This Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger is not your average burger recipe! The homemade sauce has heat from jalapenos and hot sauce, sweetness from maple syrup, and smokiness from the BBQ sauce. These ingredients are mixed to create a delightfully balanced condiment that’s great on a cheeseburger or anything you want! I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s always a hit.
If you’ve ever had Whataburger’s Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger, you’ll notice the similar flavors because this recipe was inspired by it.
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The bold flavors come through in every bite, and you won’t be able to stop eating it! A good burger is one of my top foods, and this sauce just makes it even better. I keep plenty of extra sauce on hand because everyone wants to use it on other foods including sandwiches, hot dogs, and fries. It’s just that delicious.
The balance of sweetness and heat in this recipe adds amazing flavor without overpowering the beef and bacon. If you like tasty copycat recipes, you will love Alice Springs Chicken and KFC Mashed Potato Bowl.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It’s so easy: This is a simple burger recipe to make any time you want. The flavorful patties are simply seasoned and combined with other ingredients to make them even more amazing.
- It’s customizable: I like to call this recipe a “blank canvas” because there are so many ways to modify it to suit your personal preferences.
- It’s budget-friendly: The ingredients are inexpensive, so you won’t break the bank making this showstopping burger.
Ingredients
Below are all of the components needed to make these spicy burgers, as well as the scrumptious homemade sauce.
For the burgers
- Buns: You can use any variety of burger bun that you’d like. Sometimes I go with a basic sesame seed bun, and other times I like to use a buttery brioche. It doesn’t matter as long as it can stand up to the burger and toppings.
- Ground beef: I like lean ground beef for this to reduce the grease. Plus, you will be adding caramelized onions, sauce, and bacon to it later. They will add plenty of fat and moisture. Try this recipe with ground pork, turkey, or veal, too!
- Onion: A sweet onion is perfect, but a yellow or white onion is also a good option. Red onions are too strong and don’t caramelize properly to get the sweet and delicious flavor. Thinly slice the onion for the best results!
- Butter: I use salted butter as the fat for cooking the onions. The saltiness is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the onions.
- Cheese: For an extra melty result, I use two cheeses: sharp cheddar and pepper jack. Other tasty options are provolone, Swiss, and American. Choose your two favorites, or double up on one!
- Bacon: Thick-cut bacon is my go-to for this, so you can get that crispy texture and salty flavor in every bite. Good hickory-smoked or applewood-smoked bacon adds the perfect balance to the sweet and spicy flavors of the other ingredients.
- Mayonnaise: This is optional, but for me, a good burger needs a little slathering of mayo. Hellmann’s is the only kind I use, but go with your favorite brand!
For the sauce
- Maple syrup: This adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the sauce, while also providing depth and complexity. You can use honey instead if you prefer.
- Ketchup: My go-to base with homemade sauces and glazes is usually ketchup. It thickens nicely, doesn’t have an overpowering flavor, and has a subtle acidity for balance.
- Jalapenos: Cooked or pickled jalapenos aren’t as intense as fresh, and will provide a subtle texture but not crunch. Either can be used to add some kick.
- BBQ sauce: Use any brand and variety that you’d like! If you want more sweetness, try honey or brown sugar. If you want more balance, try an original smoky flavor—you can’t go wrong!
- Hot sauce: Try any variety of hot sauce. I don’t want overwhelming spice, so I go with a simple hot sauce like Texas Pete or Cholula. They are flavorful, but not incredibly hot.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Korean-inspired: Use a Korean BBQ sauce and gochujang instead of hot sauce for Korean flair.
- Cajun: Add a touch of Cajun seasoning to the beef, and then use a vinegar-based hot sauce like Tabasco in the sauce for a Cajun kick.
- Pineapple sriracha: Swap some of the maple syrup for pineapple juice and add some diced pineapple. Use sriracha as the hot sauce for a tropical twist.
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Burgers
To get started on your sweet and spicy bacon burger recipe, preheat your skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Then, it’s ready for you to get cooking!
Step 1: Form and season the patties. Season the ground beef with salt and pepper and mix to combine. Form the mixture into 4 equal burger patties. Set them aside.
Step 2: Caramelize the onions. Add the sliced onions to a hot skillet with the butter and cook until they begin to soften and caramelize. Take them out of the skillet and put them to the side.
