What's Your Beef? Cheeseburger with Gimme the Loot Spicy Candied Bacon

A classic burger — BBQ doesn't get much better or simpler! This is one of our favorite burger recipes, originally created by my son as "Jimmy's Epic Sauce Burger" for a Kids Q competition. He won and had the honor of having his recipe in the Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) cookbook.

He was 7 at the time. He's now 19, and we still make this burger. Feel free to adjust toppings and make it your own with your favorite Loot N' Booty BBQ rubs. This recipe calls for What's Your Beef? Rub, but sometimes we  add a little Jolly Roger Jalapeño Garlic Black Rub for an added flavor boost.

Burger Directions

1. Divide the ground beef and form 4 to 6 patties of equal size. Season the patties all around and on both sides with What's Your Beef? Rub and spray them with avocado oil.
2. In a small bowl, combine the mayo, ketchup and hot sauce. Still well until all ingredients are well incorporated. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. 
3. Set up your grill for direct cooking. Fill a charcoal chimney with charcoal and light it with a fire cube. When the coals turn gray, dump them evenly into your grill grate or basket. The entire surface of your grill should have an even amount of coals to ensure a consistent temp. Close the lid and open the top and bottom vents. Right before you're ready to cook, scatter a small handful of pecan wood chips directly over your hot coals.
4. Open the lid and place the burger patties on the grate, directly over the coals. Close the lid and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Open the lid and rotate the patties 90 degrees. Close the lid and cook for another 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
5. Open the lid, flip the burgers, then close the lid. Cook for another 1 1/2 to 2 minutes and give the patties another 90-degree turn.
6. Top each patty with a slice of cheese, close the lid again and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until your patties reach desired doneness. Remove the patties from the grill and rest them on a platter for 5 to 10 minutes.
7. To finish your burgers, slather both sides of the buns with the sauce, add the patties, top with Gimme The Loot Spicy Candied Bacon (see directions below), tomato, lettuce, more sauce and other toppings like onions or pickles, if desired. Serve with sides of choice. We love oven-baked potatoes and macaroni salad.

Gimme the Loot Spicy Candied Bacon Directions

This recipe calls for a whole package of bacon, but you only need a few strips for the burgers. Save the rest for snacking or other uses like next-level bacon bits for your salad. 

1. Lay the bacon strips evenly on a wire rack. Season one side with half of the Loot N' Booty BBQ Gimme The Loot Spicy Maple Pecan Rub. Flip the strips and season the other side with the remaining rub.
2. Prepare your grill for indirect cooking. Adjust the vents and allow the temp to come up to about 275 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
3. About 15 minutes before you put the bacon on the grill, add 1 to 2 small maple wood chunks directly onto your hot coals. Close the lid.
4. When the grill is ready, place the entire rack of bacon on the indirect side over a drip pan. Close the lid and open the vents.
5. After about 15 minutes, rotate the rack and flip the bacon strips if they are getting too dark.
6. Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes until the fat caramelizes.
7. Remove the rack from the grill and rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.