If you’re craving a burger that’s bold, smoky, crispy, and unapologetically over-the-top, this is it. My Cowboy Burgers are the kind of meal that brings the flavor in every layer — juicy grilled patties, melty cheddar, crispy bacon, and golden fried onion rings stacked on toasted brioche buns. Top it all off with a smoky BBQ mayo that pulls everything together, and you’ve got a next-level burger that feels straight off a backyard grill — even if you’re cooking on a stovetop.
Saddle up for the flavor of these cowboy burgers! It will be the talk of the town as this burger is loaded with smoky, tangy, and juicy goodness. This ain’t your average cheeseburger recipe. If you plan to rustle up a burger, try these cowboy burgers that will ride into town like the show’s star. This is one of those recipes that looks like a restaurant-style burger but comes together with super basic ingredients and just 20-ish minutes in the kitchen. And once you make it once, you’ll be tempted to double the batch every time — they disappear that fast.
What Are These Cowboy Burgers?
Cowboy Burgers are classic American beef burgers with a smoky, sweet, and crispy twist. They start with juicy seasoned ground beef patties that get grilled or pan-cooked until perfectly done, then topped with cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and crunchy onion rings. What really sets them apart is the BBQ mayo sauce — a creamy, smoky blend of mayo, barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, paprika, and garlic powder — spread on soft brioche buns.
They’re hearty, crave-worthy, and built for anyone who likes their burger stacked high and loaded with flavor.
When to Serve
Cowboy Burgers are a hit for:
- Summer cookouts or family BBQs
- Game day spreads — serve slider-sized versions for a party
- Father’s Day dinners or birthdays
- Friday night “fun food” at home
- Any time you want to impress without a lot of work
They also work great for casual weeknight dinners when you want something that feels a little extra but still comes together quickly. Pair them with fries, chips, or a quick coleslaw and dinner’s done.
Why these are perfect for cookouts
These burgers hit all the texture and flavor notes — tender meat, melty cheese, crispy onion rings, and bacon in every bite. The sauce is smoky, tangy, and just a little sweet — and it takes less than a minute to mix up. I love that you don’t need a fancy grill to make them either — a grill pan or cast iron skillet works just fine.
And if you’ve got picky eaters at the table? You can totally customize them. Leave off the onion rings or skip the sauce if you need to — they’ll still be loaded with flavor.
Your friends and family will tip their hats in appreciation for the tasty burger you dished up for them. Leave those boots at the door and whip up this cowboy burger recipe!
You could pair your burgers with some salty chips, cucumber salad, coleslaw pasta, baked beans, or any of your favorite sides.
Why We Love This Burger (and Why You Will Too)
- Restaurant Quality: Skip the classic dry burger at home and give these gourmet-level burgers a try. Create a recipe that is just as good as ordering takeout.
- Rodeo of Flavor: Between the spices used, BBQ sauce, bacon, and all the cheese, it is like a flavor rodeo in your mouth!
- Easy to Make: The recipe requires little effort. Yes, you add a few more ingredients, but creating the ultimate burger recipe takes no time.
Ingredients Needed
Ground Beef: Start with a quality ground beef. I typically do an 80/20 so that you have juicy and flavorful meat.
Saucy: The secret ingredient is the sauce! Add BBQ sauce, mayo, Dijon mustard, paprika, and garlic powder. It’s tangy, smoky, and full of flavor.
Cheese: Cheddar cheese is going to bring a kick of cheese.
Buns: I used brioche buns, which are sweet and light. Any type of buns works to bind all the flavors together.
Bacon: Reach for thick, smoky bacon, which will complement the burger to a whole new level of tasty.
Onion Ring: Onion rings offer the halo of crunch to the cheeseburgers.
Lettuce and Tomatoes: Crisp lettuce and fresh sliced tomatoes are the perfect garnish.
Variations Of The Recipe
- Skip the beef and replace it with your favorite meat replacement option for a cowboy burger twist.
- To make the dish more fiery, add some jalapenos and/or pepper jack cheese to ramp up the spice.
- Fry up an egg and top the burger for a breakfast cowboy burger.
- Instead of bacon, grill a slice of ham and use that to replace the bacon.
- If you are not a fan of onion rings, leave them off. You can also do breaded jalapenos or a jalapeno popper for an added kick of flavor.
