Maple Bacon Burger

Ingredients

Ground beef

1 pound (80/20 blend recommended)

Salt

to taste

Pepper

to taste

Bacon

8 slices

Maple syrup

1/4 cup

Cheddar cheese

4 slices

Hamburger buns

4, preferably toasted

Lettuce

1 cup, shredded

Tomato

1 large, sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill or a skillet over medium heat.
2. In a bowl, form the ground beef into 4 equal patties. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the burgers for about 5 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of doneness (internal temperature should be 160°F for medium).
4. While the burgers are cooking, in another skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels.
5. Return the bacon to the skillet and brush with maple syrup. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the bacon to become glazed and sticky.
6. During the last minute of cooking the burgers, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty and cover with a lid to melt the cheese.
7. Assemble the burgers: Place each patty on a toasted bun, top with maple-glazed bacon, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomato.