Ultimate bacon cheeseburgers

Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburgers

15
Points®
Total Time
50 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Moderate
This is hands-down our favorite cheeseburger. Bacon, mushrooms, red onion, Mexican-style cheese, tomatoes, and Boston lettuce—what more could you want? Don’t throw away the mushroom liquid. Pour it into a container, leaving any grit in the bowl, and use it instead of water in rice, soup, or sauces. Instead of the stovetop, the bacon is heated through in the microwave for super-easy cleanup.

Ingredients

Cooking spray

4 spray(s)

Dried porcini mushrooms

1 oz, sliced

Uncooked center cut bacon

8 slice(s)

Uncooked 95% lean ground beef

1 pound(s)

Cremini mushroom

6 oz, finely chopped

Red onion

½ small, grated, plus thin slices for serving (optional)

Kosher salt

1 tsp, divided

Black pepper

¼ tsp

Shredded reduced fat Mexican-style cheese blend

15 Tbsp, sharp variety (3⁄4 cup plus 3 tbsp)

Tomato

4 slice(s), each 3⁄4 inch thick

Light hamburger bun

4 item(s), toasted

Boston lettuce

4 leaf/leaves

Instructions

  1. In small bowl, add porcini mushrooms and enough hot water to cover. Let stand until mushrooms soften, about 15 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to cutting board and chop.
  2. Off heat, coat grill rack or large grill pan with nonstick spray. Preheat gas grill or grill pan to medium-high, prepare medium-high fire in charcoal grill.
  3. Meanwhile, arrange 4 bacon slices in single layer between paper towels. Microwave on High until bacon is partially cooked but still flexible, about 30 seconds. Drain bacon on paper towels. Repeat with remaining 4 bacon slices. Let cool.
  4. In large bowl, mix beef, cremini and porcini mushrooms, onion, and 1⁄2 tsp salt and shape into 4 (31⁄2-inch) patties. Season with 1⁄4 tsp each salt and black pepper. Arrange 2 bacon strips crisscross on each patty, tucking ends underneath.
  5. Arrange patties, bacon-side down, on grill and cook for 6 minutes. Turn patties over and cook until bacon is crisp and instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into patties registers 160°F, about 6 minutes more. Sprinkle a scant 1⁄4 cup cheese over each patty. Close lid and continue to cook until melted, about 30 seconds.
  6. Sprinkle tomato slices with remaining 1⁄4 tsp salt. Build burgers with roll bottom, 1 patty with bacon and cheese, 1 tomato slice, 1 lettuce leaf, sliced onion (if using), and roll top.
  7. Serving size: 1 burger