Home-Ground Burgers with Bacon, Cheese, and Fresh Thyme
Home-Ground Burgers with Bacon, Cheese, and Fresh Thyme
Ingredients
For the Burger Patties
- 6 ounces bacon, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced or shaved
- 2 pounds chuck beef, cut into 1-inch pieces for grinding
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning patties
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning patties
- 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
For Assembly and Serving
- 4 seeded burger buns
- 4 cheese slices, such as cheddar or American
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced into rings
- 4 lettuce leaves
- as needed ketchup, optional, for serving
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet, place the diced bacon over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the fat has rendered out. Remove the crispy bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
⏱️ 8 min
- 2
Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Sauté over medium heat until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chopped fresh thyme and minced garlic to the pan and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
⏱️ 8 min
- 3
In a large bowl, combine the cut chuck beef pieces, the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, the reserved crispy bacon bits, Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly by hand until all ingredients are well distributed.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Attach a meat grinder to a stand mixer or use a standalone meat grinder. Feed the prepared meat mixture through the grinder. Grind the meat to your desired fineness. For a coarser texture, grind once; for a finer texture, you can grind twice.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Once the meat is ground, gently form it into 4 equally sized burger patties, about 1-inch thick. Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Season both sides of the formed burger patties generously with additional salt and fresh ground black pepper. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil evenly over the patties.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Preheat a grill to medium to medium-high heat (approximately 375-400°F). Place the seasoned burger patties on the hot grill. At the same time, place the seeded burger buns, cut-side down, on the grill to toast. Also, place the sliced red onion rings directly on the grill to soften and char slightly.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
Cook the burgers for 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness. Toast the buns for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Cook the onion slices for 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until tender and slightly caramelized. Once the burgers reach your desired doneness, place one slice of cheese on top of each patty and close the grill lid for 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt.
⏱️ 10 min
- 9
To assemble, place a cheese-topped burger patty on the bottom half of a toasted bun. Layer with a slice of fresh tomato, grilled red onion slices, and a lettuce leaf. Top with the other half of the bun.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Serve the burgers immediately, optionally cut in half, with ketchup on the side if desired. These burgers pair wonderfully with french fries.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Home-Ground Burgers with Bacon, Cheese, and Fresh Thyme
For the Burger Patties
- 6 ounces bacon, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced or shaved
- 2 pounds chuck beef, cut into 1-inch pieces for grinding
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning patties
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning patties
- 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
For Assembly and Serving
- 4 seeded burger buns
- 4 cheese slices, such as cheddar or American
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced into rings
- 4 lettuce leaves
- as needed ketchup, optional, for serving
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet, place the diced bacon over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the fat has rendered out. Remove the crispy bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
⏱️ 8 min - 2
Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Sauté over medium heat until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chopped fresh thyme and minced garlic to the pan and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
⏱️ 8 min - 3
In a large bowl, combine the cut chuck beef pieces, the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, the reserved crispy bacon bits, Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly by hand until all ingredients are well distributed.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Attach a meat grinder to a stand mixer or use a standalone meat grinder. Feed the prepared meat mixture through the grinder. Grind the meat to your desired fineness. For a coarser texture, grind once; for a finer texture, you can grind twice.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Once the meat is ground, gently form it into 4 equally sized burger patties, about 1-inch thick. Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Season both sides of the formed burger patties generously with additional salt and fresh ground black pepper. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil evenly over the patties.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Preheat a grill to medium to medium-high heat (approximately 375-400°F). Place the seasoned burger patties on the hot grill. At the same time, place the seeded burger buns, cut-side down, on the grill to toast. Also, place the sliced red onion rings directly on the grill to soften and char slightly.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
Cook the burgers for 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness. Toast the buns for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Cook the onion slices for 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until tender and slightly caramelized. Once the burgers reach your desired doneness, place one slice of cheese on top of each patty and close the grill lid for 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt.
⏱️ 10 min - 9
To assemble, place a cheese-topped burger patty on the bottom half of a toasted bun. Layer with a slice of fresh tomato, grilled red onion slices, and a lettuce leaf. Top with the other half of the bun.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Serve the burgers immediately, optionally cut in half, with ketchup on the side if desired. These burgers pair wonderfully with french fries.
⏱️ 2 min