Old School Meets New -- Cheesy, Onion, Spicy, BBQ Burger

I call this "Old School" vs "New School" because I use old classic cooking flavors, with some new flavors to make a great burger. Lipton Onion Soup ... yes the classic, then crisp iceberg lettuce (iceberg is a must), frozen onion rings, now make your own if you want - but I cheat and just buy them (Ore Ida). Sharp aged cheddar cheese (if possible, right from the deli), and a jalapeno, BBQ, bacon mayo. And please, get a good burger roll, don't get those skimpy pre-packaged rolls. This recipe will make 8 nice size burgers so you can always cut this in half if you want. It is a great recipe. Serve with chips, dill pickles, potato salad, macaroni salad ... any of your favorites.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 8 Burgers

Ingredients

• Burger

• 2  lbs ground beef
• 1 (2 ounce) package  Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 2  tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 8  rolls (I like to use a hearty kaiser roll, but use your favorite)
• 1  tablespoon olive oil

• Garnish

•  iceberg lettuce
• 8  slices cheddar cheese (I use an aged sliced cheddar, I just get exactly what I need right from the deli and ask them to sli)
• 24  onion rings (3 per burger, I used a bag of frozen Ore Ida brand frozen fried onion rings and cooked according to )

• Mayo

• 6  tablespoons mayonnaise (no Miracle Whip)
• 2  jalapenos, ribs and seeds removed and fine chopped (use one if you don't like heat)
• 2  tablespoons barbecue sauce (any brand, just plain)
• 1⁄4 cup bacon, fine chopped (after it is cooked)

Directions

1. Bacon -- A couple of options for approximately 4-5 slices of bacon. You can either dice and pan saute until golden brown and then let drain on a plate lined with a paper towel; you can oven bake, even buy pre-cooked bacon and then just dice. For that matter, you can buy a bag of real bacon bits cooked and diced. But my favorite is to cook mine on a paper plate lined with a paper towel and topped with a paper towel and cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes until crisp -- You get the idea. 1/4 cup crispy chopped bacon bits. Use what you like best.
2. Burgers -- Make these first. I actually like to freeze mine for a short period. It just firms them up and makes it easy to grill. In a medium size bowl, add the worcestershire, lipton onion soup and water and mix well. Add in the beef and mix (using your hands). Don't over mix. Over mixing can make the burgers tough. Form into 8 patties. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Freeze for about 15-30 minutes. It just firms them up and makes it easier to grill.
3. Mayo Dressing -- Burgers are chilling, make the mayo dressing. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, bacon bits (whatever way you made the bacon), BBQ sauce (any brand), and jalapenos. Cover and refrigerate.
4. Onion Rings -- Now I cheat - I admit. I hate making them, but if you want to make your own, GO FOR IT! If not, I use frozen Ore Ida rings, just set on the cookie sheet in the oven (follow pkg directions) and bake. Mine took approximately 15 minutes. I started the burgers about half way through cooking the onions so they all came out about the same time. I planned on 3 rings per burger which was about right.
5. Grilling -- I use a outdoor grill, but an indoor grill pan would also work great. If not, a large saute pan will be fine. I heat the grill or pan to medium heat drizzled or brushed with the olive oil.
6. With your thumb, push in the center of the burger to make an indentation, not all the way through, but a nice indentation. This will prevent the burger from "puffing" up. Grill on side one until golden brown with good grill marks and flip. Finish grilling the burger until medium well or the desired doneness you prefer. I like medium well for burgers. The last minute, add the cheese, cover and remove from the heat. One minute later - the cheese will be melted and you will have the perfect burger.
7. Rolls -- The last few seconds I put the rolls on the grill for a light toast. Just a few seconds.
8. Burgers -- Slather a little of the BBQ mayo of each side of the rolls, top with a burger, cheese, onion rings, lettuce and the top roll.
9. Serve -- Just ENJOY!