Sunrise Sizzle Burger

Get Creative: Optional Toppings and Variations

While this breakfast burger recipe is absolutely divine as written, one of its greatest strengths is its versatility. Feel empowered to customize it to your heart’s content! Whether you swap out the bacon jam for classic crispy bacon, or introduce a luxurious hollandaise sauce, the possibilities for delicious variations are endless. Explore these suggestions and make this breakfast burger truly your own culinary creation.

• For a fresh crunch and a touch of green, consider adding a handful of shredded lettuce, tender spinach, or peppery arugula to your burger.
• If you prefer the timeless appeal of crisp bacon, simply substitute the bacon jam with slices of perfectly cooked bacon. Our oven-baked bacon recipe is ideal for achieving that coveted crispy texture.
• Should you decide to omit the bacon jam, but still desire that sweet and savory oniony goodness, add a generous helping of homemade caramelized onions. These can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week, or frozen for up to three months, making meal prep a breeze.
• Transform your breakfast burger into an even more decadent experience by drizzling it with a silky hollandaise sauce. This addition creates a delightful hybrid between a classic Eggs Benedict and a gourmet burger.
• While the beef and sausage blend offers unparalleled flavor, you can certainly make these burgers with all-beef patties or all-sausage patties. Adjust according to your preference for a richer beef flavor or a more pronounced breakfast sausage taste.
• For an extra layer of freshness and a juicy bite, incorporate thin slices of ripe tomato.
• Introduce a hint of spice with sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a fiery kick.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties beyond cheddar, such as spicy pepper jack, creamy provolone, or a smoky Gruyère, to personalize your flavor profile.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Breakfast Burger

Achieving breakfast burger perfection is simple with a few insider tips. These pointers will help you navigate the cooking process efficiently and ensure your burgers turn out incredibly juicy, flavorful, and perfectly assembled every time.

• Preparation is Key: Always prioritize prepping your buns and all your toppings *before* you even think about cooking the burger patties. These smash-style burgers cook in a matter of minutes, sometimes as quickly as two minutes total. Having your bacon jam spread, avocado smashed, and all other desired toppings ready on the buns will prevent your freshly cooked patties from getting cold while you scramble to assemble.
• Heat Your Cooking Surface Properly: This is a non-negotiable step for any great burger. Ensure your griddle or flat top is thoroughly preheated to a high temperature, ideally between 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit, before placing your burger balls down. Cooking on a sufficiently hot surface is crucial for food safety, and it’s what creates that irresistible, caramelized crust on the exterior of the patty, locking in all the juices and ensuring a tender interior. This high-heat searing technique is fundamental to the smash burger style of cooking.
• No Griddle? No Problem!: If you don’t own a griddle or a flat top, you can absolutely make these delicious burgers in a heavy-bottomed skillet, such as a cast iron skillet. Depending on the size of your skillet, you’ll likely be able to cook 2 to 4 patties at a time. A cast iron griddle pan is also an excellent alternative. Cast iron skillets can be used both on the stovetop or even on an outdoor grill for a subtle smoky flavor.
• Achieving the Perfect Smash: When smashing your burger balls, use firm, even pressure with your spatula. The goal is to create a thin, even patty that maximizes contact with the hot surface, leading to that coveted crispy edge. Don’t be shy – the “smash” is key to the texture!
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: While it might be tempting to cook all the patties at once, resist the urge if your cooking surface isn’t large enough. Overcrowding cools down the griddle, preventing a proper sear and leading to steamed, rather than seared, burgers. Cook in batches if necessary, keeping finished patties warm in a low oven.
• Consider Your Egg Yolk Preference: For the ultimate breakfast burger experience, a runny egg yolk acts as a delicious, rich sauce. However, if you prefer a firmer yolk, simply cook your eggs for an additional minute or two until they reach your desired consistency.

