Maple-Glazed Bacon and Sweet-Salty Burger

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A juicy grilled beef burger topped with maple-glazed bacon and a sweet-savory sauce, perfect for a Father's Day cookout. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 620 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your grill 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, forming into 4 equal patties about 3/4 inch thick.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, add 6 bacon slices and cook for 4-5 minutes until starting to brown but still flexible. Brush 3 tbsp maple syrup evenly on both sides of the bacon and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes per side until caramelized and sticky. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Place the burger patties on the grill and cook for 4 minutes on one side. Flip and place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty, cooking for another 3-4 minutes until cheese melts and the burgers reach medium doneness.
  4. Step 4: While burgers cook, split 4 burger buns and brush cut sides with 2 tbsp melted butter. Toast buns cut side down on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden and slightly crispy.
  5. Step 5: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp honey, stirring until smooth.
  6. Step 6: Assemble the burgers by spreading the mayo-mustard sauce on the bottom bun, adding a lettuce leaf, a slice of 1 medium tomato, the cheesy burger patty, two slices of maple-glazed bacon, and topping with the bun.
  7. Step 7: Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Bacon and Sweet-Salty Burger 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 Maple-Glazed Bacon and Sweet-Salty 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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Bacon and Sweet-Salty 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 Maple-Glazed Bacon and Sweet-Salty 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 Maple-Glazed Bacon and Sweet-Salty 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.

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