Grilled Farmhouse Burger with Smoky Bacon and Aged Cheddar
Juicy hand-pattied beef burger grilled to perfection, topped with smoky bacon, melted aged cheddar, and served on a toasted bun with crisp lettuce and tomato. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef (80/20), smoked bacon slices, aged cheddar cheese slices for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 smoked bacon slices
- 4 aged cheddar cheese slices
- 4 burger buns
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). In a bowl, gently mix 1 lb ground beef with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper; form into four 4-inch diameter patties.
- Step 2: Brush 1 tbsp olive oil on burger buns and set aside.
- Step 3: Place bacon slices on the grill, cooking for 5-7 minutes until crisp and browned, flipping halfway; remove and drain on paper towels.
- Step 4: Grill the beef patties for 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness, placing a slice of aged cheddar cheese on each patty during the last minute to melt.
- Step 5: While the burgers cook, grill the bun halves cut side down for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Step 6: Spread 1 tbsp mayonnaise mixed with 1 tbsp Dijon mustard evenly on bottom buns.
- Step 7: Assemble burgers by layering lettuce leaves, tomato slices, cheesy beef patty, and two slices of smoky bacon on each bun; top with the bun tops and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Farmhouse Burger with Smoky Bacon and Aged Cheddar take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Farmhouse Burger with Smoky Bacon and Aged Cheddar?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef (80/20) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Farmhouse Burger with Smoky Bacon and Aged Cheddar?
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 Farmhouse Burger with Smoky Bacon and Aged Cheddar 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 Farmhouse Burger with Smoky Bacon and Aged Cheddar?
American sandwiches & wraps 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.