Awesome Bacon Cheese Burgers with Baked Home Fries

Awesome Bacon Cheese Burgers

My kids go crazy for In -N-Out Burgers when we are on the West Coast...this recipe is inspired by their burgers, complete with Fry Sauce.  I've discovered Fry Sauce is a West Coast thing...but we love it and can't eat a burger without it!  The Burger Sauce adds yet another flavor element to the burger that we can't live without. You can add some additional toppings like onion, avocado and tomato, but we love it "as is." This recipe will make 8 equal sized burgers.  I like to use my Williams-Sonoma Stuffed Burger Press to form my burgers. 

2 pounds ground beef chuck, sirloin or buffalo

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper
*

8 slices sharp Cheddar cheese

8 strips thick-slice apple-wood smoked bacon

8 hamburger buns

Gently mix ground beef with mustard, and Worcestershire sauce and season generously with salt and pepper.  Form into 8 equal sized patties.  In large skillet, cook bacon until nicely browned and crisp. Remove bacon from pan and set aside.  Cook meat patties in bacon drippings for 2 minutes on medium heat and flip. Take a piece of bacon and break it in half and place both pieces of bacon on top of each patty.  Lay a piece of cheese over the bacon.  Cover skillet with a lid and cook until cheese melts slightly, about 3 minutes. Butter hamburger buns, lay open on a large baking sheet and place under broiler for up to 60 seconds, watching all the while to prevent burning.  Spread Burger Sauce on top and bottom of toasted hamburger buns.  Add a hamburger patty with bacon and melted cheese to each bottom bun.  Top the cheese with a dollop of Fry Sauce and add top bun.  Dig in!

Fry Sauce

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup chopped dill pickle, if desired

 Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl.  Top burger off with a dollop of  Fry Sauce.  Enjoy with home fries on the side!

Burger Sauce

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons ketchup

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Spread on hamburger buns.

Baked Home Fries

1 1/2 pounds larger russet potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Cut potatoes into lengthwise slices 1/2 inch thick.  Cut each slice into 1/2 inch wide strips. Place on rimmed baking sheet and toss with olive oil and salt and pepper.  Spread potatoes out in a single layer.  Roast potatoes for 20-25 minutes or until tender, and golden.  Serve immediately with Bacon Cheese Burgers and extra fry sauce.