The most flavorful, juicy and insanely delicious burger made with blue cheese and chives, then topped with sweet and savory tomato bacon jam that is super simple to make and crazy good!! This is my favorite burger to make at home!

burger on a plate next to a glass of beer and a jar of tomato bacon jam

This post is sponsored by Strauss Grass Rooted, who I am so excited to partner with! Recipe, photographs, thoughts and opinions are all my own.

You absolutely have to make this burger!! I can not stress enough how good it is! Honestly, I was even pleasently surprised the first time I threw this together lol. I promise you're going to love it! Even if you aren't a blue cheese fan, you have to give it a try. My dad and Nate both don't like blue cheese, but they still love this burger!! It's really the tomato bacon jam that takes it to another level of amazing. It's seriously the best!

If you're still thinking blue cheese just really isn't your thing, swap for feta or top with a slice of your favorite cheese. The burger will still be amazing thanks to the tomato bacon jam, which I literally will eat with a spoon.

But the true secret to the best juicy and flavorful burger is using high quality ground beef! In my honest opinion, the beef you use can make or break a burger. Grass-fed beef is always my go-to. If you're looking for a good brand, I can't recommend Strauss Grass Rooted beef enough. It's 100% grass-fed from pasture raised cows that are never administered antibiotics or growth hormones. Their ground beef has great flavor and creates a juicy, but not greasy, burger.

Why you'll love this blue burger recipe

Tomato bacon jam. Tomato bacon jam is my jam!! I don't even know how to describe to you how delicious it is! It's both sweet and salty, simple to make, and absolutely perfect paired with a blue cheese burger, or really any burger.
Easy to make. The tomato bacon jam simmers while you prepare and cook the burgers. In the recipe, I provided instructions for cooking the burgers on the grill or stovetop, whichever is easier for you!
Super delicious. I am completely obsessed with this blue burger. The combination of the tangy blue cheese, sweet and salty tomato bacon jam and delicious ground beef is literally perfect.

assembled burger on a plate next to a glass of beer

Ingredients

bacon
yellow onion
garlic
strongly brewed coffee
tomato
balsamic vinegar
brown sugar
black pepper
ground beef (I recommend Grass Rooted Grass-Fed Beef)
blue cheese
chives
Worcestershire sauce
salt
black pepper
hamburger buns
optional toppings: tomato slices, arugula and spinach (or your favorite lettuce)

Instructions

This burger is super easy to make but packs so much flavor! Here's how to do it:

Tomato bacon jam. Make the tomato bacon jam first. It has to simmer for 20-30 minutes, so while it's simmering you'll prepare and cook the burgers.
Prepare the burgers. Mix the ground beef with blue cheese, chives and seasoning. Shape into 4 burger patties.
Cook the burgers. This can be done on the grill or the stovetop. I provided
Enjoy! Toast some buttered buns then pile high with tomato bacon jam, burgers, extra blue cheese, tomato and lettuce.

Scroll down to the recipe card for full instructions.

How long to cook a hamburger

When cooking a hamburger, here are approximate times:

Rare: 6 minutes
Medium Rare: 7 minutes
Medium: 8 minutes
Medium Well: 9 minutes
Well Done: 10 minutes

If using a meat thermometer, here are the temperatures:

Rare: 120-125 degrees F.
Medium Rare: 130-135 degrees F.
Medium: 140-145 degrees F.
Medium Well: 150-155 degrees F.
Well Done: 160-165 degrees F.

ground beef in bowl with blue cheese chives and seasoning

What is the secret to juicy hamburgers?

Use 85/15 or 80/20 ground beef. 15-20% fat is best for juicy hamburgers. The high fat content prevents the burgers from drying out while cooking and keeps them juicy. When buying meat, look for this ratio - it will be labeled on the packaging.
Make the hamburger patty larger than the bun. When shaping a burger patty, make it slightly larger than the bun, about ¾ inch thick, and put a thumb indent in the center. You want to do this for a few reasons. As burgers cook, they puff up in the center and the diameter of the burger shrinks. The combination of the thumbprint and the large patty size help to prevent this. This allows the burgers to cook more evenly, resulting in a juicer burger.
When the burger is cooking, don't smash it. When you first drop the patty into the hot pan, you can smash it at this point to achieve your desired burger size. But as the burger cooks, don't smash it or you will squeeze out juices, resulting in a dry burger.
Don't overload the beef with seasoning. When making burgers, keep it simple. Salt, pepper and Worcestershire are my go-to.
Don't over-mix the ground beef. Over-mixing/over-working the ground beef will result in tough burgers.
Grill the Hamburgers or Use a Cast Iron Skillet on the Stove. When cooking burgers on the stovetop, I recommend using cast iron or stainless steel because it conducts heat evenly and allows you to get a nice crust on the burgers.
Only Flip the Hamburger Once. When using cast iron, the burger patty will release from the pan once it forms a nice crust, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Once the crust is formed then flip the patty.
Use a Meat Thermometer. The key to juicy, tender meat, including burgers, is to use a meat thermometer. This will ensure that you don't overcook and dry out the meat.

