Smoky Bacon Cheeseburgers with Pickled Pepper Relish
A tribute to the Smoke Stack burger from Shake Shack, these thick, juicy grilled burgers are topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon, grilled onions, and a tangy, spicy relish made with pickled cherry peppers and bacon.
- Prep15 min
- Cook30 min
- Total45 min
- DifficultyMedium
- Servings4
This burger is a celebration of big, bold flavors. The combination of smoky bacon, sweet and spicy pickled peppers, and juicy beef creates a truly satisfying meal that's perfect for a summer cookout or a casual dinner.
The key to this recipe is the relish: it's made by cooking chopped bacon with sugar and pickled cherry peppers until it becomes a chunky, sweet-and-sour condiment that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese. It's a simple yet impressive topping that will elevate your burger game.
Ingredients
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Place half of the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until crisp and well browned, about 15 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Meanwhile, put the pickled cherry peppers in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, 8 to 10 short pulses. Cut the remaining bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. Heat the bacon in a 12-inch non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes.
- Add the sugar and the chopped peppers along with their juices to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture has a chunky, relish-like texture, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- When ready to serve, season the burger patties generously with salt and pepper. Cook them on a hot grill or in a skillet over high heat to your desired doneness: 125°F for medium-rare or 135°F for medium. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of cheese. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
- While the burgers rest, season the onion slices with salt and pepper. Grill or sauté them in a lightly oiled skillet until tender and nicely browned on both sides.
- Place shredded lettuce on the bottom buns, then add the burger patties. Top with the bacon-pepper relish, the grilled onions, and the crispy bacon. Close the burgers and serve immediately.
💡 Tips
- For the best flavor, use freshly ground beef with a higher fat content (80/20).
- If you don't have pickled cherry peppers, you can substitute with pickled jalapeños or pepperoncini.
- Make the relish ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for up to a week.
Inspired by a recipe from Serious Eats