These burgers combine juicy ground beef patties with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and sweet, golden caramelized onions, all generously brushed with tangy barbecue sauce. The patties, seasoned and smashed on a hot flat-top, gain a crispy crust and hold plenty of savory flavor. Each burger is built with two patties, layers of melted cheese, smoky bacon, and rich onions, then stacked onto toasted pretzel buns for extra texture. Customize your creation with your favorite bun or sauce. Ideal for a casual backyard meal or a hearty weekend dinner.
These BBQ burgers pack bold smoky flavor with every bite thanks to perfectly seasoned patties, melty cheese, onions caramelized in butter, and plenty of sweet tangy barbecue sauce. The double patty stack makes every burger extra hearty and satisfying, while crispy bacon and a pretzel bun bring the whole experience together.
When I first tried these stacked BBQ burgers with my friends one summer, everyone went back for seconds. Now they are my go to for any family get-together or casual dinner.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 80 percent lean 20 percent fat gives the best balance of juiciness and flavor look for freshly ground if possible
- Salt and black pepper: foundational for seasoning always use kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper if you can
- Garlic powder: adds savory depth check freshness for the best punch
- Onion powder: boosts the natural sweetness and flavor of the patties
- Smoked paprika: infuses a subtle smoky essence Spanish smoked paprika adds even more richness
- Bacon: brings crunch and a salty smoky taste choose thick cut for more bite
- Butter: essential for caramelizing the onions richens the burger’s flavor
- Onions: thinly sliced so they cook down sweet or yellow onions are great choices
- Vegetable oil: helps prevent sticking to the grill or griddle use a neutral oil
- BBQ sauce: ties all the smoky tangy notes together use your favorite homemade or store bought
- Cheddar cheese: melts beautifully and offers sharp flavor aged cheddar takes these up a notch
- Pretzel buns: add a chewy salted finish but any sturdy bun will work
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the seasoning mix:
- In a small bowl mix together salt black pepper garlic powder onion powder and smoked paprika until evenly combined
- Shape the burger patties:
- Portion the ground beef into even three ounce balls Roll them in your palms until smooth and round You should have eight balls in total
- Cook the bacon:
- Preheat your grill or griddle to medium heat Lay out the bacon strips Cook them five to eight minutes until crispy turning as needed Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate
- Caramelize the onions:
- Add butter to the hot grill and let it melt Scatter the onions into the butter and toss to coat Sprinkle about a quarter of your seasoning mix over the onions Stir frequently The onions should soften and begin to brown after about eight to ten minutes Remove them from the grill and set aside
- Prepare the grill and season the meat:
- Raise the heat to high and drizzle the grill with vegetable oil Take your formed beef balls and season one side with a bit of the spice mix
- Smash and cook the patties:
- Place each ball on the hot grill seasoned side down With a square of parchment paper and a burger press or sturdy spatula flatten each ball as thin as you can especially at the edges Season the top side now Cook for about two minutes until the patties become lacy around the edges
- Flip and sauce:
- Use a metal scraper quickly slide under each patty and flip Brush the tops with BBQ sauce right away and lay one slice of cheddar on each Continue cooking until the cheese melts about two more minutes
- Assemble the burgers:
- Spread BBQ sauce on the bottom of your bun Stack two cheesy patties on each sandwich then top with caramelized onions bacon strips and extra sauce if you like Finish with the top bun and serve steaming hot