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A fun and tasty grilling recipe, this Bacon Cheeseburger have amazing flavor, are super easy, and absolutely irresistible.
We love making these Bacon Cheeseburger, the onions really complement the cheeseburger so well that they are one of our go-to ways of serving them.
If you have never tried Coca-Cola Onions before, you are really missing out. They are absolutely amazing and you can use them on so many things.
I love it when an easy recipe comes together. With just a little effort, you can turn a good burger into something amazing.
The onions get a nice caramelized flavor that really pulls off the coca-cola and enhances the flavor of the onions, and you will almost just want to eat these menu items by themselves.
And, maybe it’s just me, but I think these burgers are social media quality. They look just as great as they taste!
It is just an all-around fun recipe that we have been making for years, we used to have them when we lived in Chicago and got hooked, so we started making them at home and end of story!
If you are looking for a different and amazing recipe, I highly suggest you try these Bacon Cheeseburger!
Some of my other favorite sandwich recipes that we have on our site include: Grilled Italian Sausage Sandwiches, Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches and Egg Salad Sandwiches!
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE BACON CHEESEBURGER:
- FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- WHAT IS THE FLAVOR OF THE ONIONS?
- CAN I USE OTHER CHEESES?
- WHY DO YOU ADD BBQ SAUCE TO YOUR BURGER MIXTURE?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Bacon Cheeseburgers with Coca-Cola Onions
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- The onions are super easy to make and so irresistible.
- You can dress your hamburgers however you’d like.
- The best part is, this makes a larger batch, enough to serve the whole family.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Sweet onions
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
- Coca-Cola
- Ground beef
- BBQ sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cheddar cheese
- Brioche buns
- Tomato slices
- Lettuce
- Bacon
HOW TO MAKE BACON CHEESEBURGER:
- Cut the onions into ¼ inch rounds discarding the root and skin. Separate the rings and set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the olive oil, onions, salt, and pepper, stir to coat the onions in the oil and seasonings. Cook, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes until the onions are translucent and starting to soften.
- Add the Coca-Cola to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Continue to cook until caramelized, browned, soft, and almost all of the liquid is cooked out, 15-20 minutes. Take off the heat and set aside.
- While you are cooking the onions, make the burgers. Mix the ground beef, bbq sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until combined. I feel using my hands makes it easier to mix.
- Divide the meat into 6 even portions and make them into patties, make an indention in the middle of the burgers so they don’t plump in the center while grilling, place on a sheet tray until ready to grill.
- Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burgers, cook for about 5-8 minutes on the first side, flip them over and continue to cook until your desired temperature is reached. Do not overcook, at 165°F they are well done. Take off the heat and add a slice of cheese to each burger to melt.
- Place a bottom of a brioche bun on your serving plate. Top with lettuce and a slice of tomato. Add a burger patty followed by a piece of bacon broken in half so it will fit. Top with the Coca-Cola onions and add the top bun. Serve immediately.
FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT IS THE FLAVOR OF THE ONIONS?
The onions are sweet and caramelized with a hint of unique flavor from the coke. They are not overwhelmingly Coke flavored but it has a hint of something that will make your guests go, what is that?
CAN I USE OTHER CHEESES?
Absolutely, use whatever cheese you like on your burgers. Some of our favorites include: American, white cheddar, pepper jack, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Gruyere.
WHY DO YOU ADD BBQ SAUCE TO YOUR BURGER MIXTURE?
The addition of bbq sauce in the burger mix makes it sweet and addictive, however, the patties will be a little softer from the added sauce, just a warning to be careful while flipping the burgers on the grill so they don’t fall apart.
You can also cook them in a skillet on the stove or bake them.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Want to take these juicy burgers to the next level? I’ve got a list of things that will help.
- Burger sauce: A swipe of ranch, bbq sauce, or a drizzle of added garlic butter on the toasted bun adds major flavor.
- Avocado slices: Creamy and cool, they pair perfectly with the crispy bacon and caramelized onions.
- Fried egg: A runny yolk makes this feel like a brunch burger dream.
- Pickles or jalapeños: Add some zip or heat to balance the melted cheese and sweet onions.
- American cheese: Not just cheddar! Slices of cheese like American make this taste like one of the best fast food bacon cheeseburgers—like a burger king bacon cheeseburger or sonic’s take.
