Bacon Wrapped Cheese Bomb Burger

The sizzle of the grill, the aroma of charcoal, and the promise of summer evenings – grilling season is officially here! There’s an undeniable excitement that comes with firing up a new grill, and for us, that meant embarking on a culinary adventure that had to be truly spectacular. As dedicated enthusiasts of all things savory, particularly bacon, juicy meat, and, of course, cheese, we decided to go big or go home. The mission? To create something we had never before attempted or tasted: a magnificent bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed burger. Just recalling the experience makes our stomachs rumble with hunger!

The Ultimate Grilled Masterpiece: Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Burger

Let me tell you, that burger was beyond good—it was phenomenal! The smoky, crispy bacon not only infused the patty with an incredible depth of flavor but also acted as a protective embrace, locking in all the savory juices. Meanwhile, the molten cheese nestled within the patty worked its magic, ensuring every bite of the burger meat was unbelievably juicy and tender. And because no burger is truly complete without an extra touch of indulgence, we piled on more cheese and a generous handful of caramelized grilled onions, adding just the right amount of sweetness and tang. Serve this masterpiece on a perfectly soft and slightly sweet King’s Hawaiian bun—because let’s be honest, is there really any other bun that compares?—and you’ve got a meal that simply can’t be beaten. It’s an explosion of textures and tastes, a true triumph of grilling!

This culinary creation isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. The combination of crispy bacon, perfectly cooked beef, and a gooey, melted cheese core creates a symphony of flavors that will elevate any backyard barbecue. Forget ordinary burgers; this stuffed burger recipe takes your grilling game to an entirely new level, proving that sometimes, more truly is more.

Unleashing Your Inner Burger Artist: Customization is Key

One of the many beautiful things about burgers is their incredible versatility. They are a blank canvas for culinary creativity, and the bacon-wrapped cheese-stuffed burger is no exception. This recipe serves as a fantastic foundation, but don’t hesitate to make it your own! Want to dial up the bacon factor even more? Go ahead and wrap your patties with additional slices. Craving a different cheese experience? Swap out mozzarella for sharp cheddar, spicy jalapeño jack, creamy provolone, or even a blend of your favorite cheeses for the stuffing. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the internal cheese core, providing endless variations to explore.

Beyond the cheese, think about other toppings and seasonings. Consider infusing your ground beef with finely chopped jalapeños or a touch of Worcestershire sauce before forming the patties. Experiment with different spices and herbs to complement the beef and bacon. And on top of the cooked burger, the sky’s the limit: caramelized onions (a personal favorite), crispy fried onions, fresh lettuce and tomato, tangy pickles, or a dollop of your special homemade sauce. Having successfully conquered my first attempt at this epic burger, I’m now brimming with ideas for future experiments. This initial success has undoubtedly marked the first of many unforgettable burgers our new grill will produce this summer and beyond.

Tips for Perfecting Your Stuffed Burger

• Choosing Your Meat: For a juicy burger, opt for ground beef with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio. This ensures enough fat to keep the burger moist and flavorful as it cooks.
• Stuffing Smart: When forming the patties, ensure the cheese is completely sealed inside. Any gaps can lead to melted cheese escaping onto the grill, which can cause flare-ups and dry out your burger. Don’t overpack the cheese; a good amount will ooze beautifully without compromising the patty’s structure.
• Bacon Wrapping Technique: Use thin-cut bacon for easier wrapping and faster cooking. A criss-cross pattern, secured with toothpicks, helps the bacon stay in place and crisp up evenly. For extra crispy bacon, you can partially pre-cook it before wrapping, but ensure it’s still pliable enough to wrap around the patty.
• Seasoning: Don’t forget to season the outside of your bacon-wrapped patty generously. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are classics, but feel free to add onion powder, paprika, or your favorite steak seasoning blend.

