Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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To make a delicious bacon burger, add ground bacon to the beef. It makes the patties incredibly juicy and flavorful!

You can go for a 50/50 ratio, but I prefer to add 4 ounces of bacon for each pound of ground beef.

Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

I started making these bacon burgers after transitioning to a low-carb diet in 2011. Suddenly, with no bun, the burger became the star of the show, and I wanted it to be as flavorful and juicy as possible.

I make burgers often. A few of my favorite recipes are broiled burgers, grilled burgers, and baked burgers. They are all excellent. But if you want to make the ultimate burger, mix ground bacon into the meat. It makes for an incredibly flavorful and juicy burger.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Bacon Burger Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Burger Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect
  • Reviews

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make a bacon burger. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Bacon: Use your favorite brand. You'll need 4 ounces, which is half a standard 8-ounce package.
  • Ground beef: I like to use lean ground beef (85/15). I find that leaner than that is too dry, even with the addition of bacon.
  • Seasonings: I almost always use kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes.

Variations

  • You can substitute three cloves of minced fresh garlic for the powder.
  • Experiment with different spices. Some spices I've enjoyed include dry mustard, chili powder, dried thyme, and cumin. You can use a teaspoon of any additional spice or herb with the exception of cumin - this spice is potent, so add just half a teaspoon.

Bacon Burger Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

You start by cutting the bacon into pieces.

Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Process the bacon pieces in your food processor until it's finely ground.

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Combine the ground bacon, ground beef, and seasonings.

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Form the mixture into patties. Make a dimple in the center of the burgers to help them retain their shape.

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Cook the burgers over medium heat until cooked through, 4-5 minutes per side.

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Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (8)

Expert Tips

  • You can go for a 50/50 ratio, mixing 8 ounces of ground beef with 8 ounces of ground bacon. But I like to keep things a bit less fatty and salty (though still delicious!) by mixing 4 ounces of bacon into a pound of ground beef.
  • After cutting the bacon into pieces, it's helpful to freeze them briefly. This makes it easier for the food processor to chop them. They only need 15-20 minutes or so in the freezer.
  • You can par-cook the bacon in the microwave to ensure it becomes fully cooked. In this method, there’s no need to chop and freeze it. Place the four bacon strips on two paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with two more paper towels. Microwave for three minutes, allow to slightly cool, and then chop and mix the par-cooked bacon into the ground beef.

Recipe FAQs

Should I add breadcrumbs or an egg?

There's no need for any type of filler (such as breadcrumbs) or binder (egg) in these tasty burgers. Simply mix the ground beef and bacon, add the seasonings, shape into patties, and pan-fry.

How should I top a bacon burger?

Toppings can include smoked cheddar cheese (my personal favorite), a fried egg, bacon, or avocado. Or all of the above!

Can you put raw bacon in a burger?

Yes. But if you do, you should cook the patties until they're cooked through. If you prefer your burgers medium-rare, you should cook the bacon and crumble it before mixing it into the ground beef.

The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F, which ensures that the bacon is fully cooked, too.

Serving Suggestions

These delicious burgers make the perfect low-carb meal - no bun needed. See the photos? That's how I usually serve them. Sometimes, I add sriracha mayo.

Unless you want a bun, of course, such as cloud bread or 90-second bread. You can also put a bacon burger inside a lettuce wrap.

As for side dishes, these burgers are excellent with fries. I often serve them with jicama fries or zucchini fries.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave at 50% power. You can also freeze these burgers for up to three months.

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More Burger Recipes

  • Keto Cheeseburger Casserole
  • Grilled Hamburgers
  • Bunless Burger
  • Juicy Lamb Burgers

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Recipe Card

Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

4.98 from 71 votes

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Bacon Burger

To make a deliciousbacon burger, add ground bacon to the beef. It makes the patties incredibly juicy and flavorful!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 burgers

Calories: 290kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces bacon (½ package)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsely
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Cut the bacon into pieces and freeze the pieces for 20 minutes to make them easier to process.

    Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (15)

  • Process the bacon in a mini food processor on the "chop" setting until finely ground.

    Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (16)

  • Mix the ground bacon into the beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes.

    Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (17)

  • Form the mixture into four ¾-inch-thick patties. Use your thumb to make a shallow dimple in the middle of each burger. This helps them retain their shape.

    Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (18)

  • Heat a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add the burgers. If the skillet is well-seasoned, there's no need to add oil. Otherwise, add a tablespoon of oil to the pan before adding the burgers.

    Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (19)

  • Cook the burgers until cooked through, for about 4-5 minutes per side over medium heat.

    Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (20)

  • Serve immediately with your favorite hamburger toppings.

    Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (21)

Video

Notes

  • You can par-cook the bacon in the microwave to ensure it becomes fully cooked. In this method, there’s no need to chop and freeze it. Place the four bacon strips on two paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with two more paper towels. Microwave for three minutes, allow to slightly cool, and then chop and mix the par-cooked bacon into the ground beef.
  • You can go for a 50/50 ratio, mixing 8 ounces of ground beef with 8 ounces of ground bacon. But I like to keep things slightly less fatty and salty (though still delicious!) by mixing 4 ounces of bacon into a pound of ground beef.
  • The nutrition info is for the burgers only and does not include toppings.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave at 50% power. You can also freeze these burgers for up to three months.

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 518mg

Made this Recipe?

If you made this recipe, please leave a comment sharing your experience with others. Thank you so much!

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (22) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  1. Albert L J Hall

    I'd go easy on the salt myself, simply because bacon is already salty of course. By the way, I'd have no objection to use what we call "cooking bacon" - basically, the off-cuts from commercial slicers. It makes for very cheap burgers if I use 13% Ground beef.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Thanks for the feedback, Albert! Very interesting.

      Reply

  2. Vicki J.

    Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (23)
    I broke this recipe down to make just one burger for myself. The spices sounded like a lot, so I cut their amounts in half. Grilled it outside today on my charcoal grill. Delicious! So good, I had it plain. Just the burger in a Hawaiian bun. Will definitely be making this again.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Vicki! Thank you for the feedback about the spices.

      Reply

      • Vicki J.

        Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (24)
        Okay, I made a bacon burger tonight with the full amounts of the spices (but no red pepper flakes, as I don't like spicy). It was delicious! I'll be making my burgers this way whenever I have bacon on hand. Thanks for a wonderful burger recipe.

      • Vered DeLeeuw

        Yay! Thanks for the update, Vicki!

Bacon Burger - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to make a burger? ›

Lighten the layers of your hamburger by wrapping its contents in carb-less ingredients rather than between buns. Place the patty of your choice, toppings, and sauce between large pieces of iceberg or romaine lettuce to completely cut out carbs and add a source of vitamins.

Are bacon cheeseburgers healthy? ›

A bacon cheeseburger is high in fat, which can put you at risk of obesity. This kind of burger contains an average of 56 g of fat, which accounts for 72 percent to 127 percent of the recommended daily amount as reported by MayoClinic.com. Removing the cheese and bacon can cut down on fat.

What can I use ground bacon for? ›

You can enjoy ground bacon as fried patties, blend it into a burger or meatloaf or even use it to boost pasta sauce.

How to make bacon for burgers? ›

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange bacon on a slotted broiler tray with a catch tray beneath to catch grease*. Cook for 15-20 minutes depending on thickness and desired crispiness, checking occasionally.

Can homemade burgers be healthy? ›

"Absolutely! Healthy eating is flexible and has room for all foods, burgers included. Homemade burgers are made up of nutritious foods after all - meat, vegetables, and a bun!"

