A Cowboy Burger may cause you to unhinge your jaw – This mammoth burger is full of spicy smokey flavors and piled high with bacon and onion rings for an incredible burger you won’t soon forget!
These spicy burgers are seasoned with Cowboy Steak Rub, then slathered with tangy BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection. After that, they’re topped with cheese, bacon and onion rings!
PIN FOR LATER
This post is part of a kick-butt burger grill giveaway hosted by GirlCarnivore but the burger awesomeness is all my own. #sponsored #Girlcarnivore #BurgerMonth #cabotupyourburger
A big burger needs big bold flavors. That’s why this giant Cowboy Burger starts with some spicy shredded cheese mixed right into the ground beef before grilling. Then we add our Cowboy Steak Rub with a mixture of seasonings and spices light cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, ground coffee and garlic bring the heat and smokiness.Loading on the bacon and onion rings puts this baby over the top, don’t you think?
Shopping List
Here’s what you will need for this recipe:
- Cowboy Steak Rub
- ground beef
- spicy shredded cheese such as Cabot Fiery Jack
- Worcestershire sauce
- BBQ sauce (I love using this BBQ Sauce recipe, but store bought will do also)
- cheddar cheese
- bacon
- onion rings
You Might Also Need:
Some of the items below contain affiliate links; I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I am also an affiliate for other programs. However, I only promote things that I love and think you will love, too. For more information, please see our Disclosure Policy.
For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.
Why do burger patties shrink when cooking?
It’s not just ground beef, all meat shrinks in size and weight during cooking. How much your meat shrinks depends on a number of factors including fat and moisture content, the temperature at which the meat is cooked, and how long it is cooked. Cooking hamburgers at moderate temperatures not only helps to reduce shrinkage but also retains juices and flavor better.
How to grill Cowboy Burgers:
- Start by frying the bacon until crispy, then set aside on paper towels.
-
Preheat the grill to medium-high.
- Add 1 cup Cabot Shredded Fiery Jack or Pepper Jack cheese to the ground beef.
-
Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and form into patties – I used a
burger press to get uniform patties.
- Sprinkle the Cowboy Steak Rub on both sides of the burgers, about 1/4 teaspoon per side.
- After that, sprinkle the burgers with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire on each side.
-
Place the burgers on the grill and brush with the BBQ sauce. Cook for 4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, start cooking your onion rings. I love my
air fryer for this.
-
Flip the burger and brush the other side with BBQ sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes for medium.
-
Add the slices of cheese on top of the burgers. Close the lid and let them the cheese melt, about 2-3 minutes.
-
Remove from the grill onto buns.
-
Top with onion rings, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and additional BBQ sauce.
How long do I cook burgers?
Weber iGrill Mini because it’s super easy to use.- Rare: 6 minutes
- Medium rare: 7 minutes
- Medium: 8 minutes
- Medium-well: 9 minutes
- Well-done: 11 minutes
What to serve with Cowboy Burgers:
These delicious sides can be prepped or fully made ahead of time and will be a great compliment to the burgers:
- Popular Cowboy Caviar or our Corn and Avacado Salsa are both super easy and can be scooped up with chips or served as a side dish.
- You can also make up a big bowl of Grilled Corn Salad the day before.
- Our Rainbow Veggie Kabobs are simple to put together and are as delicious as they are beautiful.
- Greek Quinoa Grilled Zucchini Boats are full of flavor and easy to make in about 30 minutes.
Amazing Cowboy Burger
With spicy shredded cheese incorporated into the ground beef and our Cowboy Steak Rub for added kick, they burgers are perfect for those that like the heat! If you love this yummy burger, please give it 5 stars!
Cowboy Burger
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef I use 85% or 90% lean
- 1/2 cup Cabot Firey Jack Cheese Shreds
- 2 tablespoons Cowboy Steak Rub
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 burger buns
- salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings
- lettuce
- tomatoes, sliced
- 8 strips cooked bacon
- frozen onion rings
Instructions
- Start by frying the bacon until crispy, then set aside on paper towels.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high.
- Add 1/2 cup Cabot Shredded Fiery Jack or Pepper Jack cheese to the ground beef. Do not over mix.
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and form into patties.
- Then, sprinkle the Cowboy Steak Rub on both sides of the burgers, about 1/4 teaspoon per side.
- After that, sprinkle the burgers with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire on each side.
- Place the burgers on the grill and brush with the BBQ sauce. Cook for 4 minutes.
- Flip the burger and brush the other side with BBQ sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes for medium.
- Meanwhile, start cooking your onion rings. I love my air fryer for this.
- Add the slices of cheese on top of the burgers. Close the lid and let them the cheese melt, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the grill onto buns. Top with shredded firey jack cheese, onion rings, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and additional BBQ sauce.
Notes
Cowboy Steak Rub Recipe
Get the full recipe for Cowboy Steak Rub here.Cooking Tip:
Cooking hamburgers at moderate temperatures not only helps to reduce shrinkage but also retains juices and flavor better.How long should I cook my burgers?
- Rare: 6 minutes
- Medium rare: 7 minutes
- Medium: 8 minutes
- Medium-well: 9 minutes
- Well-done: 11 minutes
Nutrition
Ann from Sumptuous Spoonfuls says
May 23, 2019 at 6:07 pmMmmm yes please! I love the extra kick you gave the burger by mixing spicy cheese right into the burger mix! Awesome idea.
Ang Paris says
May 23, 2019 at 8:58 pmOh gosh, it’s SO good with the cheese!
Thanks for stopping by Ann 🙂
Sarah says
May 23, 2019 at 8:26 pmI need to make this ASAP. Seriously looks so amazing.
Ang Paris says
May 23, 2019 at 8:57 pmThanks Sarah 🙂 It’s pretty darn tasty!
Wendi Haught says
May 24, 2019 at 9:06 amLove the cheese in the burger mix!! And the side dish recommendations you’ve included look fantastic — will want to try them all, too!
Ang Paris says
May 27, 2019 at 10:12 amHey Wendy! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This is definitely an amazing burger. I hope you get a chance to try it soon!
Jenni says
May 25, 2019 at 1:14 amWhat a fantastic burger! And that steak rub sounds like magic in a jar. Pinning that guy, too!
Ang Paris says
May 27, 2019 at 9:57 amOh you’ll love that rub, it’s incredible! Super versatile too 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by Jenni!
Laura says
May 25, 2019 at 8:23 pmThis looks crazy good! I’m all about the onion rings, too! Love them in my burger!
Ang Paris says
May 27, 2019 at 10:11 amRight?! They just add such a great flavor and texture to a burger 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting Laura.
Shelby says
June 1, 2019 at 8:47 amThis looks so delicious! I love a burger like this. Crispy Onion Rings and BBQ Sauce are awesome on a burger!
Gwynn says
June 1, 2019 at 5:36 pmBacon makes everything better so count me in!
Ang Paris says
June 4, 2019 at 9:46 amSo true! Thanks for stopping by Gwynn!
Christie Campbell says
June 1, 2019 at 5:37 pmThose onion rings, that sauce, these burgers! They all look amazing together.