American Royal Bacon Mozzarella Burgers

Essential Tools
Cutting board
Chef knife
Large skillet
Slotted spoon
Paper towels
Plate
Large bowl
Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
Rimmed baking pan
Kitchen brush
Spatula
Instant-read thermometer
Aluminum foil

Ingredients
3/4 pound bacon, cut into ¼-inch dice
2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp Twist’d Q™ Texas Bold Brisket Rub (Currently in stores as American Royal Beef Rub)
1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
6 hamburger buns

Garnish suggestions
Shredded lettuce
Sliced tomato
Sliced red onion
Sliced avocado
Cooked bacon slices
Sliced Cheddar cheese
Your favorite BBQ sauce
Pickle chips

Cook the Bacon

1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat for 6 minutes or until cooked about halfway through; stirring occasionally.
2. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the diced bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.

Mix and Form the Patties

1. In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef, bacon, mozzarella, Worcestershire sauce and Texas Bold Rub until well blended but not over mixed.
2. Gently form the beef mixture into 6 patties and place on a rimmed baking pan.
3. With a kitchen brush, apply half of the oil to the tops of the burgers.

Cook the Burgers

1. Prepare the grill for direct grilling and heat to 450°F.
2. Using a spatula, gently place the burgers oiled side down on the hot grill grate and grill the burgers for 4 minutes.
3. Rotate 45 degrees and grill another 4 minutes to create crosshatch marks.
4. Using a kitchen brush, apply the remaining oil to the tops of the burgers and flip.
5. Grill for 4 minutes, rotate and cover the grill.
6. Grill for another 4 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the burgers reaches 160°F.
7. Transfer the burgers to a clean cutting board and tent with aluminum foil. Let stand 7 minutes.
8. Toast the buns if desired during the last 3 minutes of grilling, and serve the burgers with your favorite garnishes.

Tips

• Freeze the bacon 20 minutes before dicing, it will be easier to handle.
• Be gentle when mixing and forming the patties. Squeezing the meat through your fingers or being too aggressive can make the burgers tough.
• Use a spatula rather than tongs to flip and rotate the burgers to prevent releasing the tasty juices from the burgers and drying them out.

To grill the burgers on a charcoal grill:

1. Remove the top grate from the charcoal grill.
2. Place coals in a chimney starter.
3. Spark the coals and let the coals burn until they are covered with a thick layer of gray ash.
4. Spread the coals on the bottom rack.
5. If the grill does not have a built-in thermometer, attach an oven thermometer to the top grill grate, replace the top grate and close the grill.
6. Once the temperature of the grilling chamber reaches 450°F, place the burgers on the hot grill grate and continue grilling as directed for a gas grill.