Description
This Crack Burger recipe transforms classic American burgers by incorporating sour cream, ranch dressing mix, crunchy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese directly into the patties for an ultra-flavorful, juicy burger experience. Perfectly grilled and nestled in soft brioche buns, these burgers are topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard, and mayonnaise for a crave-worthy meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress at your next cookout or family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burger Patties
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 recommended for juiciness)
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
- 8 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For Assembly
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 6 brioche buns
- Lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
- Pickles
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the ground beef, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese with your hands or a sturdy spoon until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
- Shape Patties: Divide the mixture into six equal portions and gently shape each into a round hamburger patty of uniform size and thickness. Press a small dimple into the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up while cooking.
- Preheat Cooking Surface: Preheat your grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium heat to ensure even cooking and proper searing of the patties.
- Cook Patties: Place the patties on the preheated surface and cook them according to your preferred doneness level, flipping once gently to prevent breaking. Grill times typically range from 3-5 minutes per side.
- Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperatures — 130–135°F for medium-rare, 140–145°F for medium, and 160°F for well-done to ensure food safety and preferred cook.
- Rest Patties: Remove the patties from heat and let them rest for a few minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute for maximum juiciness and flavor.
- Assemble Burgers: Toast the brioche buns if desired. Place each patty onto a bun, top with a slice of cheddar cheese, then layer with fresh lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, mustard, and mayonnaise. Add additional toppings like onions or avocado if you prefer.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your flavorful, cheesy crack-inspired burger.
Notes
- You can precook bacon in advance to save time when prepping the patties.
- Using 80/20 ground beef balances flavor and juiciness; leaner beef may result in drier burgers.
- Allowing patties to rest after cooking is key to juicy burgers.
- Feel free to customize toppings according to personal preference, including pickled jalapeños for heat or caramelized onions for sweetness.
- Ensure patties are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crack burger, cheesy bacon burger, ranch burger, grilled burgers, sour cream burger, brioche bun burger, homemade burgers
