BEST Blue Cheese Burger Recipe

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This Blue Cheese Burger is an easy 20-minute meal that’s perfect for backyard grilling, weekend cookouts, or a quick dinner at home. Made with juicy ground chuck, tangy blue cheese crumbles, crispy bacon, and your favorite burger toppings, it’s rich, bold, and packed with flavor in every bite. Fire up the grill and let’s get into it!

 

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Ingredient Notes

Man, do I love a good burger, and this Blue Cheese Burger (or Bleu Cheese if you’re faaaaancy) will not disappoint! Or this could be called a Blue Cheese BACON Burger if you add bacon, like me. Sometimes you just gotta give into those cravings. Speaking of bacon, have you tried cooking it in the oven? It’s one of my most loved methods for bacon. You can see How to Cook Bacon in the Oven here. Here is what you need for these blue cheese burgers:

• Ground chuck (80/20) – This fat ratio makes for juicy burgers with flavor.
• Finely minced onion – Adds moisture and sweetness. You can sub in red onion for a sharper bite.
• BBQ sauce – Just a little bit in the beef mixture gives it a tangy, smoky depth.
• Kosher salt + black pepper – Basics that bring out the best in everything.
• Thick-cut bacon – For crunch and that unmistakable bacon goodness.
• Blue cheese crumbles – The star of the show. Use your favorite blue cheese or try gorgonzola cheese for milder flavor.
• Lettuce + tomato – Always classic.
• Mayonnaise – A swipe on the bottom bun adds creaminess.
• Hamburger buns – potato buns, brioche buns, whole grain buns, slider buns, or even a lettuce wrap will work!

A Note About Buns: There are a ton of different hamburger buns out there. I opted for a potato bread buns, which are soft and full of flavor. Consider toasting it for a slight crunch too! If you have a favorite bun that you already use, feel free to use that instead.

How to Make Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers

This Blue Cheese Burger is really easy to whip up. It was probably 20 minutes from start to finish. Cook the bacon, cook the burgers, and then put everything together. Once you try grilling burgers this way, you’ll never go back to your old ways. Promise. You’ll find the full printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Cook Bacon

In a large skillet, cook bacon to personal preference. Remove and drain on paper towels. If you want to try cooking the bacon in the oven, I highly recommend it!

Step 2: Mix the Ground Chuck, Onion, and BBQ Sauce

Add the ground chuck (I used 80/20), minced onion, BBQ sauce, salt, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl. Gently mix everything together with your hands or a wooden spoon until the ingredients are evenly combined. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape each one into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.

Step 3: Preheat Grill

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, place the burger patties directly on the grates. Grill for about 3 minutes on each side.

Step 4: Add the Blue Cheese

Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles over each burger patty. Cover the grill and cook for 1 more minute, giving the cheese time to soften and melt slightly.

Step 5: Turn Off the Grill and Finish Cooking

Turn off the grill and leave the burgers on the grates. Close the lid and continue cooking for about 3 minutes, or until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the center of the thickest part of each patty.

Step 6: Assemble the Burgers and Serve

Spread mayonnaise over the cut sides of the burger buns. Layer each burger with lettuce, tomato, the cooked burger patty with blue cheese, and crispy bacon. Add the top bun, then serve the burgers right away with your favorite sides.

What You Need to Make This Best Blue Cheese Burger

A few basic kitchen tools will make it easier to prep, cook, and assemble these blue cheese burgers.

• Large skillet – I use this for cooking the bacon until crisp and golden
• Mixing bowls – helpful for combining the burger mixture and preparing the toppings
• Grill – gives the burgers a nicely seared exterior and smoky grilled flavor
• Prep bowls – keep your toppings and ingredients organized and ready to use
• Measuring cups and spoons – make it easy to portion the ingredients accurately

Get Juicy Burgers Every Time – Tips for Success

Here are a few rules I like to live by in order to get and keep a juicy burger.

• Start with good quality meat! This sort of seems like a “duh” tip, but it makes such a difference! For best results, use 1 pound of grass-fed 80/20 ground chuck. The fat content will add not only moisture, but great flavor as well. 
• Add minimal salt to your meat mixture, and then salt burgers right before they come off the grill. Salt draws out moisture, so if you salt the meat ahead of time, it will work against you!
• Form even, wide patties for quick and even cooking versus smaller, thicker patties.
• While grilling, don’t press on or try to flatten your burger. This is the exact reason why thermometers were invented! You are getting rid of all that moisture every time you press on your burgers!  Yes, it helps you see if your burger has clear juices running through it, but it also defeats the purpose of maintaining the moisture in the meat. 
• Preheat your grill to moderate heat. You don’t want your grill blazing away over the high heat. ROOKIE MISTAKE! The outside will be nearly black by the time the inside is even close to being cooked. Keep your heat even and on medium.
• Use Residual Heat. Cook burgers on one side, flip, then cook briefly on the other. Turn the grill off and let them finish cooking in the residual heat with the lid closed. It seems a little odd, but it helps keep things extra moist, and that’s the whole point of this list.

What Should I Serve with Blue Cheese Hamburgers?

Here are a few ideas to serve as a side dish with Blue Cheese Burgers:

• Air Fryer French Fries – Crispy fries are a classic side that balance the rich, savory flavors of the burger.
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries – Their natural sweetness pairs nicely with the salty blue cheese and savory beef.
• My Grandma’s Potato Salad – Creamy potato salad adds a cool, comforting side to the warm burger.
• Italian Pasta Salad – Fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing add a lighter contrast to the rich burger.
• Macaroni Salad – The creamy, slightly sweet flavor makes this a comforting side for a hearty burger.
• Seafood Pasta Salad – A chilled pasta salad adds variety to the meal while keeping the side light and refreshing.
• Doctored Up Baked Beans – Sweet and savory baked beans complement the smoky, hearty flavors of a grilled blue cheese burger.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Cooked hamburger tends to last in the fridge for 4-5 days before it dries out. Store in an airtight container or zip top bag. I’d suggest assembling these blue cheese burgers when you are ready to serve!

To reheat, warm the burger patties in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, flipping once or twice. You can also microwave them in short intervals, but the skillet helps keep the patties from drying out.

Can you freeze this blue cheese burger recipe?
Yes! Freeze raw patties between parchment in an airtight container. Thaw overnight before cooking.

Can I make these ahead?
Totally. Mix and shape your burgers, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Cook just before serving.

FAQs

Variations

Switch things up with these blue cheese burger ingredients:

• Swap ground chuck for lean ground beef (won’t be as juicy) or even a bubba burger if you need a super shortcut.
• Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, or a spoonful of dijon mustard to your burger mixture.
• Go big with caramelized onions, homemade blue cheese dressing, or a drizzle of blue cheese sauce.
• For heat, toss in some chopped green onion or crushed red pepper flakes.

Common Burger Toppings to Consider

When it comes to toppings on a good burger, the sky is the limit. I prefer the usual lettuce, tomato, and mayo. This burger recipe calls for BBQ sauce in the meat mixture! Yum! Here are some other topping ideas you might try.

• Grilled Mushrooms
• Caramelized Onions
• Pickles
• Fries
• Onion rings
• Jalapeños

More Burger Recipes to Try!

• The Best Burger Recipe
• Juicy Turkey Burger Recipe
• Greek Burgers
• Cheeseburger Sliders
• Chicken Parmesan Burgers

A weekend, a holiday, or just a Tuesday that needs saving is the perfect excuse to make these blue cheese burgers. Serve them at your next get-together with friends or whenever you’re craving a really good burger. The printable recipe card is below. Enjoy, friends!

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.