Bacon cheeseburgers are one of the most popular burger combinations around. How about adding a slightly sweet blueberry jam to this iconic burger to “take it up a notch” as they say. It’s an easy addition and it adds the sweet-savory flavor that is so remarkable in food pairings. Perfect for 4th of July or Summer BBQs!

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RECIPE
Ingredients & Substitutions
Step-by-Step Directions
Tips for Cooking Burgers Indoors

Blueberry bacon cheeseburger on a white plate and red background. — Blueberry Bacon Cheeseburger

Best Additions or Substitutions

Cheeseburgers are easy to customize and can adapt to the tastes of the crowd at a Summer barbecue or gathering. Simply lay out an array of different accompaniments and let people assemble their own burger.

Here are some popular additions or substitutions for customizing a blueberry-bacon-cheeseburger:

Replace lettuce with spicy arugula
Replace gouda cheese with blue cheese
Replace blueberry jam with this recipe for blueberry BBQ sauce
Add a basil aioli instead of mayo (see notes in recipe card for directions)
Toast the buns with a bit of oil if you want extra crunch
Use red onions for added color

Ingredients for blueberry bacon cheeseburger

Illustrated Step-by-Step:

Step #1: Cook the bacon to your preferred crispiness

Step #2: Grill or pan-fry the burgers (see cooking tips for best burgers below)

Burger patties with thumbprint in the middle for cooking without shrinkage.

1/2 pound burger patties cooking in cast iron skillet

Step #3: While burgers are cooking make a blueberry compote if you are not using pre-made blueberry jam

Step #4: Assemble the burgers with blueberry jam and your preferred burger accompaniments

Best Method for Cooking Burgers Indoors

While grilling is a popular method for burgers in the Summertime, our weather in Minnesota doesn’t always cooperate when I want a good burger. I tend to opt for cooking burgers in a grill pan or skillet on the stove, so I can enjoy them quickly and without a lot of grill prep.

There are a few keys to making the juiciest, tastiest burgers in a skillet however. Here are the tips to consider for a 5-star burger:

Get chuck that has at least 20% fat; lean burgers are just not optimal for flavor
1 pound of burger will make about 3 good sized patties (1/2-inch-thick and 4 1/2 inches in diameter) that fit in standard grocery store buns
Heat a cast iron pan up before placing the burgers in it.
Cook over medium high heat at the beginning to get a good sear and then lower the heat a bit to cook it through
If your sear is good but the inside of the burger is not getting done, lower the heat a bit more and place a cover on the skillet
If you want perfectly melted cheese on your burger, wait until they are 90% done, place the cheese on top and cover the skillet with a see-through cover if possible. Watch for the cheese to melt to your desired consistency and then remove burgers and let them rest about 3-5 minutes
For patties that are loosely packed and 1/2-inch-thick, cook about 4 minutes on one side, and then flip and cook 3 minutes on the other side. This will be medium-rare.

Blueberry Bacon Cheeseburgers

Add some blueberry jam or compote to your bacon cheeseburgers for a perfect Summer gathering and a real flavor enhancement. Allows the sweet and savory flavors to shine.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Servings

Calories 942

Author Dorothy Stainbrook

Equipment

skillet Cast iron is preferable
sharp knife
Spatula
Tongs

Ingredients

5 Ounces bacon strips cut in half
1 Pound chuck ground beef
2 ½ Ounces cheese I used gouda
2 Slices crisp lettuce
1 Tablespoon mayonnaise optional
½ onion red if you have it
⅓ Cup blueberry jam or homemade blueberry compote
3 hamburger buns

Instructions

Cut bacon strips in half and cook in a large skillet over medium high heat until done to your preference (crispy or softer).
5 Ounces bacon
Form ground beef into 3 1/2-inch patties about 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Sprinkle with salt and use your thumb to add a small indent in the middle of the patty to help keep it from shrinking.
Heat a bit of oil in a cast iron skillet and when it is hot add your patties to the skillet.
Sear on one side about 4 minutes, or until browned. Flip and cook on the other side about 3 minutes for medium rare.
When the burgers are almost done to your preference, add the cheese on top and cover the pan, cooking a little longer until the cheese is melted (about 1-2 minutes)
1 Pound chuck ground beef, 2 1/2 Ounces cheese
While the burgers are cooking, lay out your accompaniments and toast the buns.
Assemble the burgers: Spread the toasted buns liberally with mayonnaise. Place lettuce on top of the mayo, followed by the cheeseburger, a few spoonfuls of blueberry sauce, 3 1/2 slices of bacon, and a slice of red onion.a big pinch of arugula. Repeat with the remaining burgers.
2 Slices crisp lettuce, 1/2 onion, 1/3 Cup blueberry jam, 3 hamburger buns, 1 Tablespoon mayonnaise

Notes

**Here is a simple process to make your own blueberry compote/jam

Nutrition

Calories: 942kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 42gFat: 62gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 823mgPotassium: 629mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 258IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 271mgIron: 5mg

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Blueberry Bacon Cheeseburger for Summer Gatherings