Red, White & Bleu Burger: Your Ultimate Bacon & Bleu Cheese Grilling Experience
Prepare to elevate your burger game with our irresistible Red, White & Bleu Burger! This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary celebration featuring a succulent ground beef patty infused with crispy bacon and tangy bleu cheese, grilled to perfection. Each burger is generously crowned with juicy tomato slices, extra crumbled bleu cheese, and strips of smoky applewood bacon, all nestled in a perfectly buttery, toasted bun. Get ready for an explosion of savory, smoky, and subtly piquant flavors in every glorious bite!
When you envision “red, white, and blue,” thoughts of patriotism and celebration likely come to mind. But when we talk about a “Red, White & Bleu Burger,” it conjures a different kind of national pride – a distinctly culinary one! This exquisite burger takes classic American comfort food and infuses it with a gourmet twist, promising an unparalleled flavor adventure that will keep you coming back for more. The vibrant red of the tomato, the creamy white and blue hues of the cheese, combined with the rich, grilled beef and bacon, create a dish that is as visually stunning as it is delicious.
This fantastic burger recipe is proudly presented as part of a thrilling Burger Month grill giveaway, an annual event graciously hosted by the incredible GirlCarnivore. While this grand giveaway is a collaborative community effort, this specific recipe for the sensational Red, White & Bleu Burger is entirely my own original creation, born from a passion for grilling and bold flavors.
Join the Festivities: May is Officially Burger Month!
Calling all grill masters and burger enthusiasts! Mark your calendars, because May is officially designated BURGER MONTH! This highly anticipated event, expertly orchestrated by the wonderful Girl Carnivore each year, transforms the entire month into a vibrant celebration of all things burger-related. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore an endless array of creative and incredibly delicious burger recipes, guaranteed to inspire your next backyard barbecue or weeknight meal.
But the excitement doesn’t stop at recipes! Burger Month also features an absolutely EPIC Grilling Kit Prize, valued at over $800! This incredible prize package is brimming with high-quality grilling essentials, making it the dream haul for any aspiring or seasoned outdoor cook. Imagine upgrading your current setup with these premium tools. Don’t forget to keep reading to find out exactly how you can enter to win and potentially revolutionize your grilling adventures!
^LOVE THIS FLAVOR? PIN THIS RED, WHITE & BLEU BURGER RECIPE!^
My participation in Burger Month has become an annual tradition I truly cherish. I thoroughly enjoyed creating and sharing my burger masterpiece last year, and the decision to join again this year was an easy one. Any chance to collaborate with such a talented community of food bloggers and offer my readers the opportunity to win an amazing prize package like this is something I jump at! It’s an honor to be part of an event that fosters creativity and brings so much joy to food lovers.
Beyond the camaraderie and the thrill of the giveaway, let’s be honest – who could possibly pass up the chance for extensive burger taste testing? It’s a delicious form of research! Each year provides a fresh canvas to experiment with novel flavor combinations, refine grilling techniques, and, of course, savor the incredible results of my culinary efforts. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it, and I’m always happy to take on the challenge.
Last year, my contribution to Burger Month was an unforgettable Italian Burger. This unique creation featured a savory blend of Italian sausage and lean ground beef, expertly grilled and generously topped with fresh mozzarella cheese, rich marinara sauce, and aromatic fresh basil, all served on a delectable garlic bread bun. It quickly earned a spot as one of my all-time favorite burgers I’ve ever made, a significant achievement considering I’ve prepared LOTS of BURGERS throughout my cooking journey.
For this year’s Burger Month, I decided to take on an even bigger challenge by developing not one, but two exciting new burger recipes. This incredible Red, White & Bleu Burger is the inaugural dish I’m sharing. However, be sure to save the date for the 19th of this month, when I’ll be unveiling my truly unique Bloody Mary Burger – a creation that promises to be just as inventive and delicious! Each burger brings its own distinct personality and flavor profile, ensuring a diverse and exciting culinary journey throughout the month.
Essential Ingredients for Your Red, White & Bleu Burger
Crafting a truly exceptional burger begins with carefully selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients. For our Red, White & Bleu masterpiece, we’ve chosen a harmonious blend of components that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to assemble this gourmet delight:
- Lean Ground Beef: The foundation of any great burger. Opting for lean ground beef provides a robust base that remains juicy without being overly greasy. A good 80/20 blend is often ideal for flavor and moisture.
- Thick Cut Smoked Bacon: This isn’t just a simple topping; it’s a critical flavor enhancer. The bacon is incorporated directly into the burger patty for a smoky depth and also serves as a crispy topping for added texture and richness.
- Egg: A single egg acts as an excellent binder, ensuring that your patty ingredients meld together perfectly and adding a touch of richness that contributes to the overall juiciness of the burger.
- Crumbled Bleu Cheese: The namesake ingredient and flavor powerhouse! Its distinct pungent, salty, and creamy notes are what give this burger its signature “Bleu” character. We’ll divide it, adding some inside the patty for flavor infusion and reserving the rest for a generous topping.
- Fresh Tomato Slices: These provide a vital burst of fresh, juicy acidity and a vibrant “red” component. Always choose ripe, firm tomatoes for the best flavor and texture contrast.
- Dry Mustard: This often-overlooked spice is a secret weapon in burger making. It works to amplify the savory umami notes of the beef and adds a subtle, sharp, peppery kick that brightens the overall flavor profile.
- Seasoned Pepper: Instead of plain black pepper, a seasoned pepper blend offers a more complex and balanced seasoning, complementing all the other bold flavors without overpowering them.
- Buttery Toasted Buns: The unsung hero! A good quality burger bun is essential, and toasting it with butter transforms it. It adds a delightful crisp texture and prevents the bun from becoming soggy, providing the perfect sturdy yet tender vessel for your burger.
- Mayonnaise for Serving: A classic condiment that adds a layer of creamy richness, helping to bind all the diverse flavors together and providing a smooth contrast to the crispy and juicy elements.
Crafting Your Red, White & Bleu Burger: A Step-by-Step Grilling Guide
Creating this gourmet burger is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. Follow these detailed steps to ensure every component is perfectly prepared and your burger is grilled to absolute perfection.
1. Prepare Your Bacon and Fresh Toppings
Begin by cooking all 10 slices of your thick-cut smoked bacon until they reach a beautiful crispness. You can achieve this in a hot skillet, on a baking sheet in the oven, or even directly on your grill for extra smoky flavor. Once cooked, transfer the bacon slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. Now, select two of these crispy bacon slices and finely crumble them; these flavorful bits will be mixed directly into your burger patties. Reserve the remaining eight whole slices to be used as a magnificent topping later. While the bacon cools, carefully slice your large, ripe tomato into even, firm rounds and set them aside. Ensure your crumbled bleu cheese is also ready and portioned – remember, approximately 1/3 cup will go into the patties, and the rest is for topping each assembled burger.
2. Mix and Form the Burger Patties
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your lean ground beef, the two slices of finely crumbled bacon, one egg (serving as a crucial binder), approximately 1/3 cup of the pungent crumbled bleu cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned pepper. When combining these ingredients, use your hands to gently but thoroughly mix everything together. The key here is not to overmix the beef, as excessive handling can lead to a tough and dense burger texture. The goal is just to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. From my experience, I typically find no need to add any additional salt to this mixture, as the bacon and bleu cheese inherently contribute plenty of natural saltiness, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
Once your mixture is ready, divide it evenly into four portions. Gently form each portion into a patty that is slightly larger in diameter than your burger buns, as patties tend to shrink a bit during the cooking process. To ensure an even cook and to prevent the center from puffing up, creating an undesirable dome shape, make a small indentation or “thumbprint” in the middle of each patty. As you form them, take a moment to admire those beautiful, visible chunks of bleu cheese and bacon intertwined within the beef – a promise of the deliciousness to come!
