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Grilled Onion Bacon Cheddar Burger is a thick and juicy BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger grilled to perfection and topped with Coca Cola Caramelized Onions. Every single bite of this burger is bursting with flavor.
While this burger may be similar to the McDonald’s Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger, in my opinion, it is way better with smoky grilled beef patties, bacon, and onions grilled with Coca Cola.
While it might be a little more similar to the Wendy’s Big Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger, this burger, in my opinion, is still better due to its secret weapon: Coca Cola Onions.
A seasoned grilled burger topped with cheddar and smoky bacon is then topped with grilled onions that have been cooked with Coca Cola for a taste of a one of the truly Southern Recipes.
Summer is grilling season, and it’s time to make your favorite Grilled Recipes! This is the perfect burger for Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day! If you love Beef Recipes then you’ll love this Grilled Onion Bacon Cheddar Burger!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Copycat. It’s not just a copycat recipe of the Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger from McDonalds. This burger is way better.
- It’s Got Bacon! It’s a bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions! What’s not to love! When you add sweet, smoky bacon to a burger, it just naturally makes it better!
- Seasoned Grilled Patty. The hamburger patty is seasoned with a homemade seasoning mix and grilled to smoky perfection.
- Coca Cola Onions. The onions are cooked with sweet Coca Cola to give them that extra sweet onion flavor. A truly Southern touch.
- Brioche Bun. The hamburger bun is not just any ordinary hamburger bun. It is a brioche bun which provides a softer, richer, extra buttery flavor.
Why This Recipe Works
- Tried and True Recipe. We have been making these recipes for years, tweaking the seasoning to get it just right.
- Easy Grilled Recipe. Grilling these burgers makes them so easy and adds such smoky flavor. Just follow these instructions for burgers that are cooked medium to medium-well.
- Simple Step By Step Instructions. I’ve included step by step instructions to make the instructions as easy to follow as possible.
What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
Equipment
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Ingredients
Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don't have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.
- Ground Beef. I recommend using 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor and texture.
- Seasoning. I use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- BBQ Sauce. I add a little barbecue sauce right into the ground beef patties for the most flavor. You can use your favorite barbecue sauce.
- Onion. You’ll need 4 medium sweet onions to make the caramelized onions.
- Coca Cola. You’ll need regular Coca Cola for this recipe. Diet Coke won’t work because the sweetness of the Coca Cola is necessary for the sweet caramelized onions.
- Cheddar Cheese. I like to use cheddar cheese because it is my favorite. However, any sliced cheese that you like that melts well will work fine.
- Bacon. You’ll need thick-cut smoky bacon that is already cooked.
- Brioche Buns. For the best hamburger buns, I like to use brioche buns. However, you can use regular hamburger buns if you like.
- Lettuce. I like to use green leave lettuce for hamburgers.
- Tomatoes. f you can find them, I like to use red beefsteak tomatoes for the burgers. However, any medium to large size tomatoes for slicing will work fine.
How To Make Grilled Onion Bacon Cheddar Burgers
Make The Coca Cola Caramelized Onions
- Slice The Onions. Cut the onions into ¼ inch rounds discarding the root and skin. Separate the rings and set aside.
- Cook The Onions. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the olive oil, onions, salt, and pepper, stir to coat the onions in the oil and seasonings. Cook, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes until the onions are translucent and starting to soften.
- Caramelize The Onions. Add the Coca-Cola to the skillet and stir to combine. Continue to cook until caramelized, browned, soft, and almost all of the liquid is cooked out, 15-20 minutes. Take off the heat and set aside.
Make And Grill The Hamburger Patties
- Mix The Ground Beef. While you are cooking the onions, make the burgers. Mix the ground beef, bbq sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until combined. I feel using my hands makes it easier to mix.
- Make The Hamburger Patties. Divide the meat into 6 even portions and make them into patties, make an indention in the middle of the burgers so they don't plump in the center while grilling, place on a sheet tray until ready to grill.
- Grill The Burgers. Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burgers, cook for about 5-8 minutes on the first side, flip them over and continue to cook until your desired temperature is reached. Do not overcook, at 165°F they are well done. Take off the heat and add a slice of cheese to each burger to melt.
