Chef John's Bacon-Stuffed Meatloaf-Style Grilled Burgers

Name: Chef John's Bacon-Stuffed Meatloaf-Style Grilled Burgers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tsp Black Pepper; 0.25 cup Bread Crumbs; 1 tsp Brown Sugar; 1 dash Cayenne Pepper; 1 dash Dried Thyme; 1 whole Eggs; 0.67 cup Fully Cooked Bacon; 0.25 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 tbsp Ketchup; 1 lb Lean Ground Beef; 0.5 tsp Onion Powder; 1 tsp Salt; 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 American High-Protein 💪Low-Carb Comfort-Food Anabolic Diet

Chef John's Bacon-Stuffed Meatloaf-Style Grilled Burgers deliver juicy ground chuck enriched with smoky bits of bacon and classic meatloaf seasonings. Each bite balances peppery warmth, a hint of sweetness, and gentle herbs for a burger that tastes like your favorite loaf, seared on the grill. Ideal for casual cookouts or a hearty weeknight dinner when you want comfort with charred edges.

Prep10 mins
Cook10 mins
Serves4
DifficultyEasy

1

Whisk the egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl. Add the breadcrumbs and the chopped cooked bacon. Crumble in the ground beef. Mix with your fingers until the bacon and breadcrumbs are evenly distributed.
2

With wet hands, shape the mixture into 4 burgers. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 3 hours.
3

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
4

Place the burgers on the grate and cook, turning occasionally, until firm and at your desired doneness. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read between 145 and 150 degrees F (63 degrees C). Let the burgers rest for a few minutes before serving.