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Crack Burgers

Crack burgers are juicy, ranch-seasoned beef patties loaded with crumbled bacon and melted cheddar. Grill-toasting and a last-minute cheddar melt create a gooey, bacon-studded cross-section.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 640
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

ground beef (80/20)
  • 1.5 lb ground beef (80/20)
ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 ranch seasoning mix
cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 0.5 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 6 bacon, cooked and crumbled
hamburger buns
  • 4 hamburger buns
cheddar cheese slices
  • 4 cheddar cheese slices
ranch dressing for topping
  • 2 tbsp ranch dressing for topping
lettuce
  • 4 lettuce
tomato
  • 1 tomato
onion
  • 1 onion

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Make the patties
  1. Mix ground beef with ranch seasoning mix, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon until just combined; stop as soon as the mixture looks evenly speckled.
  2. Form the mixture into 4 equal patties and make a slight indentation in the center of each so they cook more evenly.
Grill and melt the cheese
  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat and cook the patties for 5-6 minutes per side for medium doneness.
  2. Top each patty with a slice of cheddar in the last minute of grilling and close the lid to melt the cheese.
  3. Toast the hamburger buns on the grill for 1 minute until lightly charred.
Assemble
  1. Assemble burgers by adding ranch dressing for topping, lettuce, tomato, and onion to the buns, then place the melted-cheese patties on top.

Notes

Pro tip: indenting the center helps prevent doming and keeps the bacon-cheddar topping more even. Refrigerate leftover burgers in a covered container for up to 3 days; reheat gently so the cheese doesn’t toughen. Freeze patties (uncooked) up to 2 months, or cooked patties up to 1 month—thaw in the fridge before reheating. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cheddar slices and reduced-sodium ranch seasoning mix.