Ultimate Western Bacon Burgers: Juicy Patties with Crispy Onion Strings & Zesty BBQ Mayo
Get ready to saddle up for a flavor adventure! These aren’t just any burgers; they’re thick, juicy patties crowned with irresistible crispy bacon, homemade onion strings, and a dollop of tangy BBQ Mayo. You certainly don’t need to be a cowboy to fall head over heels for this magnificent creation!
Giddy up, burger enthusiasts! The warmer weather brings with it the unofficial start of grilling season, marked by holidays like Memorial Day — one of the biggest grilling days of the year. Not only that, but May is proudly celebrated as National Burger Month, making it the absolute perfect time to sink your teeth into a truly exceptional burger. And trust me, this particular Western burger masterpiece is practically calling your name, begging to be devoured. Just look at it – a culinary work of art, don’t you agree?
This month has been particularly exciting, as I’ve had the pleasure of participating in two different Secret Recipe Club reveals. For those unfamiliar, the Secret Recipe Club is a fantastic online community where bloggers are secretly assigned another member’s blog, tasked with choosing a recipe, making it, and then revealing their creation on a specific date. It’s a wonderful way to discover new blogs, explore diverse recipes, and challenge your culinary skills. This specific reveal day was extra special, themed “Picnics and BBQ’s” to perfectly usher in the summer season. My assigned blog for this delightful challenge was Making Miracles, penned by the talented Rebekah.
As I embarked on my culinary treasure hunt through Rebekah’s blog, I initially found myself gravitating towards her enticing array of salads. I’m always on the lookout for fresh, new salad recipes to add to my rotation, especially as the weather warms up. I bookmarked a couple of them, like her mouth-watering Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad and the comforting Loaded Baked Potato Salad, thinking these would be perfect additions to any picnic spread. However, my browsing took an exciting turn when I ventured into the “Sandwiches, Burgers and Pizza” section. To my delight, there were a staggering *twelve* burger recipes to explore! As a self-proclaimed burger aficionado, I knew right then and there that I absolutely had to try one. My initial choice was her intriguing Stuffed Burgers with Bacon, Onion and Cheese, a recipe Rebekah noted as a favorite of her son’s – and my youngest son is quite the burger connoisseur himself. But then, as fate would have it, my eyes landed upon her extraordinary Western Bacon Burgers with Crispy Onion Strings and BBQ Mayo, and I instantly knew my decision was made! Those homemade onion strings were the ultimate game-changer – it was love at first sight, or rather, at first read! #InLove
Rebekah, a loving mother to two children, beautifully describes her approach to cooking as “easy and family friendly.” This philosophy perfectly resonates with me, as I constantly strive for simple yet delicious meals that satisfy everyone at the table. Beyond her culinary talents, Rebekah is an incredibly inspiring individual. She has literally traveled the world, exploring diverse cultures and cuisines, and has generously given the extraordinary gift of parenthood to four families through surrogacy. Her blog is not just a collection of recipes; it’s a window into the life of a truly remarkable woman. I wholeheartedly encourage you to visit her blog; you’ll undoubtedly find her recipes both approachable and delectable, and her personal stories are sure to captivate and inspire. Her journey and passion shine through every post, making her corner of the internet a delightful place to explore for both food and heart-warming narratives.
Preparing these Western Bacon Burgers was an adventure in itself, especially when it came to safeguarding the crucial toppings. As many parents of growing children can attest, certain ingredients have a mysterious way of disappearing before they even make it to the main dish! In my case, it was a covert operation to hide both the crispy homemade onion strings and the thick-cut bacon from my kids, who, with their eagle eyes and quick hands, kept swiping them from the plates as soon as they cooled. I’m not typically one to be stingy with food, but on this occasion, my photographer’s instincts kicked in. I was genuinely afraid there wouldn’t be enough left for the crucial burger photos! After a successful (and slightly anxious) photo session, where I managed to capture the beauty of these Western burgers, we all sat down to enjoy our meal. About halfway through my burger, a sudden realization hit me like a ton of bricks: “Wait… where’s the bacon?” In my haste to get the food on the table and appease the hungry masses, I had completely forgotten to add the bacon to my own burger! My oldest daughter was working that night, so fortunately, I had one fully assembled burger remaining. With renewed determination, I carefully deconstructed and then rebuilt that last burger, ensuring every element, especially the coveted bacon, was perfectly in place. Then, I reshot the photos, this time with all the components present and accounted for.
Honestly, even without the bacon, the burger was incredibly delicious, a testament to the robust flavor of the patty, the crunch of the onion strings, and the zesty kick of the BBQ mayo. However, let’s be real: everything is just a little bit better with bacon on it, isn’t it? That salty, crispy, smoky goodness adds an undeniable layer of perfection that elevates any dish, and these Western burgers are no exception. The addition of perfectly cooked, thick-sliced bacon completes the harmonious symphony of flavors and textures, making each bite an absolute delight. We served these magnificent Western burgers alongside a generous helping of thick-cut, golden-brown fries – the perfect companion to such a hearty meal. The ultimate seal of approval came from my youngest son, our resident burger connoisseur, who enthusiastically gave them two thumbs up. That’s a ringing endorsement in our household!
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Print Recipe
Western Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds 85% lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- Cheese slices (Cheddar, Colby, or your favorite melting cheese)
- Thick-sliced bacon (two slices per burger)
- Burger buns
- Fresh lettuce sliced tomato, and other toppings of your choice
- Homemade Onion Strings – Find RECIPE HERE
Instructions
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Begin by preparing your Homemade Onion Strings according to the recipe instructions, then set them aside to keep warm and crispy.
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In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef with the egg. Form the mixture into thick patties. From 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef, you can create 4 very substantial burgers or 6 slightly smaller, but still generous, patties. Cook your burgers on a hot grill or pan-fry them to your desired level of doneness. Just before they are fully cooked, place a slice of cheese on each patty and allow it to melt beautifully.
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While the burgers are cooking, lightly butter the cut sides of your burger buns. Toast them in a skillet or on the grill until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. This adds a lovely texture and prevents the buns from becoming soggy.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and BBQ sauce until well combined. This creates your zesty BBQ Mayo.
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Assemble your Western Burgers: spread a generous amount of the BBQ Mayo on both halves of the toasted bun. Place the cheesy burger patty on the bottom bun. Layer with the crispy bacon and a generous pile of homemade onion strings. Add fresh lettuce and sliced tomato, or any other favorite toppings you desire, then crown it with the top bun. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
As you might have gathered from my enthusiastic description, the homemade onion strings were an absolute revelation. We loved them so much that I truly believe they deserve a dedicated spotlight. They are, without a doubt, a crucial element in achieving that authentic Western burger experience, providing a delightful crunch and savory sweetness that perfectly complements the juicy patty and smoky bacon. Therefore, I decided these glorious crispy morsels merited an entire blog post of their very own, detailing just how easy it is to make them at home!
You can find the full, step-by-step recipe for these incredibly addictive Homemade Onion Strings here.
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My heartfelt thanks go out to Rebekah from Making Miracles for these truly great recipes and for inspiring such a fantastic meal! It was an absolute pleasure discovering your blog through the Secret Recipe Club, and I’m sure my readers will find as much joy in your culinary creations and inspiring stories as I have.
If you’re as passionate about discovering new recipes and connecting with fellow food bloggers as I am, you absolutely must learn more about joining the Secret Recipe Club. It’s a vibrant community that offers endless culinary inspiration and a wonderful opportunity to share your love for cooking. Simply click the banner below to explore how you can become a part of this fantastic group: