Ultimate Bacon and Blue Cheese Burger

Ingredients

• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Ketchup (1/4 cup)
• Mayonnaise (1/4 cup)
• Red onion (1, thinly sliced)
• Tomato (1 large, sliced)
• Lettuce (4 leaves, washed and dried)
• Hamburger buns (4, split)
• Blue cheese (1/2 cup, crumbled)
• Bacon (8 slices, cooked until crispy)
• Ground beef (1 pound (preferably 80% lean))

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat.
2. In a large bowl, season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Mix gently to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.
3. Divide the seasoned ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty, making a slight indentation in the center to prevent puffing up during cooking.
4. Grill the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness (medium-rare is approximately 135°F).
5. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with 2 slices of crispy bacon and generously sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top, allowing it to melt slightly.
6. Remove the patties from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes to retain their juices.
7. While the patties rest, toast the hamburger buns on the grill for about 1 minute or until they are lightly golden.
8. Spread mayonnaise and ketchup on the bottom halves of the toasted buns.
9. Layer a lettuce leaf on each bun, followed by a slice of tomato and a few rings of red onion.
10. Finally, place a bacon and blue cheese-topped patty on each bun.
11. Cover with the top halves of the buns and serve immediately, with extra condiments on the side.