The flavor of Memphis barbecue, the flash of Vegas, and the iconic boldness of Elvis come together in this Memphis style burger. This burger recipe is full of flavor thanks to Golden Steer's All Shook Up Seasoning and topped with BBQ sauce, cheese, onions, and flavorful candied bacon.
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It's burger season. But let's do it Vegas style! The Golden Steer Steakhouse in Las Vegas recently sent me their All Shook Up Seasoning (along with Sergio's Seasoning) to celebrate Elvis's 90th birthday. And when I think of The King, I think of two things - rock'n'roll and Memphis. So I decided to make a Memphis style burger topped with All Shook Up seasoned candied bacon. A perfect combination of savory and sweet with the salty crunch of bacon.
The All Shook Up Seasoning is a Memphis style rub inspired by Elvis Presley. It's a flavorful blend made with a bold combination of smoky, tangy, and sweet seasonings like hickory smoke, brown sugar, chili, vinegar, and Worcestershire. It's only available for a limited time, as well, so if you're a fan of Elvis, or just like to try new seasonings, make sure to grab this rub before it sells out!
What is a Memphis burger?
If you're wondering what makes a Memphis burger different from a regular cheeseburger, it's all about the toppings. Memphis burgers are loaded up with Southern style ingredients.
- Barbecue sauce: When you think of Memphis food, you probably think of barbecue. So, of course, Memphis burgers are topped with barbecue sauce instead of ketchup.
- Cheeses: While Memphis burgers can be topped with cheddar cheese, you'll also find them topped with bolder cheeses like pepper jack.
- Coleslaw: You might also find coleslaw on a Memphis burger. It gives it a little extra crunch and freshness.
- Crispy fried onions: You'll also sometimes find crispy fried onions on top of a Memphis burger. They add to that Southern barbecue flavor.
- Pulled pork: If you really want to get crazy, you could even put pulled pork on top of your Memphis burger. Another nod to that good ol' Southern cuisine!
For my version of a Memphis burger, I'm seasoning my burger patties with the All Shook Up Seasoning. Then, I'm layering my burger with cheese, barbecue sauce, sliced onions, and All Shook Up seasoned candied bacon - my own little Elvis-inspired touch.
Memphis Burger with Candied Bacon
So let's shake things up and make a Memphis inspired burger with a ton of bold flavor! Once the candied bacon is made, fire up the grill and cook the burgers to your desired doneness. Then, load them up with Southern style toppings and enjoy this bold twist on a cheeseburger!
Before we make our burgers, we need to make our candied bacon. First, mix up a quick seasoning blend using brown sugar and All Shook Up seasoning. Then, rub it into both sides of each bacon strip.
Place the bacon on a foil lined baking sheet topped with a wire rack and bake the bacon for about 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees. The bacon should be caramelized and crispy, not burnt. Allow the bacon to cool on a wire rack or parchment paper.
Now we can start our burgers, so fire up the grill! We're going to be cooking these over medium-high heat. Form the ground beef into 4 patties. Then, sprinkle both sides with the All Shook Up Seasoning.
Place the burgers on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side. If you want them done more, that's up to you! Before the burgers are totally done, toast the buns on the grill for about a minute.
Now comes the fun part - assembling our burgers! While the burgers are still hot, throw a slice of cheese on top. Then, layer on the barbecue sauce, sliced onion, and candied bacon. Season with Sergio's Seasoning salt and pepper blend, if desired.
Serve with coleslaw on the side and dig in!
Memphis Burger with Candied Bacon
Equipment
- 1 large baking sheet
- 2 wire racks
- 1 Gas grill
Ingredients
For the candied bacon:
- 8 slices bacon preferably thick cut
- 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp. All Shook Up Seasoning
For the burgers:
- 1 pound ground beef preferably 80/20
- 1 tsp. All Shook Up seasoning
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 slices cheddar or pepper jack cheese
- Toppings: barbecue sauce, candied bacon, sliced red onion (raw, grilled, or pickled), Sergio's Seasoning
Instructions
For the candied bacon:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and All Shook Up Seasoning together.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture on top of both sides of the bacon, gently pressing into the bacon.
- Lay the slices evenly on top of the wire rack and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until bacon is caramelized and crispy. Make sure not to burn the bacon.
- Remove bacon from pan after baking and cool on parchment paper or a wire rack.
For the burgers:
- Preheat a gas grill over medium-high heat.
- Divide the ground beef into 4 portions and form into 4 patties.
- Sprinkle each side of the patties with All Shook Up Seasoning.
- Place burgers on the grill and cook 4-5 minutes on each side, or until desired doneness.
- Within the last minute of grilling, add the buns, cut-side-down, onto the grill. Toast 1 minute.
- Place cheese slices on top of burgers and allow to melt slightly.
- Place burgers on top of toasted buns and finish with Sergio's Seasoning, if desired. Top with barbecue sauce, sliced onions, and candied bacon. Serve with coleslaw on the side.
If you happen to have leftover candied bacon, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 or 4 days. Learn more about the Golden Steer Steakhouse and get 10% off your order of the All Shook Up Seasoning, Sergio's Seasoning, and more here.
Did you make this Memphis Burger with Candied Bacon recipe? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
