Our Cowboy Burger may cause you to unhinge your jaw - This mammoth burger is full of spicy smoky flavors and piled high with bacon and onion rings for an incredible burger you won't soon forget!
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A big burger needs big bold flavors That's why these giant Cowboy Burgers start with some spicy shredded cheese mixed right into the ground beef before grilling.
Then we add our Cowboy Steak Rub with a mixture of seasonings and spices light cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, ground coffee and garlic bring the heat and smokiness. Loading on the bacon and crispy onion rings puts this baby over the top, don't you think?
And if you love the flavors of our cowboy steak rub, you'll want to make our cowboy corn casserole, too. It's a great side dish to serve with these burgers.
🧂 Ingredients
This is meant to be a brief overview of the recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
- Cowboy Steak Rub
- ground beef
- spicy shredded cheese such as pepper jack
- Worcestershire sauce
- BBQ sauce (I love using this BBQ Sauce recipe, but store-bought will do also)
- cheddar cheese
- bacon
- store-bought or homemade onion rings
Equipment
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Optional:
- Burger Patty Press which helps you to make perfectly shaped burgers, and even stuffed burgers. This is one of my favorite 'extras' in the kitchen.
- Weber iGrill Mini to check the internal temperature
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Why do burger patties shrink when cooking?
It's not just ground beef, all meat shrinks in size and weight during cooking. How much your meat shrinks depends on a number of factors including fat and moisture content, the temperature at which the meat is cooked, and how long it is cooked. Cooking hamburgers at moderate temperatures not only helps to reduce shrinkage but also retains juices and flavor better.
🔪Instructions
- Start by frying the bacon until crispy, then set aside on paper towels.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high.
- Add 1 cup Cabot Shredded Fiery Jack or Pepper Jack cheese to the ground beef.
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and form into patties - I used a burger press to get uniform patties.
- Sprinkle the Cowboy Steak Rub on both sides of the burgers, about ¼ teaspoon per side.
- After that, sprinkle the burgers with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire on each side.
- Place the burgers on the grill and brush with the BBQ sauce. Cook for 4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, start cooking your onion rings. I love my air fryer for this.
- Flip the burger and brush the other side with BBQ sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes for medium.
- Add the slices of cheese on top of the burgers. Close the lid and let them the cheese melt, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the grill onto buns.
- Top with onion rings, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and additional BBQ sauce.
How long do I cook burgers?
The USDA recommends cooking hamburgers to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 °F (71.1 °C). Use a food thermometer to check that they have reached a safe internal temperature. I personally use the Weber iGrill Mini because it's super easy to use.
Here are approximate times for cooking burgers:
- Rare: 6 minutes
- Medium rare: 7 minutes
- Medium: 8 minutes
- Medium-well: 9 minutes
- Well-done: 11 minutes
📖 Variations
- Instead of BBQ sauce, try our Spicy Ketchup Recipe.
- For a less spicy burger, use shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese instead of pepper jack.
- Use Ranch Seasoning Mix instead of the Cowboy Rub for a ranch burger!
- Try our sweet and savory Cherry BBQ Sauce.
- Add a dollop of honey mustard or burger sauce on top.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
These delicious sides can be prepped or fully made ahead of time and will be a great compliment to the burgers:
- Popular Cowboy Caviar or our Corn and Avocado Salsa are both super easy and can be scooped up with chips or served as a side dish.
- You can also make up a big bowl of Grilled Corn Salad the day before.
- Our Rainbow Veggie Kabobs are simple to put together and are as delicious as they are beautiful.
😋 Similar Recipes
Whether it's for a cookout, to celebrate National Burger Day or just because, here are some of our other favorite burger recipes:
📋 Cowboy Burger
With spicy shredded cheese incorporated into the ground beef and our Cowboy Steak Rub for added kick, they burgers are perfect for those that like the heat!
Not ready to make our cowboy burger recipe yet? Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Cowboy Burger
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Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef I use 85% or 90% lean
- ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons Cowboy Steak Rub
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ cup BBQ Sauce
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 burger buns
- salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings
- lettuce
- tomatoes, sliced
- 8 strips cooked bacon
- onion rings
Instructions
- Start by frying the bacon until crispy, then set aside on paper towels.8 strips cooked bacon
- Preheat the grill to medium-high.
- Place the ground beef into a large mixing bowl.1 lb ground beef
- Add ½ cup Pepper Jack cheese to the ground beef. Do not over mix.½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and form into patties.
- Then, sprinkle the Cowboy Steak Rub on both sides of the burgers, about ¼ teaspoon per side. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.2 tablespoons Cowboy Steak Rub, salt and pepper, to taste
- After that, sprinkle the burgers with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire on each side.2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- Place the burgers on the grill and brush with the BBQ sauce. Cook for 4 minutes.½ cup BBQ Sauce
- Flip the burger and brush the other side with BBQ sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes for medium.½ cup BBQ Sauce
- Meanwhile, start cooking your onion rings. I love my air fryer for this.
- Add the slices of cheese on top of the burgers. Close the lid and let them the cheese melt, about 2-3 minutes.4 slices cheddar cheese
- Remove from the grill onto buns. Top with shredded firey jack cheese, onion rings, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and additional BBQ sauce.4 burger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, sliced, onion rings
Equipment
- Gas Grill
Notes
- Rare: 6 minutes
- Medium rare: 7 minutes
- Medium: 8 minutes
- Medium-well: 9 minutes
- Well-done: 11 minutes
- Burger Patty Press which helps you to make perfectly shaped burgers, and even stuffed burgers. This is one of my favorite 'extras' in the kitchen.
- Weber iGrill Mini to check the internal temperature of your grilled meats. This is the exact model I have and love!
Nutrition
More Hearty Dishes
Check out these cowboy food recipes including cowboy cornbread casserole, cowboy caviar, and cowboy butter dipping sauce.
These recipes will stick to your ribs and put a smile on your face!
Ann from Sumptuous Spoonfuls says
Mmmm yes please! I love the extra kick you gave the burger by mixing spicy cheese right into the burger mix! Awesome idea.
Ang Paris says
Oh gosh, it's SO good with the cheese!
Thanks for stopping by Ann 🙂
Sarah says
I need to make this ASAP. Seriously looks so amazing.
Ang Paris says
Thanks Sarah 🙂 It's pretty darn tasty!
Wendi Haught says
Love the cheese in the burger mix!! And the side dish recommendations you’ve included look fantastic — will want to try them all, too!
Ang Paris says
Hey Wendy! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This is definitely an amazing burger. I hope you get a chance to try it soon!
Jenni says
What a fantastic burger! And that steak rub sounds like magic in a jar. Pinning that guy, too!
Ang Paris says
Oh you'll love that rub, it's incredible! Super versatile too 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by Jenni!
Laura says
This looks crazy good! I'm all about the onion rings, too! Love them in my burger!
Ang Paris says
Right?! They just add such a great flavor and texture to a burger 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting Laura.
Shelby says
This looks so delicious! I love a burger like this. Crispy Onion Rings and BBQ Sauce are awesome on a burger!
Gwynn says
Bacon makes everything better so count me in!
Ang Paris says
So true! Thanks for stopping by Gwynn!
Christie Campbell says
Those onion rings, that sauce, these burgers! This is such a great combo and my family loves them. Thanks for the recipe!