Epic Stacked Beef Burger

Ingredients

Here are the following ingredients:

Spicy Candied Bacon

• 1½ cups (375 mL) packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) chili powder
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 tsp (5 mL) cayenne pepper
• 32 slices thick-cut bacon, about 2 lb (1 kg)

Special Sauce

• 1 cup (250 mL) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60 mL) ketchup
• 1 oz (30 g) minced pickle, about 3 tbsp (45 mL)
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) grainy Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) pickle juice
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp (5 mL) granulated sugar
• ½ tsp (2 mL) garlic powder
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) onion powder
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) kosher salt

Service

• 32 Ground Beef Patties, about 3 oz (90 g) each
• 32 slices American or Cheddar cheese, about 1 lb (500 g)
• 16 sesame buns, split and lightly toasted
• 16 leafy green lettuce leaves
• 16 slices tomato
• 16 thinly sliced red onion rings
• 32 long pickle slices
• 8 oz (250 g) crispy fried onions, about 3 cups (750 mL)

Preparation

1. Spicy Candied Bacon: Mix brown sugar with chili powder, black pepper and cayenne.
2. Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on large, parchment paper-lined sheet pans. Sprinkle brown sugar spice mix over bacon to coat evenly.
3. Cook, in conventional oven at 350˚F (180°C), turning once, for 20 to 25 minutes or until bacon is lightly crisp and sugar is caramelized and bubbling. 
4. Transfer to clean, parchment paper-lined sheet pans to cool completely. Cover and refrigerate. 
5. Special Sauce: Whisk mayonnaise with ketchup, minced pickle, Dijon mustard, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder and salt until combined. Cover and refrigerate.

Service

1. Grill or sear 2 burgers on flat top, turning as needed, until a digital instant-read thermometer inserted sideways into centre of patty reads at least 160°F (71°C). Top each patty with 1 slice cheese; cook until cheese softens (not melted).
2. Spread 1 tbsp (15 mL) Special Sauce on each side of bun. Arrange lettuce leaf, tomato and onion on bottom bun.
3. Top with cooked burgers, 2 slices Spicy Candied Bacon and 2 pickle slices. Garnish with 3 tbsp (45 mL) crispy onion straws. Cap with top bun.

Beef Cuts