What's the number one healthiest burger? ›

Here's a list of 10 of the healthiest burgers at major restaurant chains in the opinion of dietitians.
  • Five Guys Little Hamburger. ...
  • Red Robin Haystack Tavern Double. ...
  • Smashburger Classic Smash Burger. ...
  • Cracker Barrel's The Barrel Cheeseburger. ...
  • Cheesecake Factory Old Fashioned Burger. ...
  • Chili's Oldtimer with Cheese Burger.
Aug 29, 2023

Why is a bacon cheeseburger unhealthy? ›

"The highest-calorie burger on their menu is the Bacon Cheeseburger," says Morgyn Clair, MS, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and author at Fit Healthy Momma. "It also has tons of unhealthy saturated, total fat, and way more sodium than we should get in one meal."

Which is healthier burger or bacon? ›

Ground beef. Bacon has a high fat content and is heavily processed, plus it is covered in salt and sugar AND smoked. It is literally a culmination of all that is unhealthy- Salt, sugar, fat, and smoke. Ground beef, however, especially 15% fat or leaner, can be VERY healthy, specifically grass-fed.

Is bacon the most unhealthy meat? ›

The American Institute of Cancer Research recommends avoiding bacon and other processed meats completely. While eating any type of red meat has been associated with increased health risks, processed meats are even worse for your health. Processed meats aren't fresh like hamburgers or steaks.

What seasoning makes bacon taste better? ›

Even though it doesn't necessarily come with a mild flavor, bacon is a total blank canvas. With the help of some extra ingredients and spices for your bacon, you can take its original savory, salty, and smoky flavor and enhance it with things like chili powder and coffee, Sriracha, maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey.

What not to do when cooking bacon? ›

Starting with a Hot Pan

I won't keep you waiting: always start with a cold pan. Whether you like your bacon shatteringly crisp or chewy, the goal is strips that are evenly cooked, without burnt bits of meat or rubbery pockets of fat.

What is the healthiest option for bacon? ›

Turkey Bacon

This is a slightly healthier option from your average pork bacon. It contains a lot less fat and harmful ingredients than your average bacon. You can also go one step further and buy the low sodium version for an even better alternative!

Should I cook bacon before putting it in a burger? ›

The bacon added to the burger meat can be either precooked or raw. But if you add raw meat, make sure to fully cook the burger – no rare meat for you – to make sure to thoroughly cook the bacon inside. If you insist on eating a rare burger, cook the bacon first.

What type of bacon is best for burger? ›

  • Best Overall: Benton's Hickory Smoked Country Bacon.
  • Best Bacon & Eggs Bacon: Peter Luger Extra Thick Cut Bacon.
  • Best Bacon for Cooking: The Baconer Uncured Smoked Lardons.
  • Best Bacon for a BLT: Edwards Sliced Hickory-Smoked Peppered Bacon.
  • Best Bacon for a Bacon Burger: Kiolbassa Dry Cured Hickory Bacon.
Feb 16, 2022

Should I cook bacon before adding it to hamburger meat? ›

Go the comfort food route and whip up a bacon cheeseburger-inspired pasta skillet. But if you do, you should cook the patties until they're cooked through. If you prefer your burgers medium-rare, you should probably cook the bacon and crumble it before mixing it into the ground beef.

Can you have a healthy burger? ›

Making your own burger at home, where you can choose lean beef and control what goes into it, can cut down on both saturated fat and calories and result in a healthier burger, Hoch adds. She suggests aiming for 90 to 95 percent lean.

Can burger meat be healthy? ›

Is Ground Beef Healthy? When it comes to the nutritional profile of ground beef, it has both pros and cons. On one hand, it's a great source of protein, iron, and several essential vitamins and minerals. On the other, it can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol, depending on the cut and fat percentage.

Are grilled burgers healthier? ›

A grilled burger is somewhat healthier than cooked on a flattop like most fast food places because some of the fat will melt away from the burger to be burned up in the grill or caught in the grease trap. That is also why many backyard grill masters tend to have dry, woefully overdone burgers.

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