Maple Bourbon BBQ Bacon Burger

Ingredients:

For the Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the burger patties:

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 slices bacon
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 4 burger buns

For assembling the burger:

• Lettuce leaves
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced red onions
• Optional: Additional maple bourbon BBQ sauce for topping

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
   • In a small saucepan, combine the BBQ sauce, maple syrup, bourbon, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
   • Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.
   • Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set it aside.
2. Cook the Bacon:
   • In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until they are crispy. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Burger Patties:
   • Season the ground beef with salt and pepper.
   • Divide the beef into 4 equal portions and shape them into burger patties, making them slightly larger than the buns to accommodate shrinkage during cooking.
4. Grill the Burger Patties:
   • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
   • Place the burger patties on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.
   • During the last minute of grilling, add a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each patty and allow it to melt.
5. Assemble the Burgers:
   • Spread a generous amount of the Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce on the bottom half of each burger bun.
   • Place a lettuce leaf on top of the sauce.
   • Add a cooked burger patty with melted cheese on top of the lettuce.
   • Layer 2 slices of crispy bacon on each patty.
   • Add sliced tomatoes and red onions.
   • Drizzle additional Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce over the toppings if desired.
   • Top with the other half of the burger bun.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Serve the Maple Bourbon BBQ Bacon Burgers immediately while they’re hot and the cheese is melted.
   • These burgers go well with side dishes like sweet potato fries, coleslaw, or a side salad.

Enjoy the rich, smoky-sweet flavors of the Maple Bourbon BBQ Bacon Burger for a mouthwatering treat!