Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 for juiciness; substitute ground turkey or chicken if preferred)
- 6 slices of bacon
- 4 hamburger buns, split
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade—my mom swears by her own blend!)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 large lettuce leaves (romaine or iceberg work great)
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- Optional: pickles and red onion slices
Instructions
- Start by cooking your bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. I like to cook extra bacon because, well, bacon is life—and leftovers make great snacks for the kids.
- While the bacon cooks, mix the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands to combine gently, being careful not to overwork the meat so your patties stay tender.
- Divide the beef mixture into four equal portions and gently shape each into a patty slightly wider than your buns. Pro tip: make a small indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent puffing up during cooking.
- Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for about 4 minutes on the first side, then flip and place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the burgers reach your desired doneness. If you’re using a skillet, you can cover it with a lid for the last minute to help the cheese melt faster.
- While the burgers cook, lightly toast your buns on the grill or in a toaster. Toasting adds just enough crunch to keep your buns from getting soggy once you add the ranch and juicy burger.
- Assemble your Bacon Ranch Cheeseburgers by spreading about a tablespoon of ranch dressing on both the top and bottom buns. Layer the bottom bun with lettuce, tomato slices, the cheesy burger patty, crispy bacon (two slices each), and any optional pickles or onions you like.
- Cap it with the top bun, press down gently, and get ready to enjoy a messy, flavorful bite that’s worth every crumb on your countertop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Bacon Ranch Cheeseburger, recipe, cooking, food
