Ingredients
→ Burgers
1 pound lean ground beef (93%-7% fat ratio)
4 tablespoons smoky style barbecue sauce, divided
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Toppings
8 slices smoked bacon, uncooked
4 slices fresh pineapple, ½ inch thick, core removed
4 brioche-style burger buns
Steps
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and an oven-safe wire rack.
Mix ground beef, 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl, taking care not to overwork the meat.
Divide the ground beef mixture into four equal portions, approximately 4 ounces each. Shape each into a patty 3 ½ inches in diameter and ½ inch thick.
Place two slices of bacon in a criss-cross pattern. Add one beef patty in the center, followed by a pineapple slice on top. Fold the bacon over the patty and secure with a toothpick.
Repeat the process for all four burgers and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, brush the remaining 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce over the bacon, and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Toast the burger buns if desired while the burgers are cooking.
Let the burgers rest for 5 minutes. Serve on buns with optional toppings like lettuce, onion, or cheese.
Tips
- Ground beef should be cooked to 160°F-165°F for safe consumption as per USDA guidelines.
- Canned pineapple rings can be substituted for fresh pineapple if needed, but ensure they’re patted dry first.
- Thick-cut bacon may not crisp well during the cooking time; standard or center-cut slices are recommended.
Required Tools
- Large rimmed baking sheet
- Oven-safe wire rack
- Large bowl
- Pastry brush
- Toothpicks
- Instant-read thermometer