For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon relish
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Patties:
- In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Avoid overmixing to ensure the patties remain tender.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form each into a patty slightly larger than your buns, as they will shrink during cooking. Make a small indentation in the center of each patty to prevent it from puffing up as it cooks.
- Place the patties on a plate and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up.
2. Cooking the Bacon:
- While the patties are chilling, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve the bacon fat in the skillet for cooking the burger patties.
3. Preparing the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Set aside.
4. Grilling the Patties:
- Remove the patties from the refrigerator. Heat the skillet with the reserved bacon fat over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burger patties. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side until a crust forms.
- Flip the patties, and immediately place a slice of cheese on each. Cook for another 3 minutes for medium-rare or longer until your desired doneness. Remove the patties from the skillet and let them rest on a plate.
