Classic Bacon Cheeseburger

Ingredients

• 1½ lb ground beef, 80/20
• 8 slice bacon
• 4 cheddar cheese slices
• 4 hamburger buns
• 4 lettuce leaves (optional)
• 1 tomato (optional)
• ½ red onion (optional)
• 2 tbsp ketchup (optional)
• 2 tbsp mustard (optional)
• ¼ cup pickle slices (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (optional)

Steps

1. Form the ground beef into four equal patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon, drain excess fat, and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
3. If needed, add a small amount of oil to the skillet. Cook the beef patties for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness. In the last minute of cooking, place a cheese slice on each patty to melt.
4. While patties cook, lightly toast the hamburger buns on a grill, in a toaster, or in the skillet.
5. Assemble the burgers: place a patty with melted cheese on the bottom half of each bun, top with two slices of crispy bacon.
6. Add desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard, then cover with the top bun.