If you love a good burger, then you need to try a Cowboy Burger! The patty is well seasoned, making every bite extra delicious. I also use a homemade cowboy sauce, which adds a bold and tangy flavor that perfectly complements the beef and toppings.
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I top this burger with the classics like cheese, lettuce, and tomato. I also include salty bacon strips and onion rings to make it fit for a cowboy. The sauce is the secret weapon—it combines creamy mayo with smoky BBQ sauce and tangy Dijon to create a balanced and unique condiment.
If you like filling and satisfying dinner recipes, you will love Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs, Bourbon Burger and Guinness Beef Stew.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s full of bold flavors: Between the smoky and tangy cowboy sauce, bacon, onion rings, and seasoning on the burger itself, you have the perfect combination to create an explosion of flavor in these cowboy burgers.
- The burgers are ready in 35 minutes: It takes just over 30 minutes to prepare, cook, and assemble this burger recipe. You don’t need to spend hours on a delicious meal.
- It’s an easy recipe: This burger is so simple to make, with easy-to-follow steps—even if you don’t cook often!
Ingredients
Below are all of the cowboy burger ingredients as well as the cowboy sauce for the burgers. I’ve grouped them together to make it easy to follow.
For the cowboy sauce
- Mayonnaise: This adds fat, creaminess, and richness to the sauce recipe. It makes the perfect base to build flavor on!
- Barbecue sauce: Use any brand and variety of BBQ sauce you want for the cowboy sauce. I love a classic, smoky sauce to reinforce the cowboy vibes. You can opt for a sweet or even a spicy one instead.
- Dijon mustard: To brighten the recipe, I love Dijon mustard. It adds a pop of acidity from the vinegar flavor with a subtle heat that balances the mayo and BBQ sauce beautifully.
For the burgers
- Worcestershire sauce: This adds umami flavor and moisture to the burger patties. It’s a simple and inexpensive ingredient that takes ground beef up a notch.
- Seasoning: I keep it simple with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. These subtle spices add plenty of flavor but not enough to overpower the natural flavor of the meat or the various toppings.
- Ground beef: I like 80% lean ground beef for burgers. They have just the right amount of fat without producing too much grease. Feel free to use a combination of ground meat like beef and pork if you like.
- Buns: You will need a sturdy bun that can stand up to the juicy patty and toppings. I typically use brioche, but feel free to use your favorite.
- Cheese: I use cheddar cheese slices for these cowboy cheeseburgers. Cheddar is classic and pairs well with the sauce and bacon. American cheese also melts perfectly if you want to try another variety.
- Toppings: Of course, you need some crispy onion rings if you’re making a proper cowboy burger! I also added bacon strips, lettuce, and tomato. Classic and delish!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Spicy: Take the flavor up a level with some heat! Add your favorite hot sauce to the cowboy sauce, and sliced jalapenos for a real kick.
- Hawaiian: Make a sweet tropical version by adding a slice of pineapple to your burger.
- California: A California version would be great, too. Add sliced or mashed avocado on top.
- Meatless: Try an Impossible patty or your favorite plant-based alternative for a meatless version.
How to Make a Cowboy Burger
Here are the instructions on how to prepare and assemble a cowboy BBQ burger. Prepare the onion rings and bacon according to the package directions, so they are cooked and ready when the burgers are.
Step 1: Make the sauce. Add all of the cowboy sauce ingredients to a medium bowl and mix until it’s all combined. Refrigerate while you're working on the rest of the recipe.
Step 2: Season the beef. Combine the ground beef with the spices and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl and mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 3: Form the burger patties. Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties that are about ¾ inch thick.
Step 4: Cook the burgers. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties to the hot pan and cook them for about 5-6 minutes per side or until they have a nice crust on the outside and are cooked to your preference—this timing will give you medium doneness!
Step 5: Add the cheese. During the last minute of cooking time, add a slice of cheese to each patty. Cover with a lid to help the cheese melt quickly. Remove the burgers from the skillet and set them aside.
Step 6: Assemble and serve. Toast your buns if desired. Then, spread cowboy sauce on the bottom buns and top with lettuce, tomato, burger patties, 2 strips of bacon, onion rings, and more sauce if you want! Finish with the top bun and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Press a thumbprint into the center of each patty: Burger patties tend to puff up in the middle as they cook. Use your thumb to make an indent into the center of each patty to keep it flat as it cooks.
