Bacon Burgers with Bacon Onion Balsamic Jam

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Bacon Burgers with Bacon-Onion Balsamic Jam

Annie and I didn’t plan in advance what meals we’d make while I was there, though a certain dessert (which you’ll see Friday) was on our list. She actually had this recipe on her menu plan for the prior week but wasn’t able to make it. When I saw it on the menu board in her kitchen, I told her how awesome it sounded. We decided to make it for dinner the following night, and that was a very good decision. Perhaps my favorite part of cooking this dinner was how excited Andrew got when he found out it would be cooked on the grill.

This burger is, without a doubt, a bacon lover’s burger. Not only is there bacon in the jam, but bacon is also cooked right into the burger. The jam is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I love caramelized onions, and adding bacon and balsamic to them makes them completely irresistible. The burgers are incredibly juicy and are almost sinful when topped with the jam. Since I obviously couldn’t bring home a burger to Eric, I will definitely be making these soon so that he can experience their awesomeness.

Bacon Burgers with Bacon-Onion Balsamic Jam

  • YIELD: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • For the jam: 

  • 4 thick slices applewood-smoked bacon, cut crosswise into ½-inch strips

  • 1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar

  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • ⅓ cup water

  • For the burgers:

  • 2 thick slices applewood-smoked bacon

  • 1½ pounds ground beef (85% lean)

  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 4 hamburger buns, split

  • Sliced Gruyere cheese, optional

Directions
  • 1

    Start by making the jam. Cook the bacon in a large skillet set over medium heat until lightly browned but not crisp, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to paper towels to drain. Discard all but about 2 tablespoons of oil from the skillet.

  • 2

    Add the onion to the skillet, season with salt and pepper to taste, cover and cook for 2 minutes. Uncover and add a splash of water, then scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cover and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, mustard and water.

    Return the bacon to the skillet and simmer until the liquid has thickened and most of it has been absorbed, 2-4 minutes. Transfer the jam to a small bowl, let cool slightly and cover with plastic wrap. The jam can be left at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 2 days. If refrigerated, gently reheat before serving.

  • 3

    To make the burgers, mince the bacon. Transfer to a large bowl, then add the beef, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Gently combine until well mixed but not overworked. Form into 4 equal patties, each about ¾-1-inch thick. Using your thumb, make a deep depression in the center of each patty to prevent them from swelling during cooking.

    Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat (400-450º). Grill the burgers over direct heat until grill marks form, 4-5 minutes. Flip and continue cooking an additional 4 minutes for medium doneness. For more well done burgers, cook an additional minute. As the burgers are finishing up, add cheese if desired. Transfer to a plate and tent with aluminum foil. Toast the buns on the grill for about 1 minute. Top each burger with about ¼ cup of jam and serve immediately.

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COMMENTS: ( 12 )

12 responses to “Bacon Burgers with Bacon Onion Balsamic Jam”

  1. Annie says:

    I definitely think you need to make these soon for Eric. He is missing out! I have had such fun blogging together this week, and reliving our time together. I’m already dying to do it again!

  2. Shawnda says:

    I loved those! It sounds like you guys had so much fun, thanks for sharing with the recaps.

  3. Laura says:

    Yum! Too funny that you all blogged a bacon jam, as well as me this week. Me likes! Heavenly on burgers. Nice placemat too – I just picked up the same one at Target last weekend. Great place for prop shopping!

  4. Rochelle says:

    YUM!
    I swear, every single recipe on your blog makes my mouth water. I think we have the same food taste…I love every.single.recipe that you post.

  5. Courtney, I love your blog! So glad to have found your beautiful space here. These burgers look incredible, too. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing more from you!

  6. I’m not sure what sounds better the jam or the burger:-)

  7. Anna says:

    This is really something to look forward to. You can never go wrong with bacon…Or burgers for that matter. I am already looking forward for your bacon Burger for lunch, just a few minutes after I had dinner. Yeah! I am not overexcited, Am I?
    Thanks for posting this!

  8. sara says:

    Ooooooh, yum, these burgers sound SO delicious! Love the flavors, I bet these are juicy and amazing! 🙂

  9. eRiN says:

    These were SO GOOD!!! Everyone loved them 😀

  10. […] burgers have been a long time coming. I drooled Homer Simpson style (twice) when Annie and Courtney first posted them, and then again when Josie did. They were just as good as I hoped. I mean, with […]

  11. robin says:

    thanks for sharing..

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