Description
Bold Bacon Smashburgers with Calabrian Chili Aioli are pure backyard grilling magic packed between crispy buns. Sizzling bacon and juicy beef create a flavor combination that makes your taste buds dance with pure excitement.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 blend
- 8 strips bacon
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
Produce:
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
- Red onion slices
Condiments and Seasonings:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Calabrian chilies in oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Craft the Calabrian Chili Aioli by whisking ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chopped Calabrian chilies, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate while preparing burgers.
- Divide 1 pound ground beef into 4 loose, golf ball-sized portions. Keep meat barely held together without compressing.
- Preheat cast-iron skillet or griddle to searing hot (around 450°F). Ensure surface is completely dry and well-heated.
- Drop each beef ball onto scorching skillet. Press firmly with spatula or burger press, creating a thin, crispy patty no thicker than ½ inch.
- Cook patties for 2-3 minutes until dark golden crust develops. Do not move burger during initial sear.
- Quickly flip patties. Immediately place 1 cheddar cheese slice on each. Cook additional 1-2 minutes until cheese melts.
- Layer toasted bun bottom with generous Calabrian Chili Aioli spread. Add lettuce, tomato, and red onion slices.
- Transfer hot patty onto prepared bun. Sprinkle 2 crumbled bacon strips over each burger.
- Cap with top bun and serve immediately while burger remains piping hot.
Notes
- Smash the beef balls with firm, even pressure to create a thin, crispy crust that locks in flavor and gives the burger its signature texture.
- Cook bacon ahead of time and let it cool, so crumbling becomes easier and you get perfectly crisp bacon bits for topping.
- The cast-iron skillet delivers the best sear, but a flat griddle works well if that’s what your kitchen setup allows.
- For a lower-carb version, swap buns for lettuce wraps and skip the cheese to make this meal keto-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 780 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 930 mg
- Fat: 60 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 34 g
- Trans Fat: 1.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg