Crack Burgers Recipe– Double Smash Burgers with Bacon and Cheese
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Okay, so let’s just get this out of the way: these Crack Burgers are ridiculous. Two juicy smash patties, gooey cheddar, buttery onions, crispy bacon, and a sauce so good you’ll want to put it on literally everything in your fridge. That’s right, Crack Burgers. Once you make them, you’ll understand the name.
The secret is in the details. Ranch seasoning in the beef (trust me), onions sautéed in butter until they’re soft and sweet, and a homemade crack sauce that takes about two minutes to stir together. You don’t need a grill, you don’t need fancy toppings, and you definitely don’t need to wait for a special occasion. Just grab your skillet and go. Dinner will be messy, fast, and hands-down delicious.
Why You’ll Love Crack Burgers
- Big flavor payoff: Ranch seasoning, bacon, onions, cheddar, and sauce mean every bite is layered with flavor.
- Smash-burger style: Thin, crispy-edged patties cook fast and lock in flavor.
- Quick to make: Ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish.
- Crowd-pleasing: A fun twist on classic cheeseburgers that everyone will love.
- Homemade crack sauce: Creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet, it’s the ultimate burger topper.
Ingredients Needed To Make Crack Burgers
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Burger patties
- Ranch seasoning
- Onion
- Butter
- Bacon
- Cheddar cheese
- Burger buns
- Mayonnaise
- Relish
- Worcestershire sauce
Variations, Tips, and Substitutions
- Switch up the cheese: Use pepper jack, Swiss, or American cheese instead of cheddar.
- Caramelize the onions: Cook them low and slow for deeper flavor.
- Add toppings: Lettuce, tomato, or pickles work if you want extra crunch.
- Make it spicy: Add hot sauce or jalapeños to the crack sauce.
- Meal prep tip: Make the crack sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
How To Make Crack Burgers
- Stir together mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, relish, and Worcestershire to make the crack sauce.
- Dice the onion and cook it in butter until soft and translucent. Set aside.
- Toast burger buns in the skillet until golden.
- Season patties with ranch seasoning, then cook in the skillet, smashing them down with a spatula.
- Flip after 3–4 minutes, cook the other side, and top with cheese to melt. Repeat for all patties.
- Spread crack sauce on the bottom bun.
- Add onions, one patty, then stack a second patty on top.
- Layer bacon strips and more crack sauce.
- Cap with the top bun and serve hot.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I make the crack sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The sauce actually tastes even better after a day in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container for up to a week. Just give it a stir before using.
Can I swap out the cheese?
Absolutely. Cheddar is classic, but pepper jack will give it a spicy kick, Swiss will make it melty and mild, and American will give you that diner-style ooze.
What kind of beef works best?
Go for ground beef with some fat—80/20 is perfect. Lean beef tends to dry out when cooked smash-style.
Do I have to use ranch seasoning?
Nope, but it adds that savory kick that makes these burgers pop. If you don’t have a packet, you can season with garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, and a pinch of salt.
How do I store leftover burgers?
Store cooked patties, bacon, and onions separately from the buns and sauce. Keep everything in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the patties in a hot skillet for the best texture.
Can I freeze the patties?
Yes. Shape and season the patties, then freeze them raw with parchment between each one. Cook straight from frozen, just add an extra minute or two to the cook time.
What’s the best way to toast the buns?
In the same pan you cooked the onions! They soak up that buttery flavor and make the burgers even better.
Do I need a cast iron skillet?
Cast iron is ideal for smash burgers because it holds heat so well, but any heavy skillet will work. Just make sure it’s hot before you drop the patties in—that’s how you get the crispy edges.
Crack Burgers
Equipment
- Kitchen Items Needed:
- large skillet or cast iron pan
- Spatula (for smashing patties)
- Knife & cutting board
Ingredients
Burgers
- 4 burger patties
- 2 tsp ranch seasoning
- 1 onion diced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 strips cooked bacon
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 2 burger buns
Crack Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning
- ¼ cup relish
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Make the Crack Sauce
- In a small mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, relish, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and set aside.
Prepare the Onions
- Dice the onion. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter.
- Cook the onion in the butter until soft and translucent. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Toast the Buns
- Place the burger buns in the skillet for 1–2 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
Cook the Patties
- Season the burger patties with ranch seasoning. Increase skillet heat to medium.
- Place two patties in the pan and smash them down with a spatula. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Add a slice of cheese on each patty during the last minute of cooking. Repeat with the other two patties.
Assemble the Burgers
- Spread a layer of crack sauce on the bottom bun.
- Add some of the buttery onions, then place one patty on top. Stack the second patty on top of the first.
- Add bacon strips, more sauce, and finish with the top bun.
Serve
- Repeat for the second burger. Serve immediately with extra crack sauce on the side.
Notes
Storage
- Fridge: Store cooked patties, bacon, and onions in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep buns and sauce stored separately.
- Reheat: Warm patties in a hot skillet for the best flavor and texture. Microwave works in a pinch, but you’ll lose the crispy edges.
- Sauce: Store crack sauce in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Stir before using.
- Freezer: Freeze raw patties (with parchment between each) for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen, adding a minute or two to the cook time.
Crack Burgers are the kind of meal you make when you want something over-the-top delicious. Between the double patties, the bacon, the melty cheddar, and that addictive sauce, these burgers are downright addicting. I love serving these with fries or onion rings, plus extra crack sauce on the side for dipping. Once you try them, don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to burger recipe.