Bison Bacon Burger
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
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Prep Time:30 Minutes
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Cook Time:PT50M20 Minutes
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Yield:4 Servings
Ingredients
- Candied bacon:
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
- Burger Patties:
- 1 ½ pounds ground bison
- ¼ cup finely minced red onion or shallot
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- Build the Burger:
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese (or Monterey jack)
- 4 brioche burger buns
- Chipotle aioli (homemade or store bought)
- 2 cups fresh arugula
- Avocado, thinly sliced
- Pickled red onions, optional
- Candied bacon:
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 25.56g pure maple syrup
- 12.78g light brown sugar
- Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
- Burger Patties:
- 680.39g ground bison
- 59.15ml finely minced red onion or shallot
- 12.78g finely chopped cilantro
- 4.26g ground cumin
- 2.13g smoked paprika
- 1.07g garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 12.78g olive oil (for cooking)
- Build the Burger:
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese (or Monterey jack)
- 4 brioche burger buns
- Chipotle aioli (homemade or store bought)
- 473.18ml fresh arugula
- Avocado, thinly sliced
- Pickled red onions, optional
Poulsbo market's burger throwdown submission takes your palette on an adventure with robust bison, sweet bacon, spicy arugula, smoky chipotle, and sour pickled onions.
Preparation
STEP 1
To make candied bacon, preheat oven to 375°F.
STEP 2
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top. Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack.
STEP 3
In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar and cayenne pepper (if using). Brush or drizzle the mixture evenly over the bacon slices. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized. Keep a close eye on it, as sugar can burn quickly.
STEP 4
Transfer cooked bacon to a plate lined with parchment paper to cool. It will crisp up further as it cools. Break each slice in half for easier burger assembly.
STEP 5
To prepare the bison patties, in a large bowl gently combine the ground bison, minced red onion, cilantro, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper being sure not to over mix.
STEP 6
Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and gently form into patties about 3/4-inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty to prevent it from bulging while cooking.
STEP 7
Pre-heat a grill or cast-iron skillet to medium-high heat and lightly coat with olive oil. Cook the bison patties for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare (recommended for bison), or 4-5 minutes per side for medium. (Bison is very lean and cooks faster than beef, so be careful not to overcook).
STEP 8
During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of Pepper Jack cheese on each patty to melt and lightly toast the burger buns.
STEP 9
To assemble the burgers, spread a generous amount of chipotle aioli on both the top and bottom half of the toasted bun. Layer a handful of arugula on the bottom half and place the cheesy bison patty on top. Add two halves of candied bacon, slices of avocado and a spoonful of pickled red onions if using. Cap it off with the top bun and serve.