Sizzling BBQ Cheeseburger Recipe for Epic Backyard Cookouts
Crafting the ultimate BBQ cheeseburger requires passion and a dash of culinary creativity.
Juicy beef patties sizzle with smoky promise on hot grates.
Summer cookouts come alive with these mouthwatering delights that spark conversation and appetite.
Melted cheese cascades over seasoned meat, creating layers of irresistible flavor.
Each bite promises a perfect blend of tangy barbecue sauce and rich, savory ingredients.
Charred edges and tender centers make this burger a true crowd-pleaser.
You’ll want to fire up the grill and master this delectable masterpiece right now.
What Makes BBQ Cheeseburgers Awesome
BBQ Cheeseburger Ingredients
Meat Base:Cheese and Bun:Seasoning and Sauce:Optional Toppings:How To Make BBQ Cheeseburgers
Step 1: Fire Up The Grill
Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature.
This ensures a perfect sear and delicious caramelization on your burger patties.
Step 2: Shape Perfect Burger Patties
Create four burger patties from ground beef.
Use your thumb to press a small dimple in the center of each patty.
This prevents the burgers from puffing up during cooking.
Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
Step 3: Cook Burger Patties
Place patties on the hot grill.
Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side.
Aim for these internal temperatures:Step 4: Melt Cheese Beautifully
During the final minute of cooking, add a slice of cheese to each patty.
Allow the cheese to melt completely and become wonderfully gooey.
Step 5: Toast Burger Buns
While burgers are cooking, lightly toast hamburger buns on the grill until they develop a golden brown color and slight crispness.
Step 6: Add Barbecue Sauce
Drizzle barbecue sauce over each cooked burger patty for an extra layer of smoky flavor.
Step 7: Load Up With Toppings
Customize your burger with favorite toppings:Step 8: Serve And Enjoy
Place each patty on a toasted bun, add toppings, and crown with the top bun.
Serve immediately and savor your grilled masterpiece.
BBQ Cheeseburger Cooking Tips
Storing BBQ Cheeseburgers Right
Sides That Go With BBQ Cheeseburgers
BBQ Cheeseburger Style Ideas
FAQs
Select ground beef with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for juiciest burgers. More fat content means more flavor and tenderness, preventing dry patties.
The thumb indentation prevents patties from puffing up during grilling, ensuring even cooking and a flat burger surface that fits perfectly on the bun.
Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F, and for medium, target 140-145°F for safe and perfectly cooked burgers.
Yes, you can shape patties ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator, separated by parchment paper, for up to 24 hours before grilling. Keep them covered to maintain freshness.
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BBQ Cheeseburger Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Sizzling bbq cheeseburgers deliver pure grilling magic straight from American backyard cookouts. Juicy beef patties glazed with smoky barbecue sauce and melted cheese create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for juiciness)
Cheese and Bread:
- 4 slices cheese (cheddar, American, or your favorite cheese)
- 4 hamburger buns
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) barbecue sauce
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Pickles
- Bacon
Instructions
- Prepare the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring an even cooking surface around 400-425°F.
- Gently form ground beef into four uniform patties, creating a slight dimple in the center to prevent swelling during cooking. Generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Position burger patties on the heated surface, cooking approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Monitor internal temperature: 130-135°F for medium-rare or 140-145°F for medium doneness.
- During the final cooking minute, layer a cheese slice atop each patty, allowing it to melt smoothly and create a creamy coating.
- Simultaneously, lightly toast hamburger buns on the grill until achieving a golden-brown crisp exterior.
- Transfer each melted cheese-covered patty onto a toasted bun base, then drizzle barbecue sauce evenly across the meat.
- Customize burgers with preferred toppings like crisp lettuce, juicy tomato slices, tangy onions, crunchy pickles, or crispy bacon strips.
- Crown each burger with the top bun half, creating a complete and appetizing sandwich ready for immediate serving.
Notes
- Choose high-fat ground beef like 80/20 for juicier, more flavorful burgers that won’t dry out during grilling.
- Make patties slightly larger than buns since meat shrinks when cooking, ensuring perfect bun coverage.
- Create a shallow dimple in burger center preventing patties from puffing up and promoting even cooking.
- Use instant-read meat thermometer for precise doneness without cutting into burgers and losing precious juices.
- Let burgers rest 3-5 minutes after grilling to redistribute internal juices, guaranteeing maximum tenderness.
- Opt for freshly ground beef from butcher for superior texture and richer taste compared to pre-packaged options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Olivia Bennett
Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Schoolcraft College
With an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Schoolcraft College and a natural knack for teaching, Olivia Bennett’s all about making home cooking feel possible, even on your busiest day.
Her thing? Recipes that are budget-friendly, season-forward, and full of Southern warmth. Whether it’s a roasted veggie bowl or a five-ingredient skillet bake, Olivia makes sure it’s simple, satisfying, and something you’ll want to make again tomorrow.
When she’s not shooting step-by-step videos or testing spice blends, she’s out foraging, flipping through old cookbooks, or throwing laid-back dinner parties with a BYO-mason-jar theme.