This is a great recipe for tail gating, grilling at home or on the stove top.  I made this for my family to kick off the Football Season. Now I do have to say this, If your grilling or tail gating chill the patties in your cooler or mini storage fridge before grilling. This helps them to stay together on the grill. If you’re at home cooking them on a griddle or pan it really does not matter. 

This meat mixture is very simply seasoned but is very flavorful. I do not like to over season the flavor of the meat. It takes away the natural flavor of the meat.

Now, Lets talk cheeses. I use Cheddar or Swiss. I think they melt really well but, you can use what ever you like as long as it melts good.

Now comes the Bacon. Everything is made better with bacon. I use  Hickory or Apple wood smoked depending on what mood I am in that day. If you don’t have it then don’t worry about it, You can use what you have on hand. Just cook it and let it drain and cool before hand so it is very easy to handle. Now that we have that down let’s get started. Here is what you need.

2 lbs. Ground Beef ( I use 80-20)

1/4 c.  Milk

1 Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tsp. Seasoned Salt

3/4 Tsp. Salt

2 Tsp. Pepper ( we like pepper in this recipe)

8 Pieces Bacon, Cooked, Cooled and Drained

8 Slices of cheese of your choice ( at room temperature. This helps it melt better)

8 Burger Buns that has been toasted in butter until slightly browned

(1.) Ok. Now let’s get this going. In a bowl Add in your Meat, Milk and all of the Seasonings and mix together with your hands until well combined. You can chill this until your ready to make the patties. Just cover with plastic and put in the fridge.

(2.) Using a 1 cup Measuring cup Measure out the meat mixture and shape into a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch Pattie. Place on  a plate until you get all of the other patties made. Make a indention with your thumb in the center of each Pattie. Do not go all the way through but just a slight indention. This helps the Pattie stay flat and not puff up in the middle.

(3.) Heat up a Cast Iron Pan, Griddle or Grill pan over Medium Low heat until screaming hot. When it is very hot then add the patties to the pan. Leave them alone and let them cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Please do not smash them down. You lose all of the delicious flavor and all the juices that keeps them nice and moist. Avoid the Risk of smashing.

(4.) Now when the patties are almost ready to remove from the pan place the cheese on top and place a lid over them and let them steam for about a minute or two. Remove from them pan and place them on the toasted buttered buns. Cut the bacon in half and place 2 pieces of bacon on top of the cheese and top with the other half of the bun. Place on serving platter and serve.

Add In’s:

Lettuce of your choice

Tomatoes, sliced

Onions, sliced

Dill pickle rounds or spears

ketchup

Mustard if you like it and of your choice

Mayonnaise if you like it and of your choice