CopycatSpices
Copycat Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburger
Build the ultimate Five Guys-style bacon cheeseburger at home with two smashed patties, crispy bacon, and all the classic toppings.
copycat · five-guys · fast-food · burger
🕑Prep15 min
🍳Cook12 min
⏱Total27 min
🍽Serves4
⭐DifficultyEasy
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs 80/20 ground beef
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 8 slices American cheese
- 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard for toppings
- 1 tablespoon butter for toasting buns
Instructions
- 1.Cook the bacon. Lay the bacon strips in a cold skillet and cook over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until crispy — about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
- 2.Form the patties. Divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls (about 3 oz each). Do not overwork the meat. Season each ball generously with salt and pepper.
- 3.Smash and sear. Heat a flat griddle or cast iron skillet over high heat. Place the beef balls on the hot surface and immediately smash them flat with a sturdy spatula. Cook for 2-3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms, then flip.
- 4.Add cheese. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on each patty after flipping. Let it cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bottom is perfectly seared.
- 5.Toast the buns. Butter the cut sides of the buns and place them on the griddle for 30-60 seconds until golden brown.
- 6.Assemble. Stack two patties on each bun with two slices of bacon. Add your preferred toppings — lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard — and serve immediately wrapped in foil for the authentic Five Guys experience.
Five Guys is famous for its no-frills, high-quality burgers made with fresh ground beef and generous toppings. The beauty of a Five Guys burger is in its simplicity — quality beef, a hot griddle, and the freedom to pile on as many free toppings as you want. This copycat recipe nails that experience at home.
Why This Recipe Works
Five Guys uses 80/20 ground beef for the perfect fat-to-lean ratio, giving you a juicy, flavorful patty every time. The smash technique creates maximum surface area for the Maillard reaction, producing that incredible caramelized crust. Two patties per burger with American cheese in between creates the signature indulgent stack.
Pro Tips
- Never press on the patties after the initial smash — you will squeeze out all the flavorful juices.
- American cheese is non-negotiable here. Its meltability is unmatched and it is what Five Guys uses.
- Wrap the finished burger in foil for 2 minutes before eating. The steam softens the bun slightly and melds all the flavors together, just like when you unwrap a Five Guys burger from the bag.
