The Barbecue Burger

Ingredients for The Barbecue Burger

• 900g beef mince (preferably a mixture of ground chuck and sirloin, about 18 percent fat)

• 2 to 45ml Kansas City Sweet and Smoky Rub, or your favourite barbecue rub

• 4 cos lettuce leaves (take from near the centre)

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 4 onion rolls or 4 hamburger buns, sliced almost in half through the side

• 4 thick strips artisanal bacon

• 4 thick slices red ripe tomato

• 6 to 120ml Smoke Wrangler’s Barbecue Sauce, or your favourite barbecue sauce

• 350ml hardwood chips, soaked in water for 30 minutes, then drained

Form the beef mince into 4 patties, each about 3 1/2 inches across and 3/4-inch thick. Make a slight depression in the centre. (Burgers rise more in the centre than on the periphery, so the slight indentation helps give you an even thickness.) Generously season the burgers on both sides with the Kansas City Sweet and Smoky Rub and let marinate in the refrigerator while you light your grill.

Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat to high. Brush and oil the grill grate.

Lightly brush the cos lettuce leaves on both sides with olive oil (you’ll need about 1 tablespoon .) Brush the insides of the onion rolls with the remaining oil.

Arrange the bacon strips on the grill grate and grill until browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (Move them as needed to dodge any flare-ups.)

Grill the hamburgers until cooked to taste, about 4 minutes per side for medium (71°C on an instant-read thermometer.)

Grill the lettuce leaves over the hot fire until lightly browned, 30 seconds per side. Toast the onion rolls, cut side down, over the hot fire, 1 to 2 minutes.

To assemble, place a grilled cos leaf on the bottom half of each onion roll. Top with a burger, then barbecue sauce, then a tomato slice, bacon, and more barbecue sauce. Top with the other onion roll half.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.