Bacon Jam Smash Burgers with Crispy Onion Strings

The Ultimate Campground Burger Upgrade

If you’re going to fire up the grill, make it worth it. These Bacon Jam Smash Burgers combine juicy, crispy-edged beef patties, sweet and smoky bacon jam, melty cheddar cheese, and crunchy onion strings piled high on a toasted brioche bun. It’s everything you love about a classic burger—just turned all the way up.

Ingredients

For the Bacon Jam

• 1 lb thick-cut bacon, diced
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Crispy Onion Strings

• 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

For the Burgers

• 2 lbs 80/20 ground beef
• Salt and black pepper
• 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 brioche buns
• Butter for toasting buns

Directions

1️⃣ Make the Bacon Jam

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.

Remove bacon, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.

Add onions and cook low and slow for 20-25 minutes until deeply caramelized.

Stir in brown sugar, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, black pepper, and reserved bacon.

Cook another 5 minutes until thick and jammy.

Set aside.

2️⃣ Make the Onion Strings

Soak sliced onions in buttermilk for 15 minutes.

In a bowl combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Heat oil to 350°F.

Dredge onions in flour mixture and fry until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels and lightly season with salt.

3️⃣ Smash the Burgers

Divide beef into 8 loosely packed balls.

Heat a cast iron griddle or flat-top over high heat.

Place beef balls on hot surface and smash thin with a burger press or sturdy spatula.

Season generously with salt and pepper.

Cook 2-3 minutes until edges become crispy.

Flip and immediately top with cheddar cheese.

Cook another minute until cheese melts.

Stack two patties per burger.

4️⃣ Toast the Buns

Butter brioche buns and toast until golden.

5️⃣ Build the Burger

Bottom bun.

Double smash patties.

Big spoonful of bacon jam.

Pile of crispy onion strings.

Top bun.

Prepare to make a glorious mess.

 RVD Signature Twists

Campfire BBQ Edition

Add smoky barbecue sauce and pepper jack cheese.

Sweet Heat Burger

Mix diced jalapeños into the bacon jam.

Beer Cheese Upgrade

Swap cheddar for homemade beer cheese sauce.

Double Bacon Madness

Add extra crispy bacon strips in addition to the jam.

Breakfast Burger

Top with a fried egg and serve for brunch.

RV-Friendly Notes

✔ Great Blackstone recipe

✔ Bacon jam can be made ahead

✔ Perfect campground cookout meal

✔ Easy to scale up for guests

✔ Impresses everyone around the picnic table

Estimated Nutrition

Per Burger

• Calories: ~920
• Protein: 46g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fat: 58g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 12g

Why RVers Love It

Because sometimes a regular burger just won’t do. The combination of crispy-edged smash patties, smoky bacon jam, and crunchy onion strings creates the kind of burger people talk about long after the campground weekend is over.