Published:
Apr 6th 2024
by 
Last updated: Jul 6th 2025
Juicy, smoky, and stacked with flavor, this BBQ Bacon Burger is everything a burger should be. Think tender beef patties grilled to perfection, crispy bacon, melted cheddar, sweet barbecue sauce, and golden fried onions—all tucked into gluten-free buns. It’s a flavor-packed burger made for cookouts, game day, or anytime you want to impress with a serious handheld meal.
For that extra kick, we top it off with more BBQ sauce and crispy fried onions. It's a flavor-packed feast that'll leave you craving more with every bite!
If you want more tasty burgers to add to your recipe collection, try our Lamb Burgers or Chimichurri Burgers.
Pro Tip - Combines crispy, smoky, tangy, and savory in one bite
- Ideal for gluten-free eaters, bacon lovers, and BBQ fans
- Easy to make with homemade fried onions and simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for family dinners, cookouts, and burger nights
- Use sharp cheddar for a bold, cheesy flavor that stands up to BBQ sauce.
- Pre-toast the buns for extra crunch and to prevent sogginess.
- Partially cook the bacon before mixing it into patties (if using that variation) to ensure even cooking.
- Pair with sweet potato fries, coleslaw, or a simple side salad.
- Add sliced pickles, avocado, or jalapeños for extra toppings.
- Great with iced tea, lemonade, or a cold beer.
- Swap beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat to suit your preference.
- Make it spicier: Add chipotle BBQ sauce or chili flakes.
- Use store-bought crispy onions to save time.
For the Crispy Fried Onions:
- Buttermilk & Egg – Create the base for coating.
- Yellow Onion – Sliced thin for that signature crunch.
- Canola Oil – Used for deep-frying.
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour & Panko Breadcrumbs – Light and crisp coating.
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder – Add depth and balance.
For the Burgers:
- Bacon – Cooked until crispy for a smoky, salty bite.
- Ground Beef (1½ lbs) – The juicy base for your patties.
- Kosher Salt, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper – Classic burger seasonings.
- Canola Oil – Helps sear the burgers in the pan.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Melts beautifully over hot patties.
- Barbecue Sauce – Sweet and smoky, used on both sides of the bun.
- Gluten-Free Buns, Lettuce – For building the perfect burger stack.
Can you cook raw bacon in a burger?
Absolutely! Cooking raw bacon in a burger is totally doable. The key is to ensure both the bacon and the burger patty are thoroughly cooked.
To achieve this, it's best to partially cook the bacon before incorporating it into the burger mixture. This approach not only guarantees food safety but also helps retain the burger's juiciness.
So go ahead and indulge in the savory goodness of a bacon-infused burger, knowing you've got all the tips to make it just right!
Can you cook hamburger and bacon in the same pan?
Indeed, cooking hamburgers and bacon in the same pan is convenient and adds a delightful depth of flavor to your dish.
Ensure your pan is spacious enough to allow ample room between the meat and bacon slices. This space ensures they cook evenly and develop that coveted rich brown crust and crispy texture rather than steaming.
So simplify your cooking process and enhance your flavors by combining these classic favorites in one pan!
Is it better to cook bacon fast or slow?
Certainly, the secret to perfect bacon is cooking it low and slowly. This gentle approach allows the fat to render slowly, resulting in beautifully crispy and irresistibly flavorful bacon. Rushing the process at high temperatures risks uneven cooking or, worse, burnt bacon.
By taking your time and savoring the cooking process, you'll ensure each slice of bacon is a delectable delight. So embrace the slow-cooking method and indulge in the ultimate bacon experience!
Does adding water to bacon make it crispy?
Yes, adding water to bacon can indeed enhance its crispiness. As the water heats up and eventually boils, it renders the fat from the bacon. Moreover, the presence of water minimizes splattering, ensuring a cleaner cooking process.
Once the water evaporates, the bacon is left to crisp up beautifully, resulting in that irresistible texture we all love. So, next time you're craving perfectly crispy bacon, consider trying this method for a delightful culinary experience!
Can I use turkey bacon instead?
Yes, though the flavor and crispness will differ slightly.
How to Make BBQ Bacon Burgers
Step 1: Make the Crispy Onions
Soak sliced onions in a buttermilk and egg mixture for 20–60 minutes.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, panko, and seasonings. Heat oil to 375°F.
Dredge the onions in the flour mixture, then fry in batches until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: Make the Burger Patties
In a bowl, mix ground beef with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Shape into 4 patties.
Heat canola oil in a skillet, then sear patties for 4–5 minutes per side.
Add cheddar cheese during the last minute of cooking.
Step 4: Assemble
Toast the buns, then layer the bottom bun with BBQ sauce, lettuce, burger, bacon, crispy onions, and another drizzle of BBQ sauce. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately.
Time & Serves
Ingredients
1 cup Buttermilk
1 large Egg
1 medium Yellow Onion thinly sliced
1 cup Canola Oil
1/2 cup Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 cup Gluten-Free Panko Breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
8 slices of Bacon
1 tablespoon Canola Oil
1 1/2 lbs. Ground Beef
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
4 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce
4 Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns
1 cup Lettuce
Instructions
Whisk the buttermilk and egg in a medium bowl until combined.
Add the onions to the buttermilk mixture and toss to combine. Make sure the onions are fully submerged in the buttermilk. Let them sit for 20–60 minutes, tossing them occasionally.
Place the canola oil in a Dutch oven or deep skillet, set it over medium-high heat, and let it heat to 375 °F.
Whisk the gluten-free all-purpose flour, salt, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, black pepper, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
Take some of the onions out of the buttermilk mixture, add them to the gluten-free flour mixture, and toss to combine. Shake off the excess gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, and carefully fully lower the onions into the hot oil using a pair of tongs. Cook the onions until golden brown, then remove the oil and place them onto a paper towel to drain the oil.
Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place the bacon slices in the skillet and cook them until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
Remove the bacon slices from the skillet. Place the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate.
Place the ground beef in a medium bowl, add the kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, and mix to combine.
Divide the ground beef into four portions, shape them into burger patties, and place them on a plate.
Add canola oil to the skillet and set to medium-high heat. Add two burgers to the grill pan and cook them for 4–5 minutes until browned.
Flip the burgers over. Cook them for 3–4 minutes. Add one slice of cheddar cheese on top of each burger and cook them for 1 minute until it starts to melt. Remove the burgers from the grill pan, and place the burgers onto a plate.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 to cook the remaining burgers.
Toast the gluten-free hamburger buns if desired, then place them onto 4 plates.
Add 1 tablespoon of BBQ sauce to each bottom bun, then top with lettuce, burgers, bacon, and onions. Spread the remaining BBQ sauce on the remaining burger buns and place them on top of the burger.
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