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If you’re craving a bold, juicy burger with serious flavor, these smoked cheddar bacon stuffed burgers are a must-try. They’re filled with melty cheddar and smoky bacon then slow-smoked to lock in all that rich, savory goodness. Whether you’re hosting a cookout or just want a weekend treat, these burgers bring that smoky BBQ flavor home. They’re satisfying, crowd-pleasing and easier to make than you’d expect with just a few simple steps.
These smoked cheddar bacon stuffed burgers are packed with cheese and smoky flavor. They’re perfect for backyard BBQs or any time you want a next-level burger.
Also try cheeseburger tacos, taco stuffed sweet potatoes, seared steak nachos, cowboy sliders, and homemade jerky.
Why You’ll Love It
Rich and savory: Every bite is packed with bold, smoky goodness.
Great for grilling season: These are a hit at cookouts and BBQs.
Hearty and filling: Bacon and cheese make these burgers extra satisfying.
Impressive but easy: They look gourmet, but they’re surprisingly simple.
Stuffed Smoked Burger Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ground beef: A rich, juicy base that holds up well to smoking.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds a deep umami flavor that enhances the beef.
Bacon: Cooked and crumbled, it adds smoky, savory crunch.
Spices and aromatics: Salt, black pepper, garlic, paprika, and onion infuse the patties with flavor.
Cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully for a gooey, cheesy center.
Hamburger buns: A soft and sturdy base for serving your burgers.
How to Make Smoked Bacon Stuffed Burgers
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prep the bacon and cheese: Cook, crumble and shred.
Mix the patties: Combine beef, seasoning and aromatics, then shape.
Stuff the burgers: Fill with bacon and cheese, then seal.
Smoke the patties: Place on the smoker and cook until done.
Toast the buns: Grill the buns briefly toward the end.
Assemble and serve: Add toppings and enjoy hot.
Substitutions and Variations
Swap the cheese: Try smoked gouda or pepper jack instead of cheddar.
Use turkey or chicken: For a leaner version, substitute ground turkey or chicken.
Make it spicier: Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mix.
Add herbs: Fresh parsley or chives can brighten up the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
With side dishes: Serve these burgers with air fryer onion rings, smoked potato salad or a Caprese pasta salad for a full meal. For a fun twist, try a side of polenta fries or sweet potato wedges. These hearty burgers also pair well with spicy dill pickles.
To drink: Cool off with a fruity drink like sparkling strawberry lemonade or a refreshing watermelon jalapeno margarita.
How to Store Bacon Stuffed Cheeseburgers
Store: Leftover patties will keep for a few days in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Freeze: You can freeze the burger patties but I wouldn’t recommend freezing the assembled burgers in the buns because the bread and salad would go mushy. Freeze the patties for up to a month.
Thaw: Defrost your patties overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat the burger patties in a foil-covered baking dish in a 350°F oven for about 7 minutes or in a splash of oil in a skillet. Reheat the buns separately.
Top Tips
Don’t overmix the beef: This keeps the patties tender.
Seal the patties well: To prevent cheese from leaking during smoking.
Use a meat thermometer: Ensure they reach a safe internal temperature.
Let them rest: Resting helps retain juices before serving.
Smoked Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Burger FAQs
Just because you don’t have a smoker (or you don’t want to wait 2½ hours to eat) doesn’t mean these smoked burgers aren’t possible. The stuffed burgers will take about 4 minutes per side in a griddle or skillet or cook as usual on your regular grill. You might want to add a few drops of liquid smoke to the patty mixture so you still get that smoked cheddar bacon stuffed burgers aroma and flavour.
Each type of wood chip will impart different flavours to the meat, so it is up to your personal preference on this. Some popular woods for smoking burgers include hickory, oak, mesquite, and applewood. Hickory is has a strong, smoky flavour and is often used for beef and pork. Applewood is milder and often preferred with chicken or turkey burgers.
When it comes to flipping the burgers, you can close the lid and let them cook without flipping. If you were to flip them, I would suggest to only flip once in the middle of the cook time.
Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Burgers Recipe
Smoked Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Burgers
Equipment
- Metal Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Pound bacon
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 1 Teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Teaspoon garlic, fresh, minced
- 1 Teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ white onion, minced
- 8 Ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 burger buns
Instructions
- Cook bacon and crumble, set aside in a small bowl. Shred the cheese and set aside in a small bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and onion. Mix well to combine and form into 12 thin patties (about ¼-inch thick). You can use your hands to do this.
- Preheat smoker to 200°F for 15 minutes.
- Arrange 6 patties on a cutting board. Press lightly to form a slight indent in the center. Fill each center with about 2 Tablespoons of crumbled bacon and shredded cheese. Then, top each with remaining patties. Pinch the edges to seal.
- Place patties directly onto the grill grate and close the lid. Smoke for 2 ½ hours or until internal temperature hits 165°F.
- Place burger buns onto grill grates for 10 minutes towards the end of cooking time.
- Assemble the burgers and add your favorite toppings.
Notes
Seal the patties well: To prevent cheese from leaking during smoking.
Use a meat thermometer: Ensure they reach a safe internal temperature.
Let them rest: Resting helps retain juices before serving.
Nutrition
Smoked cheddar bacon stuffed burgers are the ultimate backyard BBQ centerpiece. Each burger is packed with smoky bacon, gooey cheddar and savory beef, all wrapped in a soft, toasted bun. Whether you’re serving them at a summer gathering or treating yourself to a cozy weekend meal, these burgers are guaranteed to hit the spot. With simple prep and unbeatable flavor, these smoked hamburgers are well worth making all year long.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These were a total hit at our weekend cookout! Everyone was amazed when they bit into the burger and found that gooey cheddar and smoky bacon inside. The flavor from the grill added such a nice touch.
Just made this for lunch, and it was the best decision ever! Yum!
Made these smoked cheddar bacon stuffed burgers and they were a hit! Juicy, flavorful, and fun to make—perfect for BBQs!
I tried this burger recipe, and it was honestly the best burger I’ve had. And I’ve eaten many burgers in my lifetime, lol.
The smoked cheddar adds a beautiful flavor profile. Best burger ever!