- Skip making the homemade sauce and try out your favorite condiments. I find the special sauce is what makes this burger stand out from the rest.
- You can use gluten-free bread if that is something you need for your dietary needs.
Storing And Freezing
Refrigerate any of the burgers you do not eat right away. Keep all the ingredients in their containers and store for 3-4 days. Once you go to assemble your burgers, heat up the meat and assemble the same way you would on day one.
If you store the burgers assembled already, they will become soggy, ruining their flavor.
You can also freeze the burgers for 3-4 months. Then, when ready to eat, thaw and then reheat and enjoy. Just don’t overcook the leftover burgers as it can dry them out pretty good.
Expert Tips for Making Burgers
Indenting the center of your burger with your thumb helps ensure that as the burgers cook, they do not swell up. They will rather slowly spread out and stay the size of a larger burger, as you would like.
If you over-mix the burgers and create a mess with them too much, they can become dense and heavy. Form the patties and then begin cooking.
To get the perfect melted cheese, add it to the burger for the last 30 seconds to a minute of cooking, cover with a pan, and then let it melt down.
I recommend toasting your buns, as it will help add texture and flavor. Brush with butter or oil and toast until golden brown.
Questions you might have
What kind of ground beef should I use?
An 80/20 ground chuck works best — enough fat for juicy burgers, but not so much that they fall apart. If you use leaner beef, keep an eye on the cooking time so they don’t dry out.
Can I make these on a grill instead of a pan?
Absolutely! These are great on a charcoal or gas grill. Just make sure to press the center of each patty with your thumb or knuckle before cooking — it helps them cook evenly without puffing up in the middle.
Can I use store-bought onion rings?
Yes — frozen onion rings work perfectly for this and save a ton of time. Just cook them until crispy before adding to the burgers.
What if I don’t have brioche buns?
Brioche adds that rich, slightly sweet flavor, but you can use any burger bun you like — potato rolls or sesame seed buns also work great.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prep the patties and sauce ahead of time and keep them chilled. Just cook everything fresh for the best texture. The assembled burgers are best eaten right away.
How do I store leftovers?
Wrap leftover cooked patties in foil or store in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for 3–4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer to keep the texture.
How do I know when the burgers are done?
Use a meat thermometer and check the thickest part of the patty — 160°F is the standard safe temp for ground beef. If you like them medium or medium-well, cook a bit less, but always use your best judgment.
Can I make these with turkey or plant-based patties?
Totally! Just adjust your cook time depending on the protein and follow the same steps for building the burger. The sauce and toppings work with any base.
Is there a leaner version of this recipe?
You can use leaner beef or even turkey for a leaner burger option. Just ensure you do not overcook the burgers and get them dry.
The best part about these Cowboy Burgers is how easy they are to customize. Don’t like tomato? Leave it off. Want extra sauce? Pile it on. Make it your own. The base recipe is strong enough to stand on its own, but it’s also flexible enough to fit whatever your family loves. Whether you’re feeding picky kids or burger snobs, this one delivers. And let’s be real — once you layer on the bacon and onion rings, everyone’s all in anyway.
Cowboy Burgers are the kind of meal that feels like a treat but comes together fast enough for any night of the week. They’re rich, smoky, and full of satisfying crunch — with just the right balance of creamy sauce and bold toppings. If you’re looking to step up burger night, this one’s a no-brainer. Fire up the pan, stack it high, and enjoy every messy, flavorful bite.
More Easy Dinner Ideas
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Pan Fried Tilapia
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Tik Tok Pizza Pasta Casserole
Cowboy Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup mayo
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 brioche buns
- 8 slices cooked bacon
- Onion rings
- Burger toppings such as lettuce and sliced tomato
Instructions
- Form 4 patties with the ground meat and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Use your knuckle to create an indentation in the center of each burger.
- Heat a grill pan over medium high heat and cook the patties for 5-6 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Place the cheese slices onto the patties and transfer to a plate covered with foil to rest while you prepare the sauce.
- In a small bowl mix together the mayo, BBQ sauce, paprika, Dijon mustard and garlic powder.
- Build your burgers! Spread mayo on each bun, add the burger, cooked onion rings, bacon, and your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
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