Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Bacon Jam and Tomato Burgers

[FTC Standard Disclaimer] We are proud to be sponsored by Certified Angus Beef.  We have no affiliation with Food City or Schweid and Sons.

This is a crazy good burger. It's one of my favorites that we've ever made.  It has a Certified Angus Beef prime burger with quite possibly the best burger condiment ever - bacon jam.

Bacon Jam and Tomato Burger featuring Certified Angus Beef Schweid and Sons

This burger started on the meat aisle at our Food City when Alexis pointed out these gourmet 1/3rd pound burgers that they had just gotten in.  


Bacon Jam and Tomato Burger featuring Certified Angus Beef Schweid and Sons
Normally, I like to make my own burger patties but I saw that they were made with prime grade Certified Angus Beef and thought I would give them a try. 

We started talking about what would be the perfect topping for a great burger and she reminded me of some bacon jam that we had made last year.  The complex smoky bacon and sweet onion flavors would be amazing and I knew this is what we were going to make before we even checked out. 

Bacon Jam and Tomato Burgers

Ingredients


  • 4 One-third pound Certified Angus Beef chuck burger patties
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1.5 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 4 tablespoons bacon jam
  • 8 thin slices tomato
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • Leaf lettuce (optional)

Instructions


  1. Set up your grill for direct heat and preheat the grill to 450°f.
  2. Season your burgers.  Mix the salt, pepper and garlic together and sprinkle on the 4 burger patties.
  3. Toast the buns, cut side down, until golden brown.  Remove.
  4. Grill the burger patties 4 minutes and then flip.
  5. Top the patties with a heaping tablespoon of bacon jam and let them cook for 4 minutes. Double check the internal temperature to make sure it's the temperature you want and then remove.  I aim for 145°f if I ground the beef and 160°f if it is commercially prepared.
  6. Top each bun with a bacon jam laced patty, 2 slices tomato, lettuce (if using), and the bun top.

Notes/Substitutions

  • Certified Angus Beef chuck burgers - As noted, we bought the pre-made Schweid and Sons. You could also just buy a Certified Angus Beef chuck roast and grind it yourself to make 1/3rd pound burger patties.
  • Bacon Jam - I used this recipe that Ms Mozzell taught us at the Smithfield Inn, where she has cooked for some 50 years.  You can also just Google "bacon jam" and get plenty of options for recipes or buying a jar.

These are ground from 100% prime Certified Angus Beef chuck.
I made the bacon jam in a cast iron skillet over a 350°f bed of lump charcoal.



Making bacon jam on a Grill Dome kamado grill
The bacon jam recipe that I do has about 17 ingredients so you definitely want your mise en place set up for quick and easy access.  I cooked this batch on one of our kamado style grills so I could hold the temperature steady.

Bacon crisped and sitting on a cooling rack while I cook the onions.

All mixed together and finishing up....

This stuff is amazing. It is soft and spreadable when warm.  The flavors are deep and intense.

Always toast your buns for more taste and texture.

Craycort griddle on a Craycort cast iron grate in a Big Green Egg
We tested these burgers a few different ways.  The first time I cooked them using a Craycort griddle plate on a Big Green Egg.

Cooking burgers on a flat top griddle gives it a nice crust across the surface.

I also grilled a batch of these burgers on a SABER infrared grill.

If the bacon jam is fresh, you can spoon it on near the end.  But if it has been refrigerated, you will want to top the burger with it as soon as you have flipped it.  That will give the heat long enough to warm the bacon jam up, making it more easily spread.

Bacon Jam and Tomato Burger featuring Certified Angus Beef Schweid and Sons
This is an absolutely stunning burger.  The Schweid and Sons patty is juicy and delicious.  The rich bacon jam adds an array of tastes - onion, smoky, spicy, and a hint of bourbon. The acid from the fresh Summer tomatoes bolsters the taste of the beef and balances the richness of the jam.

Well duh.....when you start with the #BestBeef from Certified Angus Beef, you are going to get the very best burger!

Blythe Angus Ranch

I'm quite bummed out today.  

I was scheduled to be leaving this week to go with the Certified Angus Beef influencers to visit the Blythe Angus Ranch near Kansas City to experience life on a cattle ranch.  They are also going to get to practice cowboy cooking with none other than Kent Rollins, whom you have probably seen on TV. I have been looking forward to this trip since February.




Unfortunately, I have some medical issues that require immediate treatment and I am going to miss out on this great opportunity.  But you and I can check out the fun they are having by following the hashtag #RootsInBoots on Instagram and Twitter this weekend.