Grilling Essentials for the Best Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Burger

Grilling a stuffed burger, especially one wrapped in bacon, requires a little finesse to achieve that perfect balance of juicy interior, crispy bacon, and molten cheese. Here are a few grilling tips to ensure your burger turns out perfectly every time:

• Preheating is Crucial: Always preheat your grill to a medium temperature. This creates an even cooking surface and helps to sear the outside of the burger, locking in juices.
• Indirect Heat for Control: While searing is great, cooking bacon-wrapped burgers over direct, high heat can lead to burnt bacon and an undercooked interior, or worse, grease fires from melting bacon fat. Consider creating zones on your grill: a direct heat zone for an initial sear and an indirect heat zone to finish cooking. This allows the bacon to crisp slowly and the cheese to melt without overcooking the beef.
• Use Foil to Prevent Flare-Ups: As mentioned in the recipe, placing the burgers on a piece of heavy-duty foil can be a game-changer. This prevents bacon grease from dripping directly onto the flames, minimizing flare-ups and giving you more control over the cooking process. You can even poke a few holes in the foil to allow some drainage, or simply create a raised edge to contain the grease.
• Monitor Internal Temperature: For food safety and optimal doneness, use a meat thermometer. For medium-rare, aim for 135-140°F (57-60°C); medium, 140-145°F (60-63°C); medium-well, 145-150°F (63-66°C); and well-done, 150-160°F (66-71°C). Remember that the temperature will rise slightly after removing the burger from the grill.
• The Final Cheese Melt: Towards the end of cooking, adding a slice of American cheese (or your favorite topping cheese) to the top of the burger and closing the lid for a minute creates that irresistible melted cheese crown. The residual heat will melt it perfectly.
• Rest Your Burger: Just like with steaks, letting your burger rest for 5-10 minutes after grilling allows the juices to redistribute throughout the patty, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bite.

Mastering these grilling techniques will not only ensure a delicious bacon-wrapped cheese-stuffed burger but also boost your confidence as a grill master. This summer, let your grill be the heart of your outdoor entertaining, and these extraordinary burgers be the star of the show. Your guests will be raving about your culinary skills!

This post contains affiliate links (when you buy we make a little money at no cost to you). See our disclosure for more information.

Bacon Wrapped, Cheese Stuffed Burger Recipe

Bacon wrapped, cheese stuffed grilled burger is the ultimate BBQ burger.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (from 1 vote)

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 8 pieces of bacon
• Mozzarella cheese slices (for stuffing)
• American cheese slices (for topping)
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste (or whatever seasonings you prefer)
• Kings Hawaiian Hamburger Rolls
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Turn your grill on medium heat and allow it to warm up for about 10-15 minutes.
2. While the grill is heating, divide your ground beef into four equal portions.
3. Take one portion of beef and gently flatten it into a patty, making a small indentation or “hole” in the center.
4. Fold a slice of mozzarella cheese into quarters and carefully place it into the indentation of the patty.
5. Gently mold the outer edges of the beef patty up and around the cheese, ensuring there are no visible holes where the melted cheese could escape during cooking. Seal it completely.
6. Season both sides of the stuffed burger patty generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or your preferred seasoning blend).
7. Take two slices of bacon and wrap them around the burger in a criss-cross pattern, with the ends meeting on the bottom. Secure the bacon by inserting a toothpick through the center of the burger and bacon, which will help keep the bacon in place while grilling.
8. Carefully place the bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed burger on the preheated grill. (Pro tip: Consider placing a piece of foil on the grill grates first to catch any bacon grease and prevent flare-ups.)
9. Close the grill lid and cook for approximately 15 minutes on one side. (Cooking times may vary based on your grill’s heat and desired doneness. Adjust as needed, flipping a few minutes sooner or later.)
10. Flip the burger over and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
11. Flip the burger one final time, place a slice of American cheese on top, close the lid, and cook for about 1 minute, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey.
12. Remove the finished burger from the grill and dress it with your favorite toppings and condiments.
13. Take that first magnificent bite and savor the explosion of flavors in your mouth!

Nutrition

Calories: 650 kcal (33%)

Author: Jessica Pinney

Did you make this recipe?

Please tag @cookingwithjanica on Instagram! We’d love to see!