Chef John's Grilled Bacon Meatloaf Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 large egg , beaten
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons onion powder
• 0.25 teaspoons garlic powder
• pinch dried thyme
• cayenne pepper to taste
• 0.25 cups plain bread crumbs
• 0.67 cups chopped cooked bacon
• 1 pound ground chuck beef , 85% lean

Instructions

1. 1

   Whisk egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl. Add breadcrumbs and chopped cooked bacon. Crumble in the ground beef. Mix with your fingers until bacon and breadcrumbs are distributed evenly.

2. 2

   Form mixture into 4 burgers with your wet hands. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled thoroughly, about 3 hours.

3. 3

   Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

4. 4

   Place burgers on the grate and cook, turing occasionally, until firm and cooked to your desired doneness. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read between 145 and 150 degrees F (63 degrees C). Let burgers rest for a few minutes before serving.