Bacon Brie Brioche Burger

This isn’t just any burger – it’s a luxurious combination of creamy brie, crispy bacon, and sweet fig preserves, all nestled in a pillowy brioche bun.

The magic happens when the melty brie cheese blankets the perfectly seared beef patty, while the fig preserves add an unexpected sweet note that perfectly balances the savory bacon. This is what burger dreams are made of!

Ingredients

For the Patties:

• 1 1/2 – 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

For the Toppings:

• 8 ounces brie cheese, sliced
• 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy
• 4 tablespoons fig preserves
• Fresh lettuce leaves of choice
• 4 brioche buns

Steps

1. Divide the 1 1/2 – 2 pounds of ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 6-8 ounces each). Gently form into patties about 1 inch thick, being careful not to overwork the meat. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides.
2. Create a thumbprint depression in the center of each patty (about 1/4 inch deep). This prevents the burgers from puffing up during cooking.
3. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it’s very hot (about 400°F/204°C). You should see wisps of smoke rising from the surface.
4. Place patties in the hot skillet, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook for 3-4 minutes until a dark brown crust forms on the bottom. Flip and cook for:

• 3-4 minutes for medium-rare (135°F/57°C)
• 4-5 minutes for medium (140°F/60°C)
• 5-6 minutes for medium-well (150°F/66°C)

1. Turn off heat and immediately place 2 ounces of sliced brie on each patty. Cover the skillet with a lid and let rest for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
2. While the cheese melts, toast the brioche buns until golden brown. To assemble, place lettuce on the bottom bun, add the cheese-topped patty, top with 1 slice of crispy bacon, and spread 1 tablespoon of fig preserves on the top bun.

Smart Swaps

• Replace brioche with whole grain buns to add fiber
• Substitute fig preserves with caramelized onions for fewer calories
• Use turkey bacon to reduce fat content

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use low-carb cloud bread (saves 20g carbs per serving)
• Replace fig preserves with sugar-free fig jam (reduces 10g carbs per serving)
• Serve open-faced to halve the bread portion
• Pair with a side salad instead of fries to maintain stable blood sugar

Pro Tips

• Let meat come to room temperature before cooking for even doneness
• Never press down on burgers while cooking – it releases precious juices
• Rest burgers for 2-3 minutes before serving to retain juices