Name: Crack Burgers: Irresistibly Cheesy & Crispy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Burgers
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef, 85/15 recommended; 3 tablespoons sour cream; 2 tablespoons ranch dressing powder; 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 tablespoon Canyon Crust Beef Seasoning; Hamburger buns (3-5 depending on burger size)

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These irresistible Crack Burgers are a guaranteed hit for any burger lover, packed with savory bacon, crispy textures, and melty cheese. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to prepare, making them perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend cookout.

The inspiration for these Crack Burgers comes from the viral sensation of Crack Chicken—a creamy, cheesy dish with bacon and ranch flavors that took the internet by storm.

Taking cues from this beloved recipe, we’ve transformed its essence into a burger form, marrying juicy ground beef with the irresistible combination of bacon, ranch, and cheddar cheese.

Love burgers? We got you: Try out the Grilled Cheese Burgers, Smoked Burgers, Smashburger Tacos, or even the Smoked Bratwurst Burgers.

Table of Contents

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Why This Recipe Works

These are the simple ingredients to make a batch of crack burgers.

Ingredients for Crack Burgers

Mix up these simple ingredients for the most delicious burgers. It only takes a few minutes:

Ground beef – I recommend 85/15 for this recipe, due to the added ingredients.
Sour cream – This helps to bond all of the ingredients together, and it works incredibly well.
Ranch dressing powder – Widely available for purchase, or you can make your own.
Bacon – Use your favorite, even if it’s thick-cut bacon. Don’t substitute with dry bacon bits, it’s not the best for this recipe.
Cheddar cheese – Classic for Crack Chicken, and pairs perfectly with bacon. See Variations for other suggestions.
Canyon Crust Beef Seasoning – Dust the outside of your burgers with this before cooking for the ultimate peppery crust.
Hamburger buns – Brioche or potato buns are recommended, but don’t let that stop you.

The cheddar cheese forms a crispy cheese skirt on these griddled burgers.

How to Cook Crack Burgers

Searing the burgers on a griddle is highly recommended. Bacon needs to be cooked and crisped, plus the buns can be toasted easily.

You can prepare this recipe using any flat-top cooking surface, or cast iron skillet.

Prepare the bacon crumbles: Cook the bacon until crispy, then chop it into small bits once cooled.
Combine ingredients for the burgers: In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, sour cream, ranch dressing powder, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense burgers.

Season the cheeseburgers with Canyon Crust Beef Seasoning.

Form the burger patties: Divide the mixture into 3-5 equal portions and shape them into burger patties. Press down slightly in the center to prevent swelling.

Season the outside of the patties with Canyon Crust Beef Seasoning on all sides.

Cook the prepared Crack Burger patties on the griddle and sear for a few minutes.

Cook the burgers on the griddle: Toast the hamburger buns on the griddle first, then add the burger patties.

Sear the first side for about 5 minutes until crispy, then flip and cook the second side to your preferred doneness. Add slices of cheese to melt on top of the burgers.

Depending on the size and thickness of the burger patties, they may need longer cooking time. Turn down the heat once they flip and continue to cook. This will help to prevent the crust from burning while properly cooking the inside.

Just like a steak, a medium-rare burger will be cooked to approximately 125-130°F before resting.

Flip the crack burger patties and build a crust on the second side. The cheese is melting and forming a crispy cheese skirt.

Can I Grill These Burgers Instead?

Grilling Crack Burgers is possible, however the moisture content and cheese will make them difficult to flip.

As the cheese sears, along with the sour cream content, the burgers tend to stick to the grates. If your grill grates are exceptionally clean and well-seasoned, it’s definitely possible. Make sure you use a medium temperature, not too hot, to ensure that the burgers will cook without burning.

Don't forget to top the crispy bacon ranch cheeseburgers with a slice of cheddar.

Variations for Crack Burgers

Think about the possibilities for flavorful options using this recipe as a blueprint! Different cheeses, spices, and even a variety of ground meat.

Ground chicken or turkey burgers. That’s right, going back to the roots of Crack Chicken by using ground chicken meat. Don’t worry, these poultry burgers will be incredibly moist because of the bacon, cheddar, and sour cream added in.
Kick up the heat with chiles. Of course, I’d suggest this. Mince up some chipotles in adobo, or even try using the Sedona Sand All-Purpose Rub for the crust. Dice up jalapenos, serranos, or your favorite chile pepper.
Try a mix of cheeses. Pepper jack would add a nice kick, while Gouda or Gruyere would give the bacon ranch cheeseburgers a nice smoky profile to pair with the bacon. I can imagine how savory that would be!

Grab a hold of this delicious Crack Burger, filled with cheddar, bacon, and ranch.

Important Tips

Follow these to make sure your bacon ranch cheeseburgers are crispy, full-cooked, and absolutely delicious:

Don’t Overmix: Be cautious not to overmix the burger ingredients, as this can result in tough burgers.
Even Cooking: Pressing down slightly in the center of the patties helps them cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up too much.
Melt Cheese Last: Adding the cheese slices towards the end of cooking ensures they melt perfectly over the burgers.

Creamy BBQ ranch and onions are on this crispy Crack Burger.

Suggested Toppings for Crack Burgers

Try any of these delicious toppings to level up your crispy burgers:

Searing up Juicy, Crispy Burgers

Mix, sear, and enjoy the cheesiest, crustiest bacon ranch cheeseburger at home. At Chiles and Smoke, we’re here to bring people together with bold flavors, using spice and flames to ignite the food and friendships.

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