• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Salt & Lavender logo
  • Recipes
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Γ—

    Home Β» Beef

    BBQ Bourbon Burger

    Published: Jul 29, 2016 / Updated: Sep 5, 2018 / 8 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Why drink bourbon when you can use it to make this amazing BBQ bourbon burger?

    BBQ bourbon burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion with a bottle of bourbon in the background

    This has to be my favorite burger that I've made for the blog so far. The bourbon adds amazing flavor! The BBQ mayo is smoky and delicious. And crispy bacon... oh yeah! It's just the complete burger package.

    I was so hungry (hANGRY) that I devoured my burger when it was right off the BBQ, and I ended up burning the inside of my mouth and bottom lip. I am seriously suffering here typing this and reflecting on what an idiot I am.

    What's next for me, you ask? A Darwin Award? I hope not.

    close-up of juicy barbecue bourbon burger with tomato, lettuce, and onion on a bun

    You may notice there's no cheese on this one. You'll probably think I'm nuts, but I just don't like cheese on my burgers. I sometimes like to photograph melty cheese, though... so some of the burgers on the blog have it. Now you know why.

    Because I know you were wondering and totally care. Cheese, of course, can be added to this burger if it's your thing.

    I used regular ground beef for this burger, not lean ground beef because the fattier meat makes for a more juicy burger. One of the downsides to using ground beef is that you really need to cook it properly (i.e. well done). If you prefer a less well-done burger, I suggest using ground chuck instead. I didn't make it to the butcher, so ground beef it was.

    Rest assured that this burger still tasted great.

    Questions? Let me know!

    Why drink bourbon when you can use it to make this amazing BBQ bourbon burger?

    BBQ Bourbon Burger

    Why drink bourbon when you can make these delicious burgers instead?!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Sandwich
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 burgers
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    Sauce:

    • 6 tablespoons mayo
    • 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
    • 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Bourbon glaze:

    • 6 tablespoons bourbon
    • 1/4 cup brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

    Hamburgers:

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
    • 1 egg
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Other/toppings:

    • 4-6 strips bacon (optional)
    • 4 burger buns
    • Butter (if toasting insides of buns)
    • Lettuce to taste
    • Tomato to taste
    • Red onion to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare the burger sauce by combining the ingredients (I just used a spoon and a small bowl). Refrigerate until needed.
    • Prepare the glaze by combining the ingredients (I just used a spoon and a small bowl). Ensure the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
    • Fry the bacon until it's crispy (about 10-15 minutes).
    • Pre-heat grill to high heat.
    • Prepare the burgers. Using your hands, combine the burger ingredients, taking care not to over-handle them. I am quite generous with the salt and pepper. Form into four patties and make a divot in the middle of the burgers so they cook evenly.
    • Turn the grill down to medium-high heat. Place the burgers on the grill and then baste with the bourbon glaze. Cook for about six minutes (depends on thickness of burgers and the grill/BBQ you're using), then flip and add glaze on the other side and cook for another six minutes or until they're cooked through.
    • My preferred method for toasting the insides of hamburger buns is to pre-heat a skillet on medium-high heat (on the stove) and then add the cut and buttered bun halves to the pan until they're toasted (takes a few minutes). You could also toast them on your grill.
    • Assemble burgers by adding the sauce, burger patties, and preferred toppings. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • If you're using standard ground beef, I strongly suggest cooking the burgers until they're well-done and reach 165F inside (for safety reasons). If you're using something like ground chuck, they do not have to be cooked as well.
    • Use a fattier ground beef (e.g. chuck) or one that's NOT lean. It makes for better burgers.
    • I used a gas BBQ to make this recipe. Keep in mind that these directions are only a guideline as every BBQ or grill is different, so adjust cooking time accordingly.
    Keyword bourbon burger recipe
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Sriracha Honey Chicken Tenders
    Peach and Passion Fruit Smoothie Bowl »

    Loved this recipe? Share it:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Dee says

      July 29, 2016 at 1:41 PM

      These look FABULOUS. I'll be trying them soon. P.S. What kind of buns did you use? Not the standard Walmart hb buns for sure! πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 29, 2016 at 6:40 PM

        Thank you! They're Kaiser buns that I found in the individual bun bins at Safeway πŸ™‚ nothing too fancy.

        Reply
    2. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

      July 29, 2016 at 7:00 AM

      I vote to drink bourbon AND have it on the burger πŸ˜‰ Seriously, though, that glaze sounds delicious! I know hubby would love this too. I do love cheese on my burger, but this one definitely has a lot of flavour on the go so I wouldn't even miss it. Pinned, of course! Have a great weekend, Natasha πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 29, 2016 at 10:57 AM

        Best of both worlds ????

        Reply
    3. Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com says

      July 29, 2016 at 6:08 AM

      all the B's are well represented here....bacon, bourbon and this seriously outrageous burger! no cheese needed on this bad boy! YUM!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 29, 2016 at 10:58 AM

        Agreed! Thanks Kathy πŸ™‚

        Reply
    4. Vivian | stayaliveandcooking says

      July 29, 2016 at 1:40 AM

      Mmmmm I love burgers! This looks amazing, I didn't even notice the lack of cheese πŸ˜‰ I made smokey barbecue meatballs a few weeks ago so I'm sure I'll love this too! Cooking with bourbon sounds like a great idea for the weekend...

      (Oh, and about burning your mouth: that's so me. Yay for impatience)

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 29, 2016 at 5:59 AM

        Thank you! Glad I'm not the only one πŸ˜‰

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!Β  Read more...

    Get new recipes in your inbox weekly!

    BROWSE RECIPES:

    Footer

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Site Policies
    • For Bloggers
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Β· Copyright © 2022 Salt & Lavender Inc Β·