Step 3: Cook the burgers and add cheese. Place the burger patties into the same skillet and cook them for 6-9 minutes, depending on how rare you would like them. Flip and add both varieties of cheese on top of each one. Cook them for an additional 6-9 minutes on the second side.
Step 4: Make the sauce. Combine all of the sauce ingredients into a small mixing bowl. Whisk until everything is well combined and creates a cohesive sauce.
Step 5: Assemble. Make your burgers by spreading mayo on the bottom, then adding a patty, bacon, caramelized onions, and a spoonful of sauce.
Step 6: Serve. Finish with the top bun and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t smash the burger: Let the burger cook and refrain from squeezing it with the spatula. This can squeeze all the juices out and dry out the patty. Only do this if you are making a smash burger.
- Handle the beef gently: Don’t overmix or overwork the meat to ensure your burgers stay tender and juicy. Handling them too much will make them tough.
- Let them rest: Before serving, let the burgers rest. This will allow the juices to be redistributed, ensuring a moist patty!
If you love recipes with bacon, you may also enjoy this Cowboy Burger, Sweet Chili Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, or this Bourbon Burger!
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftover burger patties and each of the components separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The burger, onions, and bacon will last 3-4 days while the sauce is good for up to a week.
- Reheating: Reheat the patty and toppings in a skillet on the stovetop. You can also microwave the burger for 2-3 minutes or until it’s warm.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the sauce, form the burgers, and store the components in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to make cooking them easy—especially if you’re serving them to guests!
Serving Suggestions
- Add more of your favorite burger toppings to make it your own! Try horseradish pickles or regular pickles for crunch and zesty flavor. I also enjoy slaws, such as this cranberry and apple coleslaw for texture and freshness.
- Use avocado aioli instead of traditional mayonnaise for an extra creamy twist.
- Mashed potato fries are a great twist on classic French fries. They are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.
- I bet you can’t name a better pairing than a burger and shake! This Nutella milkshake is a sweet and rich pairing for this sweet spicy bacon burger.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Grilling adds a smoky flavor and char from the grill marks. Preheat to medium heat and cook for the same time as you would in a skillet.
If your burgers puff up, create a small indent in the middle of each patty before you cook them. This will help them keep their shape.
If the heat in your pan isn’t high enough, you don’t get color or a nice crust on the outside. Ensure the pan is fully preheated and hot before you start cooking.
More Delicious Burger Recipes
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger
Equipment
- large, heavy bottom skillet
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons jarred or cooked jalapenos finely diced
- ¼ cup BBQ Sauce
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
For the burgers:
- 4 burger buns
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 mix is best
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 large sweet onion sliced
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 12 slices cooked crispy bacon
- 4 Tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat a large heavy bottom, skillet over medium heat and add the butter.
- While your skillet is heating, prepare your burger patties by combining the ground beef with salt and pepper and shaping 4 equal round patties and placing them aside.
- Once the skillet is heated, add the onions to the skillet with the butter and saute for about 5 minutes or until they start to caramelize and become brown. Remove the onions from skillet and set aside.
- Place the patties in the skillet and cook for approximately 6-9 minutes depending on your desired doneness. For some extra yummy flavor cook them in the grease from your bacon!
- Use a spatula to flip each burger patty and top with a slice of each cheese allowing it to cook for another 6-9 minutes while the burger finishes cooking and the cheese melts.
- While the cheese melts, prepare the sauce by mixing together the maple syrup, ketchup, jalapenos, BBQ sauce and hot sauce in a small bowl.
- Once your burgers are cooked, assemble them by spreading mayonnaise on the bottom bun, top with a burger, then caramelized onions, bacon, and drizzle with a generous amount of sweet and spicy sauce before adding the top bun.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Try making your burgers on the grill instead. It adds char and a smoky flavor that pairs well with the sweet and spicy sauce.
- Prepare your components up to 24 hours in advance to make life easy when it’s time to cook. I love doing this if I’m throwing a party.
- Make these burgers using ground beef, pork, veal, or turkey. You can even use a combination to add complex flavor and texture.
Nancy says
Used just cheddar because that’s what I had and they tasted great. That sauce is definitely a keeper. Grandchildren loved it. Thx
Karin and Ken says
These burgers are delicious with all cheeses. We just love the sauce too. All the best. Karin
Sal says
Love this burger and the sauce is amazing and super easy. Will definitely be making them again. Thank you
Karin and Ken says
I could not agree more. All the best. Karin