- Let them rest after cooking: Allow the burgers a few minutes to rest after they cook. This keeps them juicy by letting the juices redistribute in the meat. That way, each bite is moist and tender.
- Don’t overwork the meat mixture: When mixing the seasonings into the ground beef, don’t overwork it. This can lead to tough, chewy burgers.
If you love recipes like this hearty cowboy burger, you may also enjoy this Easy Cowboy Stew Recipe.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and the sauce in a jar for up to 5 days. You can freeze the burger patties cooked or raw for up to 3 months. If freezing uncooked, place a piece of parchment between burgers to keep them from freezing together.
- Reheating: For best results, lightly reheat the burger in a skillet or medium-low heat until it is warmed through.
- Make Ahead: If you are planning to whip up some cowboy burgers for a cookout, you can season and form the burger patties, cover them with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator. The same goes for the homemade sauce!
Serving Suggestions
- Coleslaw makes a great topping or side for burgers! Try this simple recipe for my grandma’s coleslaw.
- Add some hot BBQ sauce as an additional topping or instead of the cowboy sauce for a kick. copycat Big Mac sauce is a great condiment for burgers, too.
- Do you want an easy side dish? Try cooking steak fries in the air fryer or air fried sweet potato fries.
- Make smaller patties and serve them on Hawaiian rolls as tasty cowboy sliders for an appetizer.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! This is a great way to prepare the burgers ahead, so they are ready to cook when you’re ready to eat. I love shortcuts that help with dinner prep!
Of course. I recommend using a rack in the air fryer basket to lift the burgers out of the grease and help them brown on the outside. Air fry them at 400°F for 7-8 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes.
Yes. Place them on a wire rack over a sheet pan and cook them for 8-10 minutes at 400°F. Flip and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until they reach your desired doneness.
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!
Cowboy Burger
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cowboy Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Burger Patties:
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- salt to taste
For Assembling the Burgers:
- 1½ pounds ground beef 80% lean
- 4 brioche buns or your favorite dense bun
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- lettuce leaves
- tomato sliced
- 8 slices bacon cooked until crispy
- frozen onion rings cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
For the Cowboy Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir until smooth and well blended. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
For the Onion Rings:
- Cook frozen onion rings according to package instructions. You need them cooked to assemble each burger.
For the Bacon:
- Cook bacon strips according to package directions and set aside until burger assembly. You can also buy the precooked bacon slices, if desired,
For the Burger Patties:
- In a large bowl, add ground beef. Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Gently mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Divide the meat into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a ¾ inch thick patty. Press a slight indentation in the center of each patty.
- Preheat grill, grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the cooking surface if necessary. Place patties on the hot surface. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side for medium doneness.
- During the last 1-2 minutes, add a slice of cheddar cheese to each patty. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil to help the cheese melt evenly and quickly.
- Remove the patties from the pan and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat and allow the meat to rest briefly before assembling.
For Assembling the Burgers:
- Toast hamburger buns on baking sheet under broiler watching closely until golden brown. We always do but it is not necessary.
- Spread cowboy sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Add lettuce and tomato. Place cheese-topped burger patty on the lettuce. Layer 2 bacon slices over the cheese. Add onion rings on top of the bacon. Drizzle additional cowboy sauce over the onion rings. Top with the other half of the bun.
- Serve immediately and pair with french fries, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, or a green salad.
Notes
- Allow the burgers some time to rest after they cook. This ensures you get to bite into a juicy patty.
- Be careful not to overwork the ground beef or the burgers will become tough and dry after they cook.
- Try cooking these burgers on the grill, in the air fryer, or the oven. They are versatile and cook well using a variety of methods.
Nutrition
This post was originally published September 2016. It's been updated with new images and content.
Kyla says
We’ve been making these once a week for months now and look forward to eating and making them. Kids and husband love these easy burgers and you will too. Try them theyre deeeelicious
Karin and Ken says
They’re in our rotation too! Glad you’re enjoying them! All the best. Karin
Adrian says
This burger is so filling and good! For us it’s a toasted cheese bun all the way. Yummy keep these recipes coming! Thank you
Karin and Ken says
Is it ever satisfying! Cheese buns sound great. Might just try that myself! All the best. Karin