Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger

A little sweet and a little heat in this Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger. This is the kind of burger you will be talking about for days.

Bacon Burgers

I prefer recipes that taste fantastic, and that I can actually remember the ingredient list for, the Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burgers is just that.

Adjust the heat to match your taste buds' desire for burn. From zero peppers to ghost peppers, you do, you!

I'll guide you to making this Whataburger-inspired, juicy, flavorful burger topped with American and Monterey Jack Cheese that's even better than anything you can get in a fast food drive-thru.

Pro Tips for Making a Great Burger

I feel like I say this in every post about cooking meat, but once you put the burger on the hot griddle, leave it alone. Don't smash it. Don't flip it.

I find using the electric griddle allows the burgers more room to cook without steaming. This gives them a great crisp on the outside but keeps them juicy on the inside.

If you have a Blackstone, I imagine it would be perfect for this recipe.

The griddle also gives you an easy way to toast those buns and even grill the onions.

Use 80/20 beef for the juiciest burgers.

Ingredients for Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger

• Hamburger--Use 80/20 ground beef. This provides enough fat for your burgers to be extra juicy.
• Garlic Salt & Pepper--or use another seasoning if you prefer
• Grilled Sliced Onions--I used yellow onions, but white or red can be substituted.
• Butter--Used to spread on the buns to grill and to cook the onions.
• Monterey Jack or Colby Jack Cheese--the original Whataburger Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger uses Monterey Jack cheese, but it's not readily available here in rural America. So I used Colby Jack Cheese and it was delish.
• American Cheese--I rarely use American Cheese, but on a burger the melt is unmatched. Plus it's the kind Whataburger used.
• Bacon--I used a good thick cut pork bacon, but use what you like.
• Spicy Peppers--I tried pickled jalapenos but felt they lacked the heat to warrant the recipe title, so I instead used fresh jalapenos and found them to be just right for me. If you want more heat go with a hotter pepper. Leave it out if you're not into heat at all.
• Buns--spread it with butter and toast it for the perfect burger vessel.
• Ketchup--I used ketchup as a basis for my sweet sauce.
• Brown Sugar--Stir a little into the ketchup and microwave for 10 seconds to dissolve the sugar.
• Mustard--optional. Whataburger serves theirs with mustard. I just went with the peppers, onions, and sweet/hot sauce for mine.

How to Make Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burgers

Grilling Onions

Start the onions cooking before you put the burgers on to cook. They take some time to get soft and caramelized.

I cooked my sliced onions in butter in an iron skillet, but you can certainly cook them on the griddle or Blackstone if you have room.

Cook them on medium heat, as you don't want to brown or burn the onions. And keep an eye on them.

Forming Burger Patties

Divide the pound of hamburger into 3 equal-ish balls for burger patties.

Pack the ground beef enough to keep it together in a patty, but avoid overhandling or handling it roughly. Flatten the patties to a little less than ½ inch.

If you destroy the fat pockets in the beef your burger will be dry.

Season both sides with garlic salt and pepper. Set aside.

Preheat the electric griddle to 400 degrees. If you are cooking in the skillet, preheat on a medium-high flame.

Cooking Burgers

Check to see that your cooking surface is hot enough, by dropping a few drops of water on the pan. If it sizzles, it's ready!

Place the burger patties on the hot griddle with space between each patty.

Now LEAVE THEM ALONE and let them get a nice, brown, crisp crust on the bottom.

Gently lift the edge of the burger when the sizzling has slowed down to see if the bottom is browned and crisp. If so, flip.

Allow the burger to cook on the second side without disturbing the patty, and cook until desired doneness.

Add Cheese and Toast Buns

Place buttered buns with the buttered side down on the hot griddle and allow to brown.

When the inside is browned, flip them over and add the American Cheese to the bun.

Top the burger with the Colby Jack/Monterey Jack cheese and allow it to melt.

Assembling the Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger

Add the grilled onions to the cheeseburger, top with bacon, and the Sweet Spicy Pepper Burger Sauce.

Top with a few slices of jalapenos (or peppers of your choice).

Put the 2 sides together and serve.

Variations of Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger

Smoking Hot Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger--use a hotter pepper like a ghost pepper if you desire and have a tongue made of asbestos.

Make it yours--change out the cheese types or peppers to match your taste.

Equipment

Someday I may buy a Blackstone, but for now I used my old standby electric griddle that you can buy for around $20.

If you have the money and a place to store it, I find it to be a good kitchen investment.

There are fancier versions, for sure, but I only use it for specific things such as making pancakes, these Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burgers, Porky Burgers, and Rodeo Burgers.

Other Recipes to Try

For other great recipes on a bun check out my Porky Burger and Sloppy Joe Sliders.

Storing Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger

Store burgers in a covered dish in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. I think they are best made fresh, but are better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick reheated.

I suggest you deconstruct the burger to reheat, as the burger will need to heat longer than the rest of the ingredients.

Serving Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger

I love these burgers with Red Potatoes in the Air Fryer and a cooling bite of Applesauce Jello or 7 Up Salad. Finish your meal with Sweet Potato Dump Cake and life will be complete.

DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?

Lastly, if you made Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burgers following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag me on Instagram! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!

FOOD SAFETY

• Wash hands before cooking
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.