A delicious and easy-to-make bacon cheeseburger toast melt that satisfies your cravings with crispy bacon, juicy beef, and melted cheese on toasted bread.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Skillet
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
8 slices thick-cut Texas toast or sturdy white bread
4 tablespoons softened butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1 pound ground beef, preferably 80% lean
8 slices bacon
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon butter
4 slices cheddar cheese
4 slices American cheese
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Dill pickle slices (optional)
Shredded lettuce (optional)
Thin tomato slices (optional)
Extra cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and parsley, if using. Mix until evenly combined. Spread the garlic butter over one side of each bread slice. Set aside.
Cook the Bacon: Place the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 6–10 minutes, turning as needed, until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool enough to handle, break each slice in half. Carefully drain excess grease from the skillet, leaving a little for flavor if desired.
Caramelize the Onions: Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 12–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown. If the onions begin to brown too quickly, reduce the heat and add a small splash of water. Transfer the onions to a plate.
Cook the Beef: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently, just until combined. Shape the beef into four thin patties, roughly matching the size of your bread slices. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for about 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until browned and cooked through. Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F. During the final minute, place one slice of cheddar and one slice of American cheese over each patty. Cover the skillet briefly to help the cheese melt.
Make the Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, chopped pickles, and smoked paprika, if using. Taste and adjust the mustard or ketchup to your preference.
Toast the Bread: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the bread slices buttered-side down and toast for 2–4 minutes, until golden and crisp. Alternatively, arrange the slices buttered-side up on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 6–8 minutes, flipping once if needed. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Assemble the Toast Melts: Spread burger sauce on the unbuttered side of four toast slices. Layer each with: one cheesy beef patty, caramelized onions, two halves of crispy bacon, pickles or other optional toppings. Top with the remaining toast slices, with the toasted sides facing outward.
Melt and Serve: For an extra-gooey finish, return the assembled sandwiches to a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side, gently pressing with a spatula, until heated through and crisp. If needed, cover the skillet briefly to help the cheese melt without over-browning the bread. Slice in half and serve immediately while the toast is crispy and the cheese is warm and melty.
Notes
Use sturdy bread: Texas toast holds the beef and toppings better than thin sandwich bread.
Keep the toast crisp: Spread sauce just before serving to prevent sogginess.
Don’t overmix the beef: Gentle mixing helps keep the patties tender.
Cook the onions slowly: Their natural sweetness balances the salty bacon and cheese.
Customize the cheese: Pepper Jack adds heat, while Swiss gives the sandwich a richer flavor.
Make it extra cheesy: Add a little shredded cheddar between the patty and top slice of toast.