3. Grill Your Burgers to Perfection
Preheat your grill to a consistent medium-high temperature, aiming for approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow your grill to heat thoroughly before placing the patties on the grates. Once the grill is hot and ready, carefully place your four Red, White & Bleu burger patties. For a juicy, well-done burger with a beautifully seared exterior, we recommend grilling them for about 9 minutes on each side. The internal temperature for a well-done burger should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. For those who prefer a different level of doneness, aim for 140-145°F for medium or 130-135°F for medium-rare. Always use a reliable meat thermometer to accurately check the internal temperature, ensuring both food safety and your desired texture.
Unlock More Grilling Secrets: Tips & Tricks for Your Best Burger Yet!
For an even deeper dive into achieving burger perfection and mastering your grilling skills, I highly recommend consulting my comprehensive guide: The Best Burger Tips & Tricks to Perfecting Your Burger. This resource covers everything from selecting the right meat to seasoning strategies and advanced grilling techniques, ensuring every burger you create is a culinary triumph.
4. Toast Your Burger Buns to Perfection
While your mouth-watering burgers are sizzling away on the grill, turn your attention to the buns – a crucial step often underestimated but vital for an exceptional burger experience. Lightly butter the cut sides of your burger buns. Then, place them butter-side down in a hot skillet (or directly on a clean part of your grill if space allows) and toast them until they achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and a slight crispness. Think of it like preparing a grilled cheese sandwich, where a perfect toast is key. This simple yet effective step adds a delightful textural contrast, enhancing each bite, and critically, it creates a protective barrier that prevents the bun from becoming soggy from the juicy burger and its toppings. Trust me, this small effort truly elevates the entire burger experience.
5. Assemble Your Culinary Creation and Serve
The moment of truth has arrived! Once your burgers are cooked to your desired doneness and your buns are perfectly toasted, it’s time for the grand assembly. Begin by spreading a generous, even layer of mayonnaise on both the top and bottom halves of your toasted bun – or feel free to use your favorite condiment. Carefully place a hot, juicy grilled Red, White & Bleu patty onto the bottom bun. Next, artfully arrange the fresh, vibrant tomato slices, followed by two of your reserved crispy bacon strips, and a final, bountiful sprinkle of the remaining crumbled bleu cheese. Place the top bun, gently pressing down, and prepare for an unforgettable burst of flavor! The combination of savory beef, smoky bacon, sharp bleu cheese, and fresh tomato is nothing short of spectacular. Even my husband, who traditionally isn’t a huge fan of bleu cheese, absolutely devoured this burger and declared it a new favorite. In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he even claimed half of mine – a true testament to how perfectly balanced and irresistible these flavors are together!
Don’t Miss Your Chance: The Ultimate Burger Month Giveaway!
Beyond tempting your taste buds with delectable recipes like this Red, White & Bleu Burger, Burger Month offers an incredible opportunity to win some truly spectacular prizes! We’re talking about an Ultimate Burger Grilling Kit valued at over $800 – a dream come true for any grilling enthusiast. Imagine enhancing your backyard barbecue setup with premium tools, accessories, and gourmet ingredients, all thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors. Entering is quick and easy, and who knows, you might just be the lucky winner destined to elevate your outdoor cooking adventures!
Make sure to enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget provided below! It’s a fantastic, straightforward way to put yourself in the running for some top-notch grilling gear that will make every future burger night even more memorable and special. Good luck to all participants!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Print Recipe
Red, White & Bleu Burger
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 10 slices thick smoked bacon cooked, 2 pieces crumbled
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon season pepper
- 1 cup crumbled Bleu cheese divided
- 1 large tomato sliced
- 4 burger buns
- butter
- mayo for serving
Instructions
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Combine ground beef, 2 slices of crumbled bacon, 1/3 cup Bleu cheese, dry mustard, seasoned pepper and egg.
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Form into 4 patties.
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Butter the insides of the buns and toast them in a skillet.
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Heat grill to 350 degrees and place burgers on the grill. Grill 9 minutes on each side. Internal temperature of the burger will be 160 degrees for a “well done” burger.
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Place the burger on the toasted bun, add some mayo. Top with tomatoes, 2 slices of bacon and Bleu cheese.
