The Carl’s Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger is a fast-food icon, known for its hearty combination of savory flavors and satisfying textures. This copycat recipe aims to recreate that iconic burger experience in your own kitchen.

Here’s what makes this burger special:

Juicy Beef Patty: The foundation is a juicy beef patty, seasoned simply with salt and pepper to let the flavor of the beef shine through. It’s cooked to perfection, with a crispy outer crust and a tender, flavorful interior.
Crispy Bacon: Thick-cut bacon adds a smoky and salty crunch that complements the richness of the beef.
Melty Cheese: A slice of American cheese melts over the hot patty, adding a creamy and gooey layer of cheesy goodness.
Tangy BBQ Sauce: The signature element is a generous slathering of tangy BBQ sauce, reminiscent of Bull’s-Eye Hickory Smoke. It adds a smoky sweetness that balances the savory flavors.
Crunchy Onion Rings: Crispy onion rings provide a satisfying crunch and a hint of onion flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Toasted Sesame Seed Bun: A classic sesame seed bun holds it all together. Toasting the bun adds a subtle nutty flavor and a bit of texture.

Why this copycat works:

Authentic Flavors: This recipe uses ingredients and techniques that closely mimic the original Carl’s Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger.
Easy to Make: It’s a relatively simple recipe to follow, even for beginner cooks.
Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients and toppings to your liking, just like you would at Carl’s Jr.

If you’re craving the iconic flavors of the Carl’s Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger but don’t have a Carl’s Jr. nearby, this copycat recipe is the perfect solution. It’s a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy a fast-food favorite in the comfort of your own home.

History of Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger
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Carl's Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger (copycat)

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Course: Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Fast Food

Keyword: American, Carl's Jr, Copycat, Fast Food

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Servings: people

Calories: 744kcal

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!

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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

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Instructions

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

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.

Cooking Tips:

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!

Serving Suggestions:

Sides: Serve with classic sides like fries, onion rings, or a side salad.
Drinks: A cold soda or milkshake is the perfect pairing.

Variations:

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.

With these tips, you'll be able to create a delicious copycat Carl's Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger at home!

Psst... want to know a secret? It's rumored that the BBQ sauce used in the original Western Bacon Cheeseburger is Bull's-Eye Hickory Smoke. 😉 Give it a try and see if you can taste the difference!

Nutrition

List of 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

Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger breadcrumb

Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger oil heating also

Carl’s jr western bacon cheeseburger. Whisk in bowl 1

Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger burgers add cheese

Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger Cut Onions

Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger fry onions

Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger burgers

western bacon cheeseburger 1200

Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger cornstarch

Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger bacon

History of Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger

While Carl’s Jr. doesn’t widely publicize the specific origin story of the Western Bacon Cheeseburger, we can piece together some information about its history:

1980s Innovation:

A Decade of Change: The 1980s were a time of expansion and experimentation for Carl’s Jr. They were introducing new menu items, expanding to new locations, and trying to stand out in the competitive fast-food market.
Birth of the Western Bacon Cheeseburger: It’s generally accepted that the Western Bacon Cheeseburger was introduced in 1988. This was a time when “Western” themes were popular in American culture, and the burger’s name and ingredients likely capitalized on that trend.

Unique Features:

BBQ Sauce: The use of barbecue sauce on a burger was somewhat unique at the time, setting it apart from traditional cheeseburgers.
Onion Rings: Adding onion rings as a topping was another distinctive feature that contributed to the burger’s “Western” identity and provided a satisfying crunch.

Enduring Popularity:

Menu Staple: The Western Bacon Cheeseburger quickly became a popular menu item and has remained a staple at Carl’s Jr. for over 35 years.
Variations: Over time, Carl’s Jr. has released variations of the Western Bacon Cheeseburger, such as the Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger and limited-time offerings with different toppings or sauces.
Copycat Inspiration: The burger’s popularity has also inspired countless copycat recipes, as people try to recreate its unique flavors at home.

A Testament to Innovation:

The Western Bacon Cheeseburger is a testament to Carl’s Jr.’s willingness to innovate and experiment with new flavor combinations. It’s a burger that has captured the taste buds of many and secured its place as a classic in the fast-food world.

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Carl’s Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburger (copycat)

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