What to Serve with These Incredible Burgers

Burgers and potatoes are a culinary match made in heaven, and these breakfast burgers are no exception! Whether you prefer classic breakfast potatoes or traditional fries, the right side dish can elevate your meal. Here are some fantastic pairings to consider, designed to complement the rich flavors of your breakfast burger:

• Air Fryer French Fries: Achieve perfectly crispy fries with less oil, a lighter option that still delivers on flavor.
• Cheesy Grilled Potatoes: Tender potatoes coated in melted cheese, grilled to perfection, offer a comforting and savory side.
• Air Fryer Tater Tots: Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, tater tots are a nostalgic and irresistible companion.
• Animal Style Fries: For an indulgent treat, these loaded fries with special sauce, grilled onions, and cheese are pure bliss alongside your burger.
• Truffle Fries: Elevate your meal with gourmet fries tossed with truffle oil and parmesan, adding an earthy, sophisticated touch.
• Crispy Hash Browns: A breakfast classic that pairs beautifully, offering a crispy texture and savory potato goodness.
• Roasted Potatoes (Air Fryer or Oven): Simple, hearty, and versatile, roasted potatoes seasoned to your liking are always a winner.
• For a lighter option, a fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the burger.

Explore More Burger Recipes

Burgers are a versatile, flavorful, and often surprisingly quick meal option for any day of the week. If you loved this breakfast burger, be sure to expand your culinary repertoire with these other scrumptious burger recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved classic!

Breakfast Burger

Dig into the most amazing burgers for breakfast with this Breakfast Burger recipe! This incredibly delicious burger starts with ground beef and breakfast sausage patties, topped with cheese, fried eggs, bacon jam, and avocado, for an explosion of flavor!

Ingredients

• ½ pound ground beef (80/20)
• ½ pound pork breakfast sausage (loose)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 4 brioche buns
• ½ cup bacon jam (click link for the recipe)
• 2 avocados, sliced in half, then smashed with a fork
• 4 large eggs
• 4 slices cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breakfast sausage, and salt, then form the mixture into 8 two-ounce balls.
2. Preheat a large skillet on the stove, griddle, or flat top, over medium-high heat.
3. When hot, add the vegetable oil to the griddle and place the buns face-down on the griddle. Toast the hamburger buns for approximately 1 minute, or until browned around the edges.
4. Remove the buns from the griddle, spread bacon jam on each of the bottom buns, and add half of a smashed avocado on the top bun.
5. Crack four eggs onto the griddle and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the whites are set. Use a spatula to remove the eggs and set them aside.
6. Turn the heat on the griddle up to high.
7. Spray the back of a large flat metal spatula with cooking spray.
8. Place each of the balls of ground beef and sausage on the hot griddle. Use the back of the spatula to smash the ground beef into flattened burger patties. Cook for 1 minute.
9. Flip the burgers and place a piece of cheese on half of the burger patties.
10. Place the other burger patties, not topped with cheese, on top of the cheese-topped burger patties. Add one of the fried eggs on top of each burger.
11. Cook for 30 seconds, then remove the burgers from the griddle and place them on the prepared buns.

Notes

• Instead of bacon jam, you can simply add slices of cooked bacon to these burgers. Use our oven-baked bacon recipe to cook up some crispy bacon and add it the burgers.
• Always prep the buns and toppings before cooking the burgers. These burgers literally cook in 2 minutes, so you want to make sure the buns are toasted and topped with the bacon jam, smashed avocado, and whatever toppings you’re adding to the burgers, before actually cooking the burgers.
• Always make sure the griddle is hot before adding the burgers. Adding burgers (or any food for that matter) to a hot surface is important for cooking safety. It will also give you a beautiful sear on the outside, while keeping the burgers super juicy on the inside. These breakfast burgers are a variation of smash burgers, which should always be cooked over high heat, between 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If you don’t have a griddle, or flat top, you can make the burgers in a skillet. Depending on the size of your skillet, you’ll probably only be able to fit 2, or maybe 4, burger patties in the skillet at a time. We recommend a cast iron skillet, or cast iron griddle pan if you have one available. A cast iron skillet can be used on the stove, or on a grill, to make these burgers.

Nutrition Facts