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Savory Grilled Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burgers Recipe with Easy Special Sauce

grilled bacon cheddar stuffed burgers - featured image

These savory grilled bacon cheddar stuffed burgers deliver a juicy, flavorful bite with a cheesy, smoky surprise inside, complemented by a tangy special sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or backyard gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (680g) ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 cup (115g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 4 burger buns, toasted
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Tomato slices
  • Pickles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8–10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and let cool. Once cool, chop into small pieces and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently by hand without overworking the meat.
  3. Divide the meat mixture into 8 equal portions (about 3 oz or 85g each). Flatten 4 portions into thin patties about ¼ inch thick on a clean surface.
  4. Evenly distribute the chopped bacon and shredded cheddar onto the flattened patties, leaving a small border around the edges to seal.
  5. Flatten the remaining 4 meat portions and gently place them over the bacon and cheese layer. Pinch the edges together tightly to seal, using water if needed.
  6. Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 375°F/190°C). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  7. Grill the stuffed patties for 5-6 minutes per side, flipping carefully. Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Avoid pressing down on the burgers.
  8. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, place buns cut side down on the grill to toast lightly.
  9. While the burgers cook, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
  10. Spread a generous amount of special sauce on the bottom bun. Add a lettuce leaf, the burger patty, tomato slices, and pickles if using. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.

Notes

Seal the edges of the patties tightly to prevent cheese from leaking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure burgers are cooked safely. Let burgers rest 3-5 minutes after grilling. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free, substitute cheddar and mayo with vegan alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed burgers, bacon cheddar burgers, grilled burgers, special sauce, backyard BBQ, quick dinner, cheesy burgers