The Ultimate 4th of July Bacon Cheeseburger
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: July 4, 2015

No one can turn down a juicy bacon cheeseburger, especially when it is done right. These homemade bacon cheeseburgers are one of the best I have.  The patties are mildly flavored with fresh parsley, garlic and onion powder.  The bacon is made in the oven to avoid the mess and danger of splattering pork fat.  Once the burgers are cooked, all you need to do is assemble them.
Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburgers
	Ingredients:
For the patties:
	2 garlic cloves, finely minced
	2 lbs ground beef
	1/4 cup Italian flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
	1 tsp onion powder
	1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
	1 egg, beaten
	1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
	kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
	For the burgers:
	8 slices applewood smoked bacon
	1 onion, thinly sliced
	1 avocado, thinly sliced
	1 tomato, thinly sliced
	1 head lettuce
	sesame seed buns
	sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
	condiments (mayonnaise, mustard, barbecue sauce, ketchup etc...)
	Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 435 degrees Fahrenheit.
	Step 2: Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil. Place the bacon on pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the bacon is to you desired crispness.
	Step 3: Drain on paper towels and set aside.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are combined. Be careful not to mix too much or else your burgers will be tough. Place an indentation in the middle of each patty to prevent it from bulging when cooking. 
Step 5: Preheat the grill.  When hot, add the patties and cook until desired doneness, flipping only once.  30 seconds before you plan to remove them, add a slice of cheese to melt.
Step 6: Serve the patties on sesame buns with bacon, your favorite burger patties and condiments.