Breakfast Burger with Bacon and Fried Egg

Brunch meets burger night. This stack piles a seared beef cheeseburger with crispy bacon, a fried egg and a sweet-spicy maple sriracha mayo. Add a crispy hash brown patty if you're feeling ambitious.

Cook the bacon first and use a little of the fat to fry the eggs for extra flavor. For the safest result, cook eggs until both the white and yolk are firm; a runny yolk is delicious but is a personal risk choice. For more ways to top a burger, see the best burger toppings and our bacon cheeseburger.

1. Make the mayo. Stir together the mayonnaise, maple syrup and sriracha. Set aside.
2. Cook the bacon. Lay the bacon in a cold skillet and cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Save 1 tablespoon of the fat.
3. Cook the hash browns (optional). Cook the hash brown patties according to the package so they are ready when the burgers are.
4. Form and cook the patties. Shape the beef into 4 patties (5 oz / 140 g each) about ½ inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and cook in a hot skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes per side.
5. Add cheese and check temperature. Top each patty with cheese for the final minute and cover to melt. Cook until the patties reach 160°F (71°C). Move to a plate.
6. Fry the eggs. Wipe out the pan, add the reserved bacon fat over medium heat and crack in the eggs. Cook until the whites are set, 2 to 3 minutes. For firm yolks, flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
7. Toast the buns. Butter and toast the buns or English muffins until golden.
8. Assemble. Spread mayo on both halves. Layer greens if using, the cheeseburger, a hash brown, two slices of bacon and the fried egg. Close and serve.

• Bacon first. Starting bacon in a cold pan renders the fat evenly and gives you flavorful fat for the eggs.
• Mind the yolk. A runny yolk is messy, so serve with napkins or cook it to firm for a tidier bite.
• Keep things warm. Hold finished patties and bacon on a sheet pan in a 200°F oven while you fry the eggs.
• Swap the meat. Breakfast sausage patties also work; cook pork sausage to 160°F.

Approximately 900 calories per serving. This is an estimate.