Today is National Cheeseburger Day! {No, I am not making that up-don’t you love food holidays?!} So to celebrate I am sharing one of my favorite burger recipes with y’all:

Inside Out Whiskey BBQ Bacon Cheese Burgers topped with Mac and Cheese.

My grilled burgers are stuffed with cheese and bacon then glazed with homemade Honey Whiskey BBQ Sauce and finally topped with a scoop of Mac and Cheese {and some more BBQ sauce for good measure!}. These messy but good burgers are a family favorite and I love grillin’ them up with my husband and Dad!

Tip: To save time use premade Mac and Cheese and store bought BBQ Sauce!

Print Recipe

Inside Out Honey Whiskey BBQ Bacon Cheese Burgers topped with Mac and Cheese

Makes two 1/2 lb burgers

Ingredients

For the burgers:

1/2 lb ground chuck
1/2 lb ground brisket
2 slices thick cut bacon
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 brioche buns buttered and toasted
1 cup macaroni and cheese
Honey Whiskey Barbecue Sauce recipe below
salt/pepper to taste
cooking spray

For the Honey Whiskey BBQ Sauce:

1 small yellow onion chopped
4 garlic cloves peeled and smashed
15 oz tomato sauce
3 tbsp honey
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup Worcestershire
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp hot sauce
1-2 tbsp tomato paste depending on how thick you want the sauce
3/4 cup Whiskey I use Maker's Mark or Jack Daniels
salt/black pepper

Instructions

For the burgers:

Cook bacon on both sides in a skillet until partial cooked, not crisp.
Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
Chop bacon into pieces and set aside.
Form two 1/2 lb burger patties using 60% chuck and 40% brisket.
Make a well in the center of patties and add bacon pieces.
Top with 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
Mold the burger meat to cover the cheese and bacon.
Brush both burgers with some Honey Whiskey BBQ Sauce and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
Place on a heated grill and cook to desired temp.
Remove from grill, let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Place burger patty on a split toasted brioche bun, top with a heaping mound of macaroni and cheese, a healthy drizzle of warm BBQ sauce, and the top bun.
Serve immediately with lots of napkins and enjoy!

For the Honey Whiskey BBQ Sauce:

Add onions, garlic, and whiskey to a pot over medium heat.
Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
Cook for about 10 minutes until onions have softened.
Meanwhile mix all remaining ingredients in a bowl and whisk until well combined.
Add mixture to the pot with the onions, stir, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Pour the sauce into a strainer inside of a large bowl.
Remove and discard the onions and garlic.
Serve warm and refrigerate the leftover sauce.