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Close-up of a bacon cheddar burger wrapped in parchment, featuring a sesame seed bun, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and caramelized tomato onion jam.
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Cheddar Bacon Burgers with Tomato Jam

Juicy, smoky, cheesy, and packed with tangy-sweet tomato onion jam, these burgers are a major upgrade from your usual backyard cookout. They're hearty, flavorful, and totally restaurant-worthy—no fancy tools or ingredients required.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers
Calories: 1087kcal
Author: Nicole Gaffney

Ingredients

For the Tomato Onion Jam

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large sweet onion such as Vidalia, Maui, or Walla Walla, very thinly sliced
  • 4 small-medium tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice from about ½ lemon
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1 pinch red chili flakes optional

For the Burgers

  • 8 slices bacon thick-sliced
  • 2 lbs ground beef freshly ground chuck or 80/20
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 slices sharp white cheddar
  • 4 soft hamburger buns large, with or without seeds

Instructions

Make the Tomato Onion Jam

  1. Heat the olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook slowly until they begin to lightly caramelize, about 15 minutes.
  2. Slice the tomatoes in half, squeeze out the seeds, and roughly chop.
  3. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan along with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, mustard powder, and chili flakes.
  4. Let the mixture simmer and cook down until it thickens, about 15–20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Turn off the heat and allow the jam to cool. Transfer to a jar or container.

Make the Burgers

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Arrange the bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake until crisp, about 15–20 minutes.
  3. Transfer to paper towels to drain and set aside.
  4. Divide the ground beef into 4 even portions. Gently shape each into a wide patty, making the center slightly thinner than the edges.
  5. Season both sides of the patties generously with salt and pepper.
  6. Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Cook the burgers until nicely charred on one side.
  7. Flip the burgers and top each with a slice of cheese. Close the grill (or cover the pan) to melt the cheese.
  8. Cook to your desired doneness—medium with a pink center is recommended.

Assemble and Serve

  1. Place each patty on a bun. Top with two slices of bacon and a generous smear of tomato onion jam.
  2. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Don’t overwork the beef when forming patties—it makes the texture tough.
  • The jam makes about 3 cups and keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks—perfect for burgers, grilled cheese, or even breakfast eggs.
  • Always toast the buns for extra texture and flavor.
  • Use a grill press or cover to help the cheese melt evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 1087kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 78g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 33g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 218mg | Sodium: 2011mg | Potassium: 1127mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1330IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 327mg | Iron: 7mg
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