Assemble The Burgers
- Place a bottom of a brioche bun on your serving plate. Top with lettuce and a slice of tomato. Add a burger patty followed by a piece of bacon broken in half so it will fit. Top with the Coca-Cola onions and add the top bun. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overdo The BBQ Sauce. While I added a little BBQ sauce to the hamburger patties, don’t add too much, otherwise you will end up with sloppy joes instead.
- Be Careful When Turning The Hamburger Patties. Since the barbecue sauce is included in the hamburger patties, it will make them a little softer. Therefore, you will need to be extra careful when turning the hamburger patties so they don’t fall apart.
- Be Patient. Caramelizing onions takes time. It takes longer than cooking the burgers. Don’t get in a hurry, getting that caramelized texture and flavor will be worth it.
Variations
- Change The Burger Seasoning – Add some chili powder, or cayenne if you like a little heat in your burgers.
- Change Up The Cheese – Tired of cheddar? Try using your favorite cheese. Some ideas includeMonterey Jack, Provolone, Swiss, Pepper Jack, or Mozzarella cheese.
- Add An Egg. Add a fried egg on top of your burger.
- Change Up The Burger Toppings. Add sliced avocado, sliced jalapeños, pico de Gallo, sliced pickles. The list is endless.
- Saucy Onions. To change things up, add some additional barbeque sauce to the onions for extra flavor.
What To Serve With Grilled Onion BBQ Cheeseburgers
- Baked Beans – I like these Instant Pot Baked Beans with my burgers.
- Sweet Potato Fries – Easy and delicious and a perfect side for any burger.
- French Fries – These homemade baked French fries go perfectly with the burger.
- Cole Slaw – This Cajun Honey Jalapeño Slaw is one of our favorite Cole slaws.
- French Onion Dip – This homemade dip is perfect served with potato chips & this burger.
FAQs
How To Store Leftover Hamburgers
I recommend storing the individual ingredients separately for the burgers. Store the grilled burgers in a separate airtight bag or container, and store the cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and buns all separately.
Can I Freeze The Burgers?
You can freeze the cooked hamburger patties. Place in airtight freezer bags or airtight freezer-safe containers and store up to 3 months.
More Recipes
- Asian BBQ Burger
- Smash Burger Tacos
- Jalapeno Popper Cheeseburger Mini Pizzas
- Dill Pickle Cheeseburger Dip
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Recipe
Ingredients
For the Coca-Cola Caramelized Onions:
- 4 medium sweet onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
For the Hamburger Patties:
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1/4 cup bbq sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburgers:
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 6 brioche buns
- 6 tomato slices
- green leaf lettuce
- 6 slices thick-cut cooked bacon
Instructions
Make The Coca Cola Caramelized Onions
- Slice the onions into ¼ inch rounds discarding the roots and outer skin. Separate the rings and set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the olive oil, onions, salt, and pepper, stir to coat the onions in the oil and seasonings. Cook, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes until the onions are translucent and starting to soften.
- Pour the Coca-Cola into the skillet and stir to combine. Continue to cook the onions until they are caramelized, browned, soft, and almost all of the liquid is cooked out, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Make The Hamburger Patties
- While you are cooking the onions, make the burgers. Mix the ground beef, bbq sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until combined. I feel using my hands makes it easier to mix.
- Divide the meat into 6 even portions and make them into patties, make an indention in the middle of the burgers so they don't plump in the center while grilling, place on a sheet tray until ready to grill.
- Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burgers, cook for about 5-8 minutes on the first side, flip them over and continue to cook until your desired temperature is reached. Do not overcook, at 165°F they are well done. Take off the heat and add a slice of cheese to each burger to melt.
Assemble The BBQ Bacon Cheeseburgers
- Place a bottom of a brioche bun on your serving plate. Top with lettuce and a slice of tomato. Add a burger patty followed by a piece of bacon broken in half so it will fit. Top with the Coca-Cola onions and add the top bun. Serve immediately.
Pattie says
This recipe is phenomenal! These are the best onions that I have ever had. Never again will I caramelize onions for sandwiches and not employ the use of Coca-Cola. I plan to make pattie melts over the weekend, and I’m going to use this recipe for the onions. This recipe is a must try.