Quick and Easy Bacon-Burgers

We love bacon on our burgers. Sometimes, though, laying a piece or two of perfectly crisp bacon across the top of a burger just doesn't cut it. So, one day, last fall, Brent or I (we can't remember who) had a spark of genius: chop up the bacon and mix it into the burger meat. YUM.

It came out so well the first time, we did it for our guests the next time we had a football watching party. The bacon-burgers were a huge hit! 

Each time we've made these babies, we've tried different spices. Here, I will provide my most common blend... but feel free to mix it up as you like! ;)

Ingredients (makes 4 medium-sized burgers)

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 2 slices of uncooked bacon (sugar- and additive-free if you're doing a Whole30 or 21DSD), chopped into small pieces
• 3 - 4 drops of Chipotle Tabasco Sauce (not actually sugar free... oops!)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Method

1. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients well in a medium-size bowl. 
2. Form four round balls and press them patties between your hands. (Also, I recommend pressing a small divot in the center of the patties to help prevent them from seizing up into balls again once they go on the grill.)
3. Grill on each side for 5 to 7 minutes for medium-rare.
4. Serve alone or on lettuce leaves.

Not all of the bacon bits get crispy (for obvious reasons), but any that happen to be partially peaking out when you plot the patties on the grill, certainly will. The best part: that delicious, bacon-y flavor is throughout the burgers, not just on top. :)