Crack Burgers Recipe | Cheesy, Crispy Bacon Ranch Burgers

Last Updated on September 19, 2025

Ever bite into a burger so cheesy and flavorful that you wonder if it should be legal? That’s the Crack Burger. Juicy beef patties loaded with bacon, cheddar, and ranch seasoning — seared until a crispy cheese skirt forms around the edges. This isn’t just dinner. It’s a flavor crime you’ll want to commit again and again.

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.

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.

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!

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.

1. Mix the Patties: Combine the ground beef, bacon bits, ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar, and a spoonful of sour cream. Mix gently (don’t overwork it or you’ll end up with hockey pucks). Shape into patties, pressing a slight dimple in the center.

2. Sear the burgers: Preheat your griddle, cast-iron skillet, or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook until browned and crusty on the outside, about 3–4 minutes per side.

4. Toast Those Buns: While the burgers finish, butter and toast your buns until golden brown. Trust me, it makes a difference.
5. Build and Serve: Stack patties on buns, add toppings, and prepare for burger glory.

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.

Tips for the Best Crack Burgers

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.

Suggested Toppings for Crack Burgers

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

• Sweet & Spicy Pickles
• Quick Pickled Red Onions
• Spicy Tennessee Onions
• Horseradish Aioli
• Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
• BBQ Ranch Dressing
• Creamy Beer Cheese Sauce
• Smoky Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce
• Roasted Hatch Chile Jam

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