Double Bacon Bourbon Cheeseburger Sloppy Joe Melt

🍔 Double Bacon Bourbon Cheeseburger Sloppy Joe Melt

Serves: 4–6

Time: ~30 minutes

Ingredients

Meat & Bacon

• 1½ lbs ground beef (80/20 for max flavor)

• 8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (yes, double bacon energy)

Aromatics

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

• ¾ cup ketchup

• 2 tbsp yellow mustard

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 2–3 tbsp bourbon (use more if you’re bold 😏)

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Salt to taste

Cheese & Bread

• 8 slices cheddar, American, or pepper jack (or a mix)

• 8 slices Texas toast, brioche, or sourdough

• Butter for grilling

Optional but dangerous

• Dill pickle slices

• Caramelized onions

• Jalapeños

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon

   • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy.

   • Remove bacon and set aside, leave the fat (flavor lives here).

2. Brown the Beef

   • Add ground beef to the same skillet.

   • Cook until browned, breaking it up.

   • Drain excess grease but keep about 1–2 tbsp.

3. Build the Flavor

   • Add onion and garlic. Cook 2–3 minutes until soft.

   • Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, bourbon, brown sugar, paprika, pepper, and salt.

   • Simmer 5–7 minutes until thick and sloppy.

   • Stir bacon back in.

4. Make It a Melt

   • Butter one side of each bread slice.

   • Place bread butter-side down in a skillet.

   • Add cheese → sloppy joe mixture → more cheese → top bread.

   • Grill on medium-low until golden and melty, flipping carefully.

5. Serve

   • Slice diagonally (mandatory).

   • Add pickles or jalapeños if you like chaos.