Copycat Recipe: Carl’S Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger
Bring fast food flavor home with this crave-worthy Copycat Western Bacon Cheeseburger—just like the one from Carl’s Jr., but even better. This burger stacks up with a juicy grilled beef patty, crispy bacon, melty American cheese, golden onion rings, and a generous slather of smoky barbecue sauce—all tucked inside a toasted sesame seed bun. Every bite delivers that signature sweet, salty, crispy combo you know and love. Perfect for cookouts, game days, or satisfying those big burger cravings at home.
Copycat Recipe: Carl’s Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger
Carl's Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger is a flavorful and satisfying burger featuring a juicy beef patty, crispy bacon, melted American cheese, tangy BBQ sauce, and crunchy onion rings, all served on a toasted sesame seed bun. It's a classic for a reason!
Ingredients
¼ Cup Milk whole- 1 Large Egg
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper to taste
- ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- ¾ Cup Breadcrumbs Panko preffered
- 1 Canola Oil for frying
- 1 Large Yellow Onion
- 8 slices Bacon thick cut and hardwood smoked
- 1 lb Ground Beef divide into 4 patties
- 4 Slices American Cheese
- 1 BBQ Sauce Bull's-Eye Hickory Smoke barbecue sauce
- 4 Sesame Seed Buns
Method
- Grab a shallow bowl. Pour in the milk, crack in the egg, and add the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk all the ingredients together until they are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.¼ Cup Milk, 1 Large Egg, 1 tsp Smoked Paprika, ½ tsp Garlic Powder, ½ tsp Onion Powder, 1 tsp Kosher Salt, 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- In a separate shallow bowl, combine the cornstarch and flour. Whisk until they are fully incorporated and there are no lumps.½ Cup All-Purpose Flour, 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- Pour the breadcrumbs into a shallow bowl.¾ Cup Breadcrumbs
- It's important to use a heavy-bottomed pot for frying. Fill the pot with about 3 inches of oil and place it on the stove over medium heat. Heat the oil to 375 degrees F. Make sure to use a thermometer to monitor the temperature carefully. While the oil heats up, preheat your oven to 225 degrees F.1 Canola Oil
- Slice the onion into ¼-inch rings. Give the onion rings a quick rinse under cold water. Now it's time to coat the onions: First, toss them in the flour mixture until they are completely covered. Next, dip each ring into the egg mixture, making sure it's fully coated. Finally, dredge the onion rings in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help the breadcrumbs stick.1 Large Yellow Onion
- Working in batches, carefully add the breaded onion rings to the hot oil. Fry the onion rings until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. This should take about 3-4 minutes per batch. Once cooked, transfer the onion rings to a baking sheet lined with a wire rack. Keep the onion rings warm in the preheated oven while you fry the remaining batches.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, arrange the bacon strips in a single layer. Cook them over medium-high heat until they reach your desired level of crispiness, flipping them halfway through. This should take about 4 minutes total. Be careful not to burn the bacon. Once cooked, remove the bacon strips from the skillet and place them on the baking sheet with the onion rings. Keep both warm in the oven while you prepare the burgers.8 slices Bacon
- Once the bacon is cooked, carefully wipe out any excess grease from the skillet using a paper towel. Return the skillet to the stovetop and set it over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of oil to the skillet and heat until the oil is shimmering and hot. While the oil heats up, season your hamburger patties generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the patties in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd them.1 lb Ground Beef
- Cook the burgers for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they develop a delicious crust on the outside and reach your preferred level of doneness on the inside. After flipping the burgers for the first time, top each patty with a slice of American cheese, allowing it to melt slightly as the burgers finish cooking.4 Slices American Cheese
- To assemble the Western Bacon Cheeseburgers, start by spreading a generous amount of BBQ sauce on the cut sides of both the top and bottom halves of the sesame seed buns. Next, place two crispy onion rings on the bottom bun. Add the cooked cheeseburger patty, topped with melted American cheese, followed by two strips of crispy bacon. Place the top bun on the burger and serve immediately.1 BBQ Sauce, 4 Sesame Seed Buns
Nutrition
Notes
Ingredients:
- Beef: Use 80/20 ground chuck for juicy and flavorful burgers.
- Bacon: Choose thick-cut bacon for the best texture and flavor.
- Cheese: American cheese is classic, but you can experiment with cheddar or pepper jack.
- BBQ Sauce: Bull's-Eye Hickory Smoke is a close match to the Carl's Jr. sauce.
- Onion Rings: Use thick-cut onion rings for a satisfying crunch. You can use store-bought or make your own.
- Buns: Sesame seed buns are traditional. Toasting the buns adds flavor and texture.
- Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy but not burnt. You can cook it in a skillet, oven, or air fryer.
- Onion Rings: If using store-bought onion rings, follow the package directions for cooking. If making your own, use a batter with cornstarch for extra crispiness.
- Burger Patties: Don't overwork the ground beef when forming the patties. Make an indentation in the center of each patty to prevent them from plumping up too much while cooking.
- Seasoning: Season the patties generously with salt and pepper before cooking.
- Cooking Temperature: Cook the burgers over medium-high heat to achieve a good sear.
- Cheese: Add the cheese to the patties in the last minute of cooking to allow it to melt.
- Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the burgers are cooked to your desired doneness.
- Assembly: Spread the BBQ sauce on both halves of the bun. Don't forget the onion rings and bacon!
- Sides: Serve with classic sides like fries, onion rings, or a side salad.
- Drinks: A cold soda or milkshake is the perfect pairing.
- Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger: Use two patties and two slices of cheese for a double.
- Spicy: Add a slice of jalapeño or some hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Deluxe: Add lettuce, tomato, and onion for a deluxe version.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Ingredients
Ingredients:
For the Onion Rings:
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs (Panko preferred)
- Canola oil for frying
- 1 large yellow onion
For the Burgers:
- 8 slices bacon, thick-cut and hardwood smoked
- 1 lb ground beef, divided into 4 patties
- 4 slices American cheese
- BBQ sauce (Bull’s-Eye Hickory Smoke barbecue sauce recommended)
- 4 sesame seed buns
Image Gallery Copycat Recipe: Carl’s Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger
Storage & Leftovers
Storage:
Refrigerator:
Store assembled or individual components in airtight containers for up to 3 days. For best results, store buns, patties, bacon, onion rings, and sauce separately to preserve texture.Freezer:
Freeze cooked burger patties individually wrapped for up to 2 months. Bacon and onion rings can also be frozen separately, but may lose some crispness when reheated.
Reheating:
Burger Patty:
Reheat on a skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.Bacon & Onion Rings:
Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 375°F for about 5–7 minutes to bring back crispiness. Avoid microwaving these if possible—they’ll go soggy.Bun:
Toast lightly in a dry skillet or oven for best texture. Add BBQ sauce after reheating to keep it fresh and saucy.
Pro Tips:
For a next-day burger that still hits hard, reassemble freshly heated parts just before serving.
Use parchment paper to wrap and warm in foil if reheating a fully assembled burger in the oven—this keeps it moist without going soggy.
Table of Contents
Please follow and like us:
197
120
20
20
0 Comments