May: Month of the Burger... Post 4 - Avocado Bacon Burger

Week 4 – Avocado Bacon Burger

-  1 – 2 packages of ¼ lb. 50/50 sausage/burger patties
-  Good, quality buns. Leave those discount buns on the shelf!
-  Avocado, sliced
-  Salt & pepper
-  Colby Jack cheese, sliced
-  Cooked bacon strips
-  Ripe tomato, sliced
-  Onion, sliced
-  Whole leaf lettuce
-  Mayonnaise

Cook the bacon first! We usually cook a whole package of bacon in the oven instead. Preheat the oven to 400°. Place the bacon on a baking sheet. Some people line the baking sheet with foil, we typically use parchment paper. Cook for 20 minutes, but check at 10 and 15 minutes. It doesn't take long for bacon to go from not-quite-done to dangit-I-burned-the-bacon. It's okay if the bacon is done 5-10 minutes before the burgers.

Put thaw, cold patties on the grill. Patties are easier to work with when they’re cold, but you don’t want them to be frozen in the center.
On a cookie sheet, generously season patties with salt, pepper, and (optional) seasoned salt. Sprinkle seasoning on top, flip burgers, season burgers on bottom. Lightly oil (grape seed, avocado, or olive oil).

Bring grill to heat and place patties on grill. The hottest part of the grill is typically in the center and towards the back. Placing the burgers above heat will help sear the meat to prevent it from falling apart.

You want to move / flip the burgers as little as possible. Also, don’t give into the temptation to press the burgers with a burger flipper. Leave those delicious juices in the burger and not the bottom of your grill! The fat that’s heating up inside the burger will help it to cook more evenly!

Once the burgers are on the grill, close the lid and let the heat do its work.

Slice avocado, tomato, and onion and prep lettuce / leafy greens.

Next, toast the buns. Lightly drizzle the cookie sheet with oil and sprinkle it with salt & pepper. Place the soft part of the bun in the sheet just long enough for it to get a light coating of oil. The oil will help the bun heat up and keep it from sticking to the grill.

Flip burgers at 3 – 4 minutes or when the bottom has a good sear and prominent grill marks. Shortly after the burgers are flipped, place buns soft side down on the grill. Remove buns when the soft side is crispy.

After the burgers have been flipped, spread butter on the tops of the burgers. Coat generously so that the patty can absorb the butter. Let burgers continue to cook (lid down!) for 3 – 4 minutes or until both sides have a good sear and prominent grill marks. Because of the pork content of the patty, you want to make sure the burger is thoroughly cooked (160°F).

Flip burgers one more time, coat with butter and give burgers one final seasoning with salt and pepper. Then top with cheese for final 30-45 seconds. Remove burgers as cheese starts to melt. If the onions are grilled, remove them, too.

Spread mayo on top and bottom buns. Place burgers on bottom bun and top with avocado, bacon and other toppings.