KY Beef Council Maple-Bacon Burgers

Maple-Bacon Beef Burger

INGREDIENTS

1.       1 pound ground beef

2.       1/4 cup beer

3.       2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

4.       4 whole wheat hamburger buns, split

5.       4 slices reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

6.       4 extra-thick slices Maplewood smoked bacon, cut in half, cooked crisp

INSTRUCTIONS

1.       Combine ground beef, beer and Worcestershire sauce in medium bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties.

2.       Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning occasionally. About 2 minutes before burgers are done, place buns, cut-side down, on grid. Grill until lightly toasted. During last minute of grilling, top each burger with cheese.

3.       Place burgers on bottom of buns; top with bacon slices. Close sandwiches.

·         Test Kitchen Tips

·         Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.