The marriage of the sweet, sticky glazed donut with the smoky, salty flavor of a bacon cheeseburger, also known as the Luther Burger, after supposed creator, Luther Vandross, is unexpectedly delightful.
To elevate it into a classic NASCAR meal, don’t skimp on the bacon and cheese! If this is your first time trying this combo, be forewarned: once you’ve experienced this delicious donut bacon cheeseburger, ordinary burger buns may pale in comparison.
And in case you were wondering… Yes, Burger King did release a donut burger, but only in Ecuador. Originally a prank, they kept it on the menu due to its wild popularity. Unfortunately, there are no reports of plans for a U.S. release.
But, don’t worry! This sweet, smoky, savory combo is surprisingly easy to make yourself. Ready to wow your tailgating guests? Get the recipe below!
Glazed Donut Cheeseburger Recipe
To make this donut burger, you don’t need much: bacon, glazed donut/s, ground beef, salt and pepper, and cheese. The recipe simply calls for cooking over the stovetop, so there’s no special equipment required.
But if you prefer, you could easily modify this for grilling at your tailgate location by prepping the burger patties ahead of time and cooking the bacon and toasting the donuts at home (as they may not hold up on the grill).
We hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
Doughnut Bacon Cheeseburger
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon
- 1 glazed doughnut
- 1/3 pound ground beef
- 1/8 tsp table salt and black pepper
- 2 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the strips of bacon and cook until crispy, flipping once. Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel. Keep the pan on medium heat.
- Slice the donut in half carefully, making sure not to smush it. Place the donut halves, cut side down, in the skillet at toast until the cut side is golden, about 1 minute. Remove from the skillet and keep the pan on the heat on low.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Shape the ground beef into two burger patties using your hands. Add them to the pan and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side until the desired doneness.
- Add the cheese on top of each patty, remove the pan from the heat, and cover to melt cheese, about 2 minutes.
- Place the donut halves on a plate and top the bottom half with both cheesy beef patty, top that with the bacon, and place the other donut halve on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Glazed Donut Burger Tips
Skip the ketchup and mustard and instead consider enhancing this indulgent doughnut burger with a dollop of tangy sriracha mayo or a drizzle of smoky BBQ sauce combined with creamy garlic aioli. These condiments add layers of flavor, balancing the sweetness of the glazed doughnut while harmonizing with the savory bacon and cheeseburger patties.
For an extra indulgent touch, adding a fried egg on top would introduce a creamy richness that perfectly complements the sweet, smoky, and savory flavors of the burger. You could also add some jalapeno for a spicy kick or sub cheddar cheese in place of American; the possibilities are endless!
Tailgating at the racetrack? No problem, the hamburger patties and doughnuts can easily be cooked on a griddle over the grill. Get ready to impress your fellow tailgaters with this donut burger recipe like no other.
