Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Recipe

This Bacon Jam Cheeseburger recipe layers juicy griddled beef burgers with crispy bacon, melted American and pepper jack cheese, fresh lettuce and tomato, Dijon mustard, and a sweet-savory homemade bacon onion jam. Featured on Griddle Nation, CJ Fraizer takes a classic cheeseburger and gives it an irresistible upgrade with honey, balsamic vinegar, caramelized onion, smoky seasoning, and golden toasted pretzel buns.

The Inspiration

On Griddle Nation, CJ Fraizer takes inspiration from popular internet food trends and adapts them for the flat-top griddle. The Bacon Jam Cheeseburger is a perfect example of that approach, taking the familiar combination of beef, bacon, and cheese and making it more memorable with a homemade bacon onion jam.

Bacon jam has become a popular burger topping because it transforms bacon from a simple crispy garnish into a rich condiment. Rendering diced bacon first creates a flavorful base, while shaved onion cooks in the bacon fat until caramelized. Honey adds sweetness, balsamic vinegar brings tanginess, and paprika and Blackstone Spicy Brown Sugar Seasoning deepen the smoky, savory character.

Pretzel buns complete the burger with their chewy texture and slightly salty flavor. Toasting them directly on the griddle adds another layer of texture and helps them stand up to the generous filling.

Ingredients

• 12 Slices of Bacon
• 1 Yellow Onion, Shaved
• 3Tbsp Honey
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 1tsp Paprika
• 2Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• Blackstone Spicy Brown Sugar Seasoning
• Blackstone Whisky Burger Seasoning
• 4 Schweid and Sons Butcher’s Blend Burgers
• 4 Pretzel Buns, Cut in Half
• 4 Slices American Cheese
• 4 Slices Pepperjack Cheese
• 4Tbsp Dijon Mustard
• 8 Lettuce Leaves
• 1 Tomato, Sliced

Method

• Preheat griddle to high heat. Allow 10-15 minutes, or until the surface darkens and light smoke appears.
• To a small cast iron pot on griddle add 8 slices of bacon diced up. Render bacon fat for 5-6 minutes.
• Add the shaved onion to pot and let cook until onions caramelize. Then add honey, paprika, balsamic, and a bit of Spicy Brown Sugar Seasoning.
• Place the other 4 strips of bacon on griddle until crispy.
• Next place the burgers on the griddle to cook. 2-3 minutes per side. Then add 1 slice of each cheese to each burger and dome to melt.
• Toast the buns alongside the burgers until golden brown.
• To build the burger, Place a TB of Dijon on bottom bun, then lettuce, tomato slice, and salt. Then the bacon slice, burger, topped with a heaping spoonful of the bacon onion jam, and top bun.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Bacon Jam Cheeseburger for game day, casual dinners, backyard cookouts, or weekend gatherings when you want an indulgent burger with bold flavor. Crispy French fries, seasoned potato wedges, kettle chips, or onion rings are natural pairings, while a fresh cabbage slaw or simple green salad can provide a lighter contrast to the bacon, melted cheese, and sweet onion jam.

For entertaining, serve extra bacon jam, Dijon mustard, lettuce, tomato, and pickles on the side so guests can customize their burgers. The jam can also be spooned onto fries or served as an additional dipping condiment. Serve the burgers shortly after assembling so the pretzel buns remain toasted and the two cheeses stay melted.

Final Thoughts

This Bacon Jam Cheeseburger recipe takes a familiar comfort-food favorite and gives it a bold Griddle Nation upgrade. CJ Fraizer combines juicy griddled beef with crispy bacon, American and pepper jack cheese, toasted pretzel buns, fresh vegetables, Dijon mustard, and a rich bacon onion jam.

For more information, check out the Griddle Nation website. Griddle Nation