For weeks, Shane’s been asking me to pick up burgers when I’m at the grocery store. We eat so many burgers through the summer months though, that I really try to avoid starting that trend in March or April. I’d be all burgered out by July at that rate. But I caved when I sat down to make this week’s menu. With 4 straight days of 70+ degree weather in the forecast, how could I not? The grill was beckoning, and not adding at least one fun burger to the menu just seemed mean considering how much Shane’s been looking forward to them. He would have been perfectly happy if I’d picked up the premade frozen ones, but if we were going to do it, we were going to do it right! ๐
Stuffed cheddar bacon cheeseburgers seemed like a very good place to start this year’s burger affair. Bacon, cheddar, onions – they’re some of my favorite burger toppings – and while I usually pile them on top of my burger after it’s cooked, it turns out it’s even more fun to stuff them inside of the patties before throwing them on the grill. I won’t lie, I definitely feared we were going to wind up with cheese spilling out the sides of the burgers and making a giant mess on the grill, but it never happened. If you’re careful to seal the sides of the patties well when you form them, it’ll be smooth sailing. The cheese gets all melty and gooey inside with the salty bacon and scallions adding lots of flavor and color. These stuffed cheeseburgers would be a really fun change of pace for a summer barbecue, and if for some reason bacon and scallions aren’t your thing, I don’t see any reason you couldn’t adapt and substitute your favorites!
Stuffed Cheddar Bacon Cheeseburgers
adapted from Sargento Cheese and Confections of a Foodie Bride
2 slices bacon
1 1/3 – 1 1/2 lb ground beef (I used 85% lean)
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 scallion, minced
for serving:
4 hamburger rolls
lettuce, tomato, onion (or whatever toppings you like)
In a skillet over medium-low heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towel lined plate then crumble when cool enough to handle.
To make the burgers: Combine the ground beef, salt, pepper and worcestershire sauce. Gently mix until combined, but don’t overwork. Divide into 4 equal portions, then divide each of those portions in half. Form each portion into a thin patty. Top one of the patties with about 2 tablespoons of cheese, 1/4 of the crumbled bacon, and 1/4 of the minced scallion. Press a second patty over the filling and pinch the edges to seal completely. Gently shape into a burger, about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Repeat to make 4 stuffed burgers. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each patty (this will keep the burgers from puffing and swelling in the center as they cook).
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400-450 F). Oil the grates lightly (I use the tongs to hold a paper towel that’s been dipped in oil and rub it over the grates). Place the burgers on the grill (the side with the indentation should be facing up) and cook for about 4-5 minutes. Flip the burgers and cook for about 4-5 more minutes, or until they are cooked to your desired doneness.
Grill the rolls lightly, if desired, then serve the burgers on the rolls with your desired toppings.
Oh…onions, when I saw the photo yesterday I thought they were chopped up jalapeno peppers…which also sounds good to me actually. Great idea to put it all inside the burger. I am getting the same thing from the guys…”Let’s grill hamburgers!” Probably because I never make them indoors, we always save for grilling season. This one looks like a keeper…will give it a go.
I’m not much of a toppings kind of person. The only thing that goes on top of my burger is ketchup. Lots and lots of ketchup. But this does sound like a fun thing to try maybe for my dad since he loves cheese on his burgers. Having that surprise burst of cheese on the inside of the patty sounds kind of cool anyways ๐
Great way to celebrate the hot weather we’re about to have! We always cheat and get the frozen burgers. I really want to make some fun homemade ones sometime though.
I love stuffed burgers. My favorite is blue cheese with bacon.
We don’t eat a ton of red meat but do enjoy a good burger, especially in the summer months. These look perfectly cooked and now I think I’m going to crave a good stuffed burger!
Mmm, these look awesome. I rarely make stuffed burgers but I really need to.
These burgers were great, thanks for making them!
Now thats what I call a burger, big, juicy oh I love it already!
That flavor combination sounds really yummy. I wonder what the girls would think. J would love them, I’m sure. =)
Wooaahh!! Summers already arrived… And fun burgers r rolling in!! Watta lovely welcome!!! Tempting n inviting
These sound really good…I like the idea of cheese being inside the burger. Great recipe!
good one…really enjoy cooking this recipe http://www.simplechefrecipes.com/
Ah man! This burger looks sooo delicious!!
This looks like one GOOD burger.
All I have is an indoor George Foreman but I can just open my windows and enjoy the breeze while making these beauties!
Omg! Mouthwatering! ๐
Wow, you really did do it right. These burgers look incredible!
The first thing I thought was that they would probably burst open. I feel better knowing that yours didn’t!
You’re killing me today! This is the third post of yours I’ve read and the third I’ve pinned! I am absolutely starving after seeing this burger! And once again, WHYYY didn’t I listen when my husband tried to teach me how to work the grill? Gah.
Did you make the buns, too? I’ve been looking for a good whole wheat burger bun recipe!
@Erica – I didn’t make these, but if you’re looking for a recipe, I highly recommend this one:
http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2011/05/homemade-hamburger-rolls.html
I have made it substituting half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat and they were great!
Yum, I’ve always wanted to try stuffing burgers with tons-o-cheese for me and bacon or something else for Tony!!
Let the burger affair begin – with these first please! I love the looks of the stuffings. I was writing my menu plan for next week and have in big bold letters ‘burger any sort’ on the list. It’s sooo that time of year.
Hubs and I spent the weekend cleaning our patio and tending our garden area so we could grill and then eat our meal outside. Now that we’re all primed for grilling, we will have to try these. You had me at bacon. Yum.