Nutrition
A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing Burger Month Sponsors!
Burger Month would simply not be possible without the incredible support and generous contributions of our dedicated sponsors. These brands are committed to providing top-quality products that enable us all to create unforgettable grilling experiences and culinary delights. We extend our sincerest gratitude to each of them for making the Ultimate Burger Grilling Giveaway a reality:
- Cabot Cheese: For their exceptional, award-winning dairy products that perfectly complement any recipe.
- Char-Griller Grills: Providing robust and reliable grills that ensure perfect outdoor cooking every time.
- Crow Canyon Home: Offering beautiful, durable, and classic enamelware that adds a touch of style to your kitchen and outdoor dining.
- Porter Road: Supplying ethically sourced, high-quality meats, providing the very best foundation for your burgers.
- Melissa’s Produce: For their wide selection of fresh, vibrant, and exotic produce that enhances every dish.
- Red Duck: Crafting delicious, all-natural gourmet ketchups and sauces to add that perfect tangy or spicy zing to your meals.
- Spiceology: Delivering innovative and exceptional spices and blends that unlock a world of unforgettable flavors in your cooking.
- Western BBQ: Enhancing your grilling and smoking with premium wood chips, chunks, and other essential barbecue products.
Explore More: The Incredible Burger Month Blogger Lineup!
This magnificent celebration of all things burgers brings together a diverse and talented community of food bloggers and recipe creators from across the globe. Each participant shares their unique vision and delicious take on the beloved patty, offering a treasure trove of inspiration for your next meal. Dive into this extensive list to discover new favorite recipes, ingenious flavor combinations, and expert grilling tips from this vibrant group of culinary artists:
? Girl Carnivore ? A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures ? A Simple Pantry ? Abra’s Kitchen ? AcadiaTwo’s Kitchen Antics ? An Affair from the Heart ? Bakersbeans ? Betsi’s World ?Caroline’s Cooking ? Cindy’s Recipes and Writings ? City Living Boston ? Cluttercafe ? Cooking With Carlee ? Convos with Karen ?Daily Dish Recipes ? Dance Around The Kitchen ? Dixie Chik Cooks ? Dizzy Busy and Hungry ? Doodlecraft ? Everyday Eileen ? Family Around the Table ? Family Food on the Table ? Family Spice ?Farmwife Feeds ?Food Above Gold ? For the Love of Food ? Grillax.com ? Grilling Montana ? Grumpy’s Honeybunch ? Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks ? Honeybunch Hunts ? HORNS BBQ ? Intelligent Domestications ? It Is a Keeper ? Jolene’s Recipe Journal ? Jonesin For Taste ? Juggling Act Mama ? Karen’s Kitchen Stories ? Kate’s Recipe Box ? Krazy Kitchen Mom ? Life Anchored ? Life of a Ginger ? Mildly Meandering ? Miss in the KItchen ? Palatable Pastime ? Pastry Chef Online ? Perspective Portions ? Plowing Through Life ? PNW Eats ? Pook’s Pantry ? Real Life With Dad ? Sarah’s Cucina Bella ? Seduction In The Kitchen ? Simple and Savory ? Souffle Bombay ? Spiced ? Spoonabilities ? Strawberry Blondie Kitchen ? SueBee Homemaker ? Sumptuous Spoonfuls ? Sweet ReciPeas ? Swirls of Flavor ? Take Two Tapas ? Tampa Cake Girl ? Taste And See ? The Baking Fairy ? The Beard and The Baker ? The Complete Savorist ? The Crumby Kitchen ? The Heritage Cookbook Project ? The Keto Guy ? The Redhead Baker ? The Rowdy Baker ? The Schmidty Wife ? The Shirley Journey ? The Spiffy Cookie ? This Farm Girl Cooks ? Thyme for Cocktails ? We are not Martha ? Well Fed Baker ? West Via Midwest ? What’s Cooking Italian Style Cuisine ? Who Needs A Cape? ? Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen ? Wok & Skillet ? Zest & Simmer ?