Bacon, Mushroom and Swiss Burger
This isn’t just any ordinary cheeseburger – it’s a masterpiece of savory flavors that combines crispy bacon, caramelized mushrooms and onions, and perfectly melted Swiss cheese.
The secret to this burger’s incredible taste lies in its thoughtful combination of ingredients. The balsamic-glazed mushrooms and onions bring a rich umami flavor, while the ranch seasoning adds just the right touch of zesty complexity to the lean beef patty.
Ingredients
For the Burger Base:
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 lb 96/4 extra lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon dehydrated minced onion
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning (Hidden Valley recommended)
For the Toppings:
- 8 slices center cut bacon (Oscar Mayer recommended)
- 1 onion
- 8 oz white mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 4 slices extra thin Swiss cheese (Sargento Extra Thin recommended)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (Stubbs Original recommended)
Additional Items:
- Olive oil spray
- Kosher salt
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with foil – this makes cleanup much easier and prevents sticking.
- Arrange bacon slices on the foil-lined sheet, ensuring they don’t overlap. Bake for 15-18 minutes until crispy. Watch carefully after 12 minutes as bacon can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
- While the bacon cooks, slice mushrooms thinly (about ⅛ inch) and onions into uniform rings. Consistent sizing ensures even cooking.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add olive oil spray and vegetables with a pinch of kosher salt. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms release their moisture and onions become golden brown.
- Add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. These contain intense flavor! Cook for 1-2 minutes until liquid reduces. Transfer mixture to a bowl.
- Combine ground beef with seasonings, mixing just until incorporated – overworking makes tough burgers. Form into 4 equal patties (about 4 oz each). Create a ½-inch deep dimple in center to prevent puffing.
- Using the same pan (now flavored from mushrooms), heat to medium-high. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness (160°F/71°C internal temperature).
- Top each patty with Swiss cheese during the final 1-2 minutes of cooking. Cover pan to help cheese melt completely.
- Assemble burgers: Spread 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce on each bun, add patty with melted cheese, 2 slices of bacon (broken to fit), and a generous portion of mushroom-onion mixture.
