Grizzlies' Smoky BBQ Burger
Juicy beef patties smothered in house-made smoky barbecue sauce and melted cheddar, served on toasted brioche buns for a Memphis-inspired game-day favorite. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef (80% lean), barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese slices for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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% lean)
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 4 cheddar cheese slices
- 4 brioche buns
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup, diced red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped dill pickles
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Form 1 lb ground beef into 4 equal patties, 3/4 inch thick, and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook for 4 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F, turning once.
- Step 3: During the last minute of cooking, place 1 slice cheddar cheese on each patty and cover to melt.
- Step 4: Toast 4 brioche buns in a toaster for 2 minutes until golden.
- Step 5: Assemble burgers: place patty on bottom bun, spread 1/4 cup barbecue sauce over patty, top with 1/2 cup diced red onion and 1/4 cup chopped pickles, then add top bun.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grizzlies' Smoky BBQ Burger take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Grizzlies' Smoky BBQ Burger?
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% lean) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grizzlies' Smoky BBQ Burger?
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 Grizzlies' Smoky BBQ Burger 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 Grizzlies' Smoky BBQ Burger?
American grilling 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
