Mississippi Blue Cheese Burgers with Crispy Bacon

Introduction

Nothing beats a juicy Mississippi Blue Cheese Burger grilled to perfection on the Arteflame. These burgers are seared at 1,000°F for the ultimate crust, then finished on the griddle cooktop to lock in the juices. Topped with tangy blue cheese and crispy bacon, this burger is packed with bold flavors that will make your cookout unforgettable.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 4 burger buns
• 4 oz Mississippi blue cheese, crumbled
• 8 slices bacon, crispy
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking)
• Barbecue sauce (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins and place them in the grill.
2. Stack firewood on top of the soaked napkins.
3. Light the napkins and allow the fire to build. The grill will be ready in about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Form the burger patties

1. In a bowl, mix the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
2. Form into 4 even burger patties, about ¾-inch thick.
3. Make a small indentation in the center of each patty to prevent puffing up when cooking.

Step 3: Cook the bacon

1. Place the bacon strips on the outer griddle of the Arteflame grill.
2. Cook until crispy, flipping occasionally, then set aside.

Step 4: Sear the burger patties

1. Place the patties on the center grill grate over the high-heat zone.
2. Sear for about 2 minutes per side until a golden crust forms.

Step 5: Finish cooking on the griddle

1. Move the seared patties onto the flat cooktop.
2. Cook to desired doneness, about 3-5 minutes per side.
3. Remove from the grill when internal temperature is 15°F below the target temperature.

Step 6: Toast the burger buns

1. Spread butter on the burger buns and place them on the flat cooktop.
2. Toast until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 7: Assemble the burgers

1. Place a lettuce leaf on each bottom bun.
2. Add the grilled burger patty.
3. Top with crumbled Mississippi blue cheese.
4. Place crispy bacon strips over the cheese.
5. Add a few slices of red onion.
6. Drizzle with barbecue sauce if desired.
7. Top with the other half of the bun and serve hot.

Tips

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of your burgers.
• Let the burgers rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
• For extra flavor, brush the burger patties with melted butter before grilling.
• Keep toppings fresh and simple to let the blue cheese and smoky bacon shine.
• Grill burgers in batches if needed—there’s plenty of space on the Arteflame.

Variations

1. Spicy Mississippi Burger: Add sliced jalapeños and drizzle with spicy sriracha mayo.
2. BBQ Bourbon Burger: Glaze patties with bourbon barbecue sauce before serving.
3. Southern Pimento Burger: Swap blue cheese for pimento cheese for a rich southern twist.
4. Blackened Cajun Burger: Coat patties in Cajun seasoning and serve with remoulade sauce.
5. Mushroom Swiss Burger: Grill onions and mushrooms on the griddle and top with Swiss cheese instead of blue cheese.

Best pairings

• Grilled sweet potato fries
• Southern-style coleslaw
• Classic potato salad
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Ice-cold craft beer

Conclusion

Grilling Mississippi Blue Cheese Burgers on the Arteflame will take your burger game to the next level. With perfectly seared patties, creamy blue cheese, and crispy bacon, every bite is bursting with bold flavors. Fire up your Arteflame and enjoy the ultimate burger experience!