End of Summer Burger

End the Summer with a bang! This classic Burger has all the bells and whistles to satisfy the cravings. The bacon grease acts as a “glue,” the heat from the grill will cook it out, leaving the juicy flavor of the beef. Fire up the grill!

Recipe Summary

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Total: 1 hr

Servings: 4

Yield: 4 Large Burgers

Ingredients:
12 Slices bacon
2 tablespoons bacon drippings
2 pound ground beef
2 cups dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
2 pinch freshly ground black pepper
1.5 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese
cooking spray 
4 slices Colby-Jack cheese
4 thin tomato slices 
2 Large avocado halved
4 hamburger buns, split

Directions
Step 1
In a large skillet, place the bacon slices and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned (not totally crisp!), for about 8 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels. Retain 2 tablespoon bacon drippings.

Step 2
In a bowl combine the mix of ground beef, bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and retained bacon drippings. Divide meat mixture into 8 equal portions. Make each portion into a large patty, making them as thin as possible. Sprinkle shredded Colby-Jack cheese onto 4 of the patties, leaving an edge about 3/4 inch wide uncovered. Place second patty onto the cheese and press the edges of the patties together to create 4 “cheese-stuffed patties”. For about 10 minutes place stuffed patties into freezer to chill slightly.

Step 3
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.

Step 4
With the cooking spray; mist the grill grate and place burgers onto grill. Turning the heat to low, place lid over grill, and cook until outsides of burgers are lightly charred and cheese has melted, for about 10 minutes per side. Maintain grill temperature at about 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Flames should just lightly touch the bottoms of the burgers to create a slight char, use a spray bottle of water to control flames. After the first flip, place 3 partially-cooked bacon slices onto each burger.
Warning! This beef patty requires constant attention when grilling due to flare-ups. The beef/bacon grease is highly flammable.

Step 5
About 2 minutes before burgers are done, place a slice of Colby-Jack cheese on each patty; top with tomato and avocado slices and plate to rest for 1 or 2 minutes. Serve the prepared patties  on hamburger buns or make them protein style and wrapping them in Butter Lettuce.