Pineapple Bacon Burger (Printable Version)

Juicy beef patty wrapped in smoky bacon and crowned with fresh pineapple for balanced savory and sweet bites.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Mix

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef (93% lean, 7% fat)
02 - 2 tablespoons smoky style barbecue sauce
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Bacon and Toppings

05 - 8 slices smoked bacon, uncooked
06 - 4 slices fresh pineapple, ½ inch thick, core removed
07 - 2 tablespoons smoky style barbecue sauce for brushing

→ Bread

08 - 4 bakery-style brioche burger buns

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe wire rack over it. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix without overworking to maintain tenderness.
03 - Divide the beef mixture into four equal portions, shaping each into a 3½-inch diameter patty approximately ½ inch thick, weighing about 4 ounces each.
04 - On a parchment-lined tray, arrange two bacon slices in a criss-cross pattern. Place a patty on top, followed by a pineapple slice. Fold bacon strips around to enclose the patty and pineapple. Secure with a toothpick through the bacon cross.
05 - Transfer the wrapped patties to the prepared wire rack on the baking sheet. Repeat until all four are assembled.
06 - Bake for 15 minutes. Remove tray and brush remaining 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce over bacon. Return to oven.
07 - Continue baking 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F for well-done. For medium or medium-well, reduce cooking time by 5-6 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
08 - Toast burger buns if desired while patties finish cooking.
09 - Remove patties from oven and rest 5 minutes on the baking sheet. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and flavorful result.
10 - Place patties onto buns. Optional additions include leaf lettuce or preferred condiments before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Handle the meat mixture gently to avoid dense, tough patties.
02 - Resting cooked patties for 5 minutes enhances juiciness.