Grilled Cheddar-Stuffed Bacon Burger with Smoky Chipotle Mayo
Juicy beef burgers grilled and stuffed with sharp cheddar cheese, topped with crispy bacon and smoky chipotle mayonnaise. This american-inspired beef ready in about 35 minutes turns ground beef (80/20), sliced sharp cheddar cheese, strips bacon strips into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 720 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 4 oz, sliced sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 strips bacon strips
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp, minced chipotle in adobo sauce
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 4 burger buns
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 8 tomato slices
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Mix gently to combine without overworking the meat.
- Step 2: Divide the beef mixture into 8 equal portions. Flatten 4 portions into 1/2-inch thick patties. Place 1 oz sliced sharp cheddar cheese on each patty. Top with remaining 4 patties and seal edges well to encase the cheese.
- Step 3: Grill the stuffed patties for about 5-6 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 160°F and cheese is melted.
- Step 4: While burgers grill, cook 8 strips of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp minced chipotle in adobo, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder to make smoky chipotle mayo.
- Step 6: Toast 4 burger buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Step 7: Assemble burgers by spreading chipotle mayo on both bun halves, topping bottoms with lettuce leaves, placing the cheddar-stuffed burger patty, 2 slices of tomato, and 2 strips of crispy bacon, then closing with the top bun.
- Step 8: Serve immediately while hot and juicy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Cheddar-Stuffed Bacon Burger with Smoky Chipotle Mayo take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Cheddar-Stuffed Bacon Burger with Smoky Chipotle Mayo?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Cheddar-Stuffed Bacon Burger with Smoky Chipotle Mayo?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Cheddar-Stuffed Bacon Burger with Smoky Chipotle Mayo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Cheddar-Stuffed Bacon Burger with Smoky Chipotle Mayo?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