Best blue burger sauce

Tomato Bacon Jam is literally the BEST blue burger sauce!! It's sweet, savory, salty and honestly the perfect addition! I am obsessed with it!! I could eat it with a spoon. It pairs perfectly with blue cheese.

Tips & Substitutions

Make the Tomato Bacon Jam ahead of time.

The Tomato Bacon Jam is simple to make and cooks while you prepare and cook the burgers, but it can also be made ahead of time.

Store in jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I recommend heating the jam in the microwave or on the stove before using.

Buy a blue cheese wedge instead of crumbles.

When it comes to cheese, I always recommend buying a block or wedge of cheese and shredding or crumbling it yourself. In my opinion, it tastes and melts better that way.

If you don't like blue cheese, swap for feta cheese.

I made these burgers for my fiancé and dad, and they both don't really like blue cheese (in fact, my fiancé actually says he hates blue cheese), BUT they both loved these burgers even with the blue cheese!!

However, you can use feta cheese in place of blue cheese, if desired. Or simply top with your favorite slice of cheese and make the Tomato Bacon Jam because that is an absolute must!!

Don't like tomatoes?

If you aren't a tomato fan, I still highly recommend you try the Tomato Bacon Jam!! You can't really taste the tomato, it just give it a good jammy consistency and adds a little bit of acid to help balance the sweetness from the brown sugar.

But, if needed, you can leave out the tomato to just make bacon jam, which is still really good!

Frequently asked questions

How long do you BBQ burgers for?

When grilling burgers, here are approximate times for desired doneness:

Rare: 6 minutes
Medium Rare: 7 minutes
Medium: 8 minutes
Medium Well: 9 minutes
Well Done: 10 minutes

Can burgers be slightly pink?

The USDA recommends cooking burgers to a minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees F, which results in a burger that is well done.

However, some people prefer their burgers to be cooked to an internal temperature around 140-150 degrees F, which results in a burger that is slightly pink on the inside. It all comes down to personal preference.

What is the best hamburger for grilling?

80/20 or 85/15 is best for juicy burgers. This means 80-85% is lean protein and 15-20% is fat. The extra fat helps to prevent the burgers from drying out.

Do you grill burgers with the lid open or closed?

When grilling burgers, you don't need to close the lid since they're so thin. But, if you do decide to close the lid, keep in mind they will cook a little quicker.

Is blue cheese moldy cheese?

Blue cheese is aged using a type of mold called Penicillium, but this type of mold is safe for human consumption.

ground beef in packaging next to burger buns and blue cheese

Storage & reheating

Storing in the fridge.

Raw burgers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Cooked burgers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing burgers.

To freeze burgers, patty the burgers then stack together with squares of parchment paper between each burger. Place the burgers in an airtight container or ziploc bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thaw the burgers in the fridge overnight before cooking as directed in the recipe.

Reheating.

I like to reheat burgers on the stovetop. Heat a skillet over medium heat with butter or olive oil then sear on both sides for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until heated through.

Reheat the tomato bacon jam on the stove or in the microwave before using.

Make ahead.

If desired, both the burgers and tomato bacon jam can be prepared ahead of time.

Burgers: Prepare the ground beef as directed in the recipe, then patty into burgers. Stack the uncooked burgers with squares of parchment paper between each burger, and place in an airtight container or ziploc bag. Store in the refrigerator overnight. Cook the burgers as directed in the recipe.

Tomato bacon jam: Prepare and cook the tomato bacon jam as directed in the recipe. Store in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave before using.

burger on a plate next to a pile of potato chips

What to serve with blue burgers

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