BLT Blue Cheese Ranch Burger
I made these burgers for a group of friends one afternoon and they pretty much lost their minds. The ranch dressing is rich and creamy next to the beefy burger with that crispy bacon, lettuce, and tomato. They are truly indulgent!
Is it possible to fit anything else that I love on one burger? Yes, make the bacon jam. You know how you bite into a burger with a strip of bacon on it and the bacon slides out? Well, I’m a problem solver. Pairing this beautiful hunk of beef with our new vintage of Malbec — its rich mouthfeel and combo of fruity blackberry preserves, spice, and cocoa plays perfectly with the bold flavors of this burger.
Directions
For the Ranch:
Combine all of the ingredients and mix.
For the jam:
Heat the bacon drippings over medium-low heat. Add the shallot cook 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and caramelize for another 3 minutes.
Place the mixture into a food processor and add the bacon pieces. Pulse until finely chopped and becomes a jam-like consistency.
In a large skillet, heat over medium-high heat with avocado oil. Season the burger patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Allow to cook on the first side for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the burger, add a splash of water and top with cheese slices. Cover the skillet with a lid and allow the burgers to continue cooking again, another 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is melted and burgers are cooked perfectly.
To assemble, spread the bacon jam on the bottom of the potato bun, top with a tomato slice and bibb lettuce leave. Place a burger patty on top and drizzle with blue cheese ranch. Enjoy hot!
Ingredients
For the Blue Cheese Ranch:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
Bacon Shallot Jam:
- 8 slices cooked bacon (save drippings)
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
For the Burgers:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 slices white cheddar cheese
- 4 potato buns
- Tomato
- Lettuce
Pair It with this!
Malbec
It’s an honor to present this deep, yet fruity red blend from Argentine pioneers of sustainable viticulture and socially responsible winemaking. It has a concentrated purple core with a magenta edge and explodes with layers of violets, blackberry preserves, and fresh herbs. The mouthfeel is rich and generous with an exceptional fruit balance, plus plenty of spice and tannins on the cocoa-espresso-tinged finish. It will have your palate doing a Tango while you contemplate your next move.