Crack Burgers Bacon Cheddar (Printable)

Beef patties topped with crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and tangy ranch on toasted buns.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Patties

01 - 1½ lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - ½ tsp garlic powder

→ Toppings

05 - 8 slices bacon
06 - 4 slices cheddar cheese
07 - ½ cup ranch dressing
08 - ½ cup crispy fried onions (optional)
09 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
10 - 1 large tomato, sliced
11 - 4 burger buns, split and toasted

→ Optional Add-Ons

12 - Sliced pickles
13 - Sliced red onion

# How To Cook:

01 - Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - In a bowl, gently combine ground beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Form into 4 equal patties, pressing a slight dimple in the center of each.
03 - Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
04 - Grill or pan-sear the burger patties for 3–4 minutes per side, until desired doneness. In the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of cheddar; cover to melt.
05 - Toast burger buns until golden.
06 - Spread ranch dressing on the bottom half of each bun. Layer with lettuce, a beef patty, crispy bacon, tomato slices, fried onions, and any optional add-ons. Top with the other half of the bun.
07 - Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The ranch seeps into every crevice while the cheese blankets the patty in ways that make restaurant burgers feel incomplete
  • That satisfying crunch when you bite through bacon into juicy beef is the kind of memory that makes people text you days later
02 -
  • Pressing that dimple in the center of each patty is the difference between a flat burger and one that looks like a meat dome
  • Letting the patties rest for even two minutes after cooking keeps all those juices inside instead of on your plate
03 -
  • Keep your burger buns from getting soggy by spreading a thin layer of butter or mayo on them before toasting
  • Never press down on your patties with the spatula, you are literally squeezing out all the flavor

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