Coffee-Crusted Cheeseburgers with Smoky Chipotle BBQ Sauce
These Coffee-Crusted Cheeseburgers are topped with crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and a smoky-sweet chipotle BBQ sauce. Grill them outdoors, pan-fry them on the stove, or finish them under the broiler for a juicy burger packed with bold flavor.
Ingredients
Coffee Rub
- 1 tablespoon finely ground fresh coffee or espresso
- 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground coarse black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon oregano leaves crushed between your fingers
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Burgers
- 4 slices applewood-smoked bacon
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef use 80/20 for best results
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- red onion slices
- Sliced dill pickles
- tomato slices optional
- lettuce optional
Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 chipotle in adobo minced, with seeds
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the Coffee Rub
- In a small bowl, combine the coffee, brown sugar, black pepper, coriander, oregano, and salt. Mix well. You'll use about 1 teaspoon per burger. Store any remaining rub in an airtight container for future use.
Prepare the Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 1 minute until softened.Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, chipotle chile, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Set aside.
Prepare the Burgers
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and break each slice in half.Form into 4 patties about ¾-inch thick. Press a shallow indentation in the center of each burger to help keep them flat while cooking.Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the coffee rub evenly over one side of each burger.
Grill Method
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.Place the burgers on the grill, rub-side down, and cook for about 4 minutes. Turn and cook for 2 to 4 minutes more, depending on desired doneness.Top each burger with bacon and a slice of cheddar cheese. Close the lid and cook until the cheese melts.
Skillet Method
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.Cook the burgers, rub-side down first, for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired doneness. Top with bacon and cheese during the last minute of cooking and cover briefly to melt the cheese.
Broiler Method
- Place the burgers on a broiler pan or rack set over a baking sheet.Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat, about 4 minutes per side. Add the bacon and cheese during the final minute and continue broiling until the cheese is melted.
Assemble
- Place the burgers on toasted buns. Add red onion, pickles, tomato, and lettuce as desired. Spoon a generous dollop of Chipotle BBQ Sauce over each burger, top with the bun, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutritional Values may not be 100% accurate.
Lindy's Tip: Don't skip toasting the buns. A toasted bun adds flavor, helps prevent sogginess, and holds up much better to juicy burgers and BBQ sauce.
One chipotle chile adds a mild smoky heat. For a spicier sauce, add a second chile or a spoonful of the adobo sauce.
Store left over rub in an airtight container. Use to season steaks or additional burgers.
Nutrition
Calories: 871kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 43gFat: 58gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 1788mgPotassium: 938mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 671IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 331mgIron: 7mg
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