. 1 ½ lb lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
  • Add the burger patties to the pan you cooked the bacon in and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Flip the burgers, top with two slices of cheese on each burger, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the burgers are fully cooked. 8 slices sharp cheese
  • Dress the buns with mayo, ketchup, and mustard (to your liking) then top with a burger patty, the bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onion. 4 brioche buns, Mayo, ketchup, and mustard, Sliced tomato, onions, and lettuce

Nutrition

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .

Hands holding a mouthwatering bacon cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheddar cheese, and a toasted bun; crinkle-cut fries and a drink in the background. - 7 Hands holding a mouthwatering bacon cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheddar cheese, and a toasted bun; crinkle-cut fries and a drink in the background. - 8

Did you make this?

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Savor a cheese burger topped with red onion rings and two strips of crispy bacon, served alongside crinkle-cut fries on parchment paper. - 9 Sliced cheeseburgers with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, tomato, and melted cheese on a bun, served with crinkle-cut fries and a glass of beer on parchment paper. - 10

Four burgers to try next

For more inspiration, check out all of my burger recipes !

Chicken Feta Spinach Burger (SO Juicy!)

Guacamole Burger

Lamb Burger Recipe

How to Make Salmon Burgers

Hands holding a mouthwatering bacon cheese burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheddar cheese, and a toasted bun; crinkle-cut fries and a drink in the background. - 11

Bacon Cheeseburger - Perfected Recipe

Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
  • 8 slices sharp cheese
  • 4 brioche buns
  • Mayo, ketchup, and mustard , for the buns
  • Sliced tomato, onions, and lettuce

Instructions

  • Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until it’s crispy, about 10-12 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and wipe most of the oil out. 8 slices bacon
  • While the bacon is cooking, divide the meat into four equal portions and gently form them into burger patties. Place them on a plate and season them with salt and pepper. Hot tip : Don’t pack your patties too tightly. Gently shaping the ground meat keeps the texture tender and helps your burgers stay juicy, not dense. 1 ½ lb lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
  • Add the burger patties to the pan you cooked the bacon in and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Flip the burgers, top with two slices of cheese on each burger, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the burgers are fully cooked. 8 slices sharp cheese
  • Dress the buns with mayo, ketchup, and mustard (to your liking) then top with a burger patty, the bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onion. 4 brioche buns, Mayo, ketchup, and mustard, Sliced tomato, onions, and lettuce

https://www.theendlessmeal.com/bacon-cheeseburger/