Bacon Jam Smashburger

Directions

1. Make the bacon jam ahead of time. Start by roughly chopping the bacon and cooking in a small stock pot.
2. Once the bacon is well rendered and almost crispy, drain and set aside.
3. Sauté the onion in 3 TB of the rendered bacon fat.
4. Once slightly browned add garlic and cook 2 minutes.
5. Add tomatoes, Bee Sting Hot Honey rub, honey and balsamic vinegar.
6. Bring to a low simmer and allow to thicken and reduce for about 1 hour.
7. Cool and reserve
8. Heat flattop or skillet to 375 degrees.
9. Make 8 meatballs from the ground beef.
10. Cut the red onion into ¾” slices and slice the jalapenos to your liking.
11. Place the meatballs on the flattop and smash using a burger press or large spatula. Get them as thin as you can.
12. Season the burgers with BBQ General SPG rub and then flip the burgers once they are caramelized.
13. Top the burgers with cheese to melt.
14. Place the sliced onion and jalapenos on the flattop and cook in the rendered beef juices until softened.
15. Toast the pretzel bins if desired.
16. Build the burgers with a pinch of spinach on the bottom followed by grilled onion, two burger patties, a heap of bacon jam and finished with a few fried jalapenos.
17. Enjoy!