When we think about comfort food, burgers and onion rings often come to mind. They remind us of summer BBQs, friendly gatherings, or simply a comforting meal at our favorite diner. But what if we combined the two, introducing a twist that’s both innovative and deliciously nostalgic?
Bacon Wrapped Burger Stuffed Onion Rings: Combining Two favorites
In this recipe, we’re not just making burgers or onion rings – we’re merging them. By wrapping a juicy burger mix with bacon and encasing it in an onion ring, we elevate these familiar foods into a single, mouth-watering delight. It’s the perfect marriage of textures: the crispy bacon, the tender beef, and the soft onion. Each bite offers a burst of flavors that complement each other beautifully.
How To Make Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
For a rich Bourbon BBQ Sauce, mix ketchup, water, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, olive oil, minced garlic, bourbon, paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and honey. Simmer the combination in a saucepan until it blends well and achieves the desired thickness. The bourbon adds a distinct depth, making it a standout sauce for any BBQ dish.
Why Use 80/20 Ground Chuck:
Using 80/20 ground chuck, which refers to 80% lean meat and 20% fat, ensures your Bacon Wrapped Burger Stuffed Onion Rings are both juicy and flavorful. The fat content in the 80/20 mix gives the meat a richer taste and prevents it from drying out during the cooking process. It’s the ideal choice for a moist, delicious outcome in recipes like this one. Here are my 3 reasons why I mostly use 80/20!
Taste: The fat in the meat makes the burger taste better. Think of it as the secret ingredient that gives burgers that yummy flavor we all love.
Moistness: The fat keeps the burger juicy. If you’ve ever had a dry burger, it probably didn’t have enough fat in it. The 80/20 mix makes sure your burger stays moist and doesn’t turn out dry.
Softness: A good burger should be soft and easy to bite into. The fat in the 80/20 mix helps with that. Too lean, and the burger might be hard; too fatty, and it could be too soft.
Ingredients:
For the Stuffed Onion Rings:
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground Chuck
- 2 jalapeños, finely diced
- 1 1/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 large onions
- Bacon slices (as needed)
For the Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Water
- ¼ cup Apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Bourbon
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp Honey
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Preparing the Meat Mixture:
Begin by taking a mixing bowl and combining the ground chuck, finely diced jalapeños, and grated sharp cheddar cheese. Mix these ingredients together until they’re well-blended, ensuring that the jalapeños and cheese are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
Slicing and Assembling the Onion Rings:
For the perfect stuffed onion rings, start by slicing your onions into 1/2-inch thick rings. Once you have your rings, pair up the larger ones with the smaller ones. Take a handful of the previously prepared meat mixture and mold it around the edge of the larger onion rings. This should be about 1/4″ thick. Once that’s done, place the smaller onion ring inside the meat border. The onion rings will act as a mold for your meat.
Wrapping with Bacon:
This step brings in the deliciously crispy element. Take slices of bacon and wrap them around each meat-stuffed onion ring. Ensure the bacon covers the meat entirely, overlapping slightly to hold everything in place.
Setting Up and Using the Smoker:
If you’re new to smoking, it’s simpler than it sounds. Preheat your smoker to 250°F and add hickory wood chunks for that rich, smoky flavor. Once it’s at the right temperature, place the bacon-wrapped onion rings on the grill grates.
Making The Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
Smoke the rings for about 45-60 minutes, checking occasionally. You’re aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F for the meat. However, when the onion rings are around 150°F, it’s time for the bourbon BBQ sauce. Using a brush, generously coat each onion ring with the sauce, then continue to smoke them until they reach the desired temperature. Please see the ingredients above or in the recipe card below for the exact ingredients!
Dipping Sauce Creation:
While the rings are smoking, you can prepare the dipping sauce. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sriracha, white wine vinegar, garlic paste, and honey. Mix well until you achieve a smooth consistency. This sauce will add an extra kick, balancing the smoky flavor of the onion rings.
Enjoy your meal with friends and family!
Bacon Wrapped Burger Stuffed Onion Rings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Ingredients
For the Stuffed Onion Rings:
- 2 pounds ground Chuck
- 2 jalapeños finely diced
- 1 1/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 3 large onions
- Bacon slices as needed
For the Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup Ketchup
- ¼ cup Water
- ¼ cup Apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Bourbon
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 1 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp Honey
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
In a bowl, combine ground chuck, jalapeños, and cheddar.
Cut onions into 1/2-inch rings and pair up large rings with smaller ones.
Add meat to the edge of large rings, then place smaller rings inside.
Wrap each meat-stuffed onion in bacon.
Heat smoker to 250°F and use hickory chunks.
Smoke bacon-wrapped onion rings for 45-60 minutes until they reach 165°F.
For the BBQ sauce, mix ingredients in a saucepan and heat until it thickens.
When onion rings are at 150°F, brush them with the BBQ sauce and keep smoking.
For the dipping sauce, mix mayo, sriracha, vinegar, garlic paste, and honey.
Let onion rings cool a bit, then serve with the dipping sauce.
Keyword bacon wrapped onion rings, onion rings, smoked onions rings, stuffed onion rings
We’re glad you gave this unique recipe a shot. Mixing two popular foods like burgers and onion rings might have seemed unusual at first, but that’s the beauty of cooking: taking risks and getting tasty results. Combining these favorites has been a fun experiment, and we’re excited you came along for the ride.
Different Ways to Make Them
Not everyone has a smoker, and that’s okay. An easy alternative is using your oven. Turn it on to 375°F, place the stuffed rings on a baking tray, and let them bake for about 20-25 minutes. Make sure the bacon turns out crispy and the inside meat is well-cooked. If you’re more of a grill person, that works too! Just put them on the grill, watch them so they don’t get too charred, and flip occasionally for even cooking.
More Than Just a Dish
Sharing this dish at gatherings or family dinners can be a highlight. It’s not just about eating but also about the stories and conversations that come up. Maybe you’ll end up discussing the surprising combo, or perhaps it’ll lead to brainstorming other fun recipes. Conversations around food can be just as fulfilling as the meal itself.
In the end, thanks for diving into this recipe. It’s about experimenting, having fun in the kitchen, and most importantly, enjoying the results with others.
DID YOU ENJOY THIS BACON WRAPPED BURGER STUFFE DONION RINGS RECIPE? YOU’LL LOVE MY OTHER BEEF RECIPES IN THE LINK BELOW!
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Items used in This Recipe