- Crispy onion rings: For an extra crunch and a nod to a western bacon cheeseburger.
- French fries on the side. Or hey, put them on the burger. This is your go-to burger king sandwich moment.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
No worries if you’re missing an ingredient or two. There are easy swaps for this perfect burger:
- Cheese: Swap cheddar with American cheese, pepper jack, Swiss, or gouda for different melty goodness.
- Ground beef: Use lean meat if preferred, but 80/20 gives the best texture of each burger and that flame-grilled patty vibe. Ground turkey or chicken can work for a face lift on the classic.
- Sweet brioche buns: Try toasted sesame buns or even pretzel rolls for a change.
- Coca-Cola onions: You can try root beer or Dr. Pepper for a fun twist on the delicious fresh starchy taste of the caramelized onions.
- Bacon: No slices of bacon on hand? Use crispy onion rings, pancetta, or leave it off for a hard pass.
- Grill type: If you don’t have a gas grill or charcoal grill, use a cast iron skillet on the stovetop. Works great and still gives a golden brown crust.
- BBQ sauce: No worries if you’re out. Add Worcestershire sauce for a smoky touch.
HOW TO STORE:
REFRIGERATOR: Store the ingredients separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for any leftovers for up to 3 days.
FREEZER: The burgers can be frozen in a freezer container where they will keep for up to 3 months. To defrost remove from freezer to the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat the burger in the microwave or oven until warmed. Reheat the onions in the microwave or skillet until warm.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- This makes a nice large 6 burger batch, but you can double it.
- Other cheeses can be used, see above on other suggestions.
- These can be frozen, see above on how to do that.
- We like to have the onions be the star and do not add any additional sauces, the burger is nice and juicy and flavorful without them. But, if you love sauce, you can add more bbq sauce, ranch, honey mustard, ketchup, A1 sauce, or mustard.
- Other yummy toppings ideas: avocado, pickles, jalapenos, or a fried egg.
- We like to use a higher quality ground beef, so use at least 80/20 for this recipe.
- We like to use thick-cut bacon for a heavier bacon flavor, but you can use whatever you have on hand or leave it off completely.
Looking for that all-American recipe that is just a little bit different, but in the best way? You need to try this Bacon Cheeseburger!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this BACON CHEESEBURGER let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Bacon Cheeseburgers with Coca-Cola Onions
Ingredients
For the Coca-Cola Onions:
- 4 medium sweet onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
For the burgers:
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- ¼ cup bbq sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For assembly:
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 6 brioche buns
- 6 to mato slices
- green leaf lettuce
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon cooked crispy
Instructions
- Cut the onions into ¼ inch rounds discarding the root and skin. Separate the rings and set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the olive oil, onions, salt, and pepper, stir to coat the onions in the oil and seasonings. Cook, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes until the onions are translucent and starting to soften.
- Add the Coca-Cola to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Continue to cook until caramelized, browned, soft, and almost all of the liquid is cooked out, 15-20 minutes. Take off the heat and set aside.
- While you are cooking the onions, make the burgers. Mix the ground beef, bbq sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until combined. I feel using my hands makes it easier to mix.
- Divide the meat into 6 even portions and make them into patties, make an indention in the middle of the burgers so they don’t plump in the center while grilling, place on a sheet tray until ready to grill.
- Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burgers, cook for about 5-8 minutes on the first side, flip them over and continue to cook until your desired temperature is reached. Do not overcook, at 165°F they are well done. Take off the heat and add a slice of cheese to each burger to melt.
- Place a bottom of a brioche bun on your serving plate. Top with lettuce and a slice of tomato. Add a burger patty followed by a piece of bacon broken in half so it will fit. Top with the Coca-Cola onions and add the top bun. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This makes a nice large 6 burger batch, but you can double it.
- Other cheeses can be used, see above on other suggestions.
- These can be frozen, see above on how to do that.
- We like to have the onions be the star and do not add any additional sauces, the burger is nice and juicy and flavorful without them. But, if you love sauce you can add more bbq sauce, ranch, honey mustard, ketchup, A1 sauce, or mustard.
- Other yummy toppings ideas: avocado, pickles, jalapenos, or a fried egg.
- We like to use a higher quality ground beef so use at least 80/20 for this recipe.
- We like to use thick cut bacon for a heavier bacon flavor, but you can use whatever you have on hand or leave it off completely.
Nutrition
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