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A serving tray with Espresso Bacon Jam Burgers with toppings, fries and a pot of smoked Gouda Sauce.

Bacon Jam Burgers with Smoked Gouda Sauce

These aren’t your average backyard burgers. Toasted sourdough buns cradle rich smoked Gouda sauce, grilled dry-aged beef patties, lettuce, tomato and a grilled green apple slice. The sweet and smoky espresso bacon jam is topped over the apple slice, then we layer on shaved fennel, a drizzle of cider-Dijon glaze, and fresh celery leaves for brightness. This burger is bold, balanced, and built to impress!
Whether you're grilling for Father’s Day, friends, or just spoiling yourself, this is the burger that earns you serious bragging rights!
If you’re making these for a crowd, set up a burger board or station with the warm components kept warm (if possible) and let guests build their own.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine Gastropub-Style Cooking
Servings 6 burgers

Ingredients
  

For the Burgers

  • 6 sourdough buns halved (base lightly hollowed)
  • 2 lbs dry-aged organic ground beef 80/20
  • Kosher salt & cracked black pepper
  • Leaf lettuce
  • 6 heirloom tomato slices
  • 1 fennel bulb shaved
  • ½ lemon Juice only + pinch of salt for fennel
  • 1 green apple sliced into ¼" rounds
  • Olive oil for grilling apples
  • Fresh celery leaves for garnish

Espresso-Infused Bacon Jam

  • 1 lb thick-cut bacon chopped
  • 2 large shallots finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup freshly brewed espresso
  • 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider not vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted walnuts or pecans finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper

Smoked Gouda Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup whole milk warmed or at least room temperature
  • ¼ cup 35% cream warmed or at least room temperature
  • 1½ cups smoked Gouda grated
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and white pepper to taste

Cider-Dijon Glaze

  • ½ cup apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
  • Pinch salt

Instructions
 

Make the Bacon Jam

  • This sweet-salty jam brings depth thanks to espresso and balsamic. A little goes a long way.
  • In a large 12.5” sauté pan, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Leave 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the pan. Add shallots and garlic, sauté 4–5 minutes until softened and golden.
  • Stir in sugar and let it melt and begin to caramelize.
  • Stir in the espresso, balsamic and apple cider. Simmer 5–6 minutes until glossy and reduced.
  • Return bacon to pan. Simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring often, until thick and jammy.
  • Stir in toasted nuts and cracked black pepper. Cool, then refrigerate (up to 5 days).

Prep the Fennel

  • Toss shaved fennel with lemon juice and salt.

Make the Smoked Gouda Sauce

  • This sauce lives at the intersection of comfort food and fancy. Use freshly grated cheese for best results; pre-shredded can lead to clumps.
  • Melt butter in a 2-qt saucier or small sauce pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is pale golden and has a nutty aroma.
  • Gradually whisk in warmed milk and cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  • Stir in Dijon mustard and season with salt and white pepper.
  • Lower the heat, and gradually stir in the Gouda. Continue stirring until smooth and creamy.
  • Keep warm, or reheat gently before serving.

Make the Cider-Dijon Glaze

  • Adds sweet tang and ties everything together.
  • In a 0.75-qt butter warmer or small sauce pot, reduce cider by half over medium-high heat (should yield about ¼ cup).
  • Whisk in Dijon, maple syrup, white pepper, and salt. Simmer 2–3 minutes more until slightly thickened.

Grill the Patties & Apple Slices

  • Form beef into 6 equal patties (about ⅓ lb each). Press a shallow dimple into each center. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Grill over high heat, 3–4 minutes per side (or until your preferred doneness).
  • Let rest 5 minutes before assembly.
  • Brush apple slices lightly with oil and grill 1–2 minutes per side until just softened with grill marks.

Toast and Fill the Buns

  • Lightly toast sourdough buns (grill or broiler).
  • In the lightly hollowed-out base of a bottom bun, spoon in about 2 tablespoons warm Gouda sauce.

Assemble the Burgers

  • 1. Add a grilled burger patty to the Gouda-filled bun base.
    2. Top with a leaf of lettuce, a tomato slice and a green apple slice.
    3. Spoon 1–2 tablespoons of bacon jam over the apple slice.
    3. Top with a small mound of shaved fennel.
    4. Drizzle with cider-Dijon glaze.
    5. Garnish with celery leaves.
    6. Crown with the toasted top bun and serve!

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Keyword bacon jam burger, bacon jam cheese burger, bacon jam recipe for burgers, boujee burger, burger with bacon jam
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