Throwing a massive backyard barbecue just got infinitely more exciting! If your family constantly demands deeply savory, heavy hitting comfort food but you absolutely loathe serving the exact same boring, dry hamburger patties every single weekend, these viral Crack Burgers are the ultimate culinary lifesaver. This breathtakingly brilliant recipe completely transforms standard ground beef by vigorously mixing sharp cheddar cheese, shatteringly crisp bacon bits, and highly zesty dry ranch seasoning directly into the meat before it even hits the hot grill!
There is absolutely nothing quite like biting into a towering, perfectly seared burger that is already bursting with unbelievable flavor from the inside out. By infusing the beef with the ultimate holy trinity of ingredients bacon, cheddar, and ranch you get all the incredible, rich textures of a restaurant quality meal without the massive headache of preparing a million different toppings. The way the cheese perfectly melts within the patty while the bacon roasts to a brilliant crunch will have your entire neighborhood sprinting to your dinner table.
Whether you need an incredibly satisfying, foolproof meal for picky eaters on a frantic summer Tuesday, or a show stopping main course for a massive weekend tailgate gathering, these Crack Burgers deliver absolute perfection, massive flavor, and incredible juiciness in every single bite!
Why This Dinner Recipe Works So Well
The true brilliance of this mouthwatering meal lies in its magnificent flavor building technique and its incredibly smart, moisture locking ingredients. By folding the cheese and ranch seasoning directly into the ground beef, you trap all that highly essential moisture and deep, tangy flavor into the very core of the patty.
The bacon acts as an absolute powerhouse. Utilizing deeply smoked, thick cut bacon that is already cooked and crumbled completely eliminates the terrifying issue of raw bacon inside your burger. As the patties sear over intense heat, the massive dollops of cheddar beautifully melt through the meat, while the exterior forms a breathtakingly crisp, caramelized crust.
Finally, toasting the buns with a heavy slather of butter the absolute second before serving gives these burgers an unforgettable, gourmet bite. If you absolutely love foolproof recipes that yield gorgeous results with practically zero stressful prep work, this highly versatile dinner hack will completely upgrade your weekly grilling rotation!
Essential Ingredients
You only need a handful of basic, highly accessible ingredients to pull these magnificent, savory burgers together.
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Ground Beef: 2 lbs of lean ground beef. (Using 80/20 is highly essential to ensure a deeply rich, unbelievably juicy patty!)
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Bacon: 8 slices of thick cut bacon, cooked until shatteringly crisp, drained, and beautifully crumbled.
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Cheddar Cheese: 1 massive cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese for that epic, savory bite.
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Ranch Seasoning: 1 standard (1 oz) packet of dry ranch seasoning mix to heavily concentrate that addictive, zesty flavor.
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Liquid Smoke (Optional): 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to add a breathtaking backyard BBQ flavor if you are cooking these in a skillet indoors.
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Buns: 6 high quality brioche or potato hamburger buns.
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Butter: 3 tablespoons of completely melted butter to perfectly toast the buns.
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Toppings: Your absolute favorite burger toppings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a heavy drizzle of mayonnaise or ranch dressing!).
Step by Step Instructions
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Prep the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, perfectly cook the bacon until it is shatteringly crisp. Remove from the pan, drain on paper towels, and vigorously crumble into tiny, breathtaking bits.
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Mix the Patties: In a massive mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, crumbled bacon, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, dry ranch seasoning packet, and liquid smoke (if using). Use your hands to gently fold the ingredients together. Highly Essential: Do absolutely not overmix the meat, or the burgers will become highly dense and tough!
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Form the Burgers: Vigorously divide the breathtaking meat mixture perfectly into 6 even portions. Form them into thick, beautiful patties, making a slight thumb indentation directly in the center of each patty so they do not puff up into meatballs on the grill.
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Cook to Perfection: Preheat your grill or a heavy bottomed cast iron skillet to medium high heat. Carefully place the patties on the hot surface and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side until a deeply browned, shatteringly crisp crust forms and the interior is cooked to your exact liking.
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Toast and Serve: Brush the insides of the hamburger buns with the completely melted butter and perfectly toast them face down on the hot grill or skillet for exactly 1 minute. Assemble the ultimate burgers with your favorite toppings and serve absolutely immediately!
Breathtaking Crack Burgers
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef (80/20 highly recommended)
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon cooked shatteringly crisp and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1 oz packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional, for indoor cooking
- 6 brioche or potato hamburger buns
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, completely melted
- 1 batch favorite burger toppings lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until shatteringly crisp. Remove, drain on paper towels, and crumble into tiny pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, dry ranch seasoning packet, and liquid smoke if using. Fold together gently and do not overmix.
- Divide the meat mixture evenly into 6 portions. Form into thick patties and press a slight thumb indentation into the center of each patty.
- Preheat a grill or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place the patties onto the hot surface.
- Cook the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until a deeply browned crust forms and the burgers reach your preferred doneness.
- Brush the insides of the hamburger buns with melted butter and toast face-down on the grill or skillet for 1 minute until golden.
- Assemble the burgers with your favorite toppings and serve immediately while hot and juicy.
Notes
What to Serve With Crack Burgers
Because these savory burgers are incredibly rich, deeply hearty, and packed with massive flavor, they pair absolutely beautifully with a massive spread of fun side dishes or a heavy hitting rotation of weeknight comfort food!
Looking to add a shatteringly crisp side to perfectly balance out the juicy beef? You absolutely must pair your burgers with these brilliant, golden Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges Recipe or a highly addictive party platter of Redneck Egg Rolls Recipe!
Want to keep the fun, ground beef theme rolling later in the week? Treat your family to another jaw dropping sandwich with this breathtakingly savory Patty Melt Grilled Cheese Burger Recipe or bake a massive, protein packed pan of Cottage Cheese Mushroom Swiss Burger Casserole Recipe!
If you completely love brilliant shortcut dinners, you absolutely must bookmark these breathtaking casseroles for your next busy weeknight: the massive Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler Recipe, the bubbling Viral Chicken Cobbler Recipe, or the insanely tangy Cheddar Bay Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe! And for a truly decadent weekend feast, you have to try the ultimate Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie Recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they called Crack Burgers? They earn their viral, highly addictive name because of the deeply savory “crack” flavor profile, which traditionally features an unbelievable combination of sharp cheddar cheese, shatteringly crisp bacon, and zesty ranch seasoning. Once you eat one, it is completely impossible to stop!
Can I make these burger patties ahead of time? You can perfectly prepare the raw beef patties up to 24 hours in advance! Form the burgers, separate them with perfect squares of parchment paper, and keep them tightly covered in the refrigerator. Wait to grill them until the absolute second before your guests arrive!
Can I bake these in the oven instead of grilling? Absolutely! To perfectly bake them, place the formed patties on a wire rack set completely inside a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is breathtakingly bubbly and the beef is cooked completely through.