American Royal Bacon Mozzarella Burgers

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Difficulty

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.