How to Make a Gentleman Jack Whiskey Burger

Gentleman Jack Whiskey Burger

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 white onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp Gentleman Jack Whiskey (or your preferred whiskey)
• kosher salt, to taste
• cracked black pepper, to taste
• 2 lbs Certified Angus Beef® brand ground beef, 80/20
• 5 slices cheddar cheese
• 5 hamburger buns
• mayonnaise
• shredded lettuce
• 5 tomato slices
• 10 slices Certified Angus Beef® brand beef bacon, cooked

Instructions

1. Prepare your grill and tools. Clean the grates and preheat the grill to medium heat for the onions and then high heat for searing the burgers.
2. Gentleman Jack Caramelized Onions:
   1. Place a cast-iron skillet on the grill and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the sliced white onion.
   2. Sauté the onions for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so they soften evenly.
   3. Add the whiskey and season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low or move the skillet to indirect heat and continue cooking until the onions are golden and caramelized, about 5 more minutes. Remove from the grill and set aside.
3. Burgers:
   1. Form the ground beef into five even patties. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb — this helps the burgers cook flat and evenly.
   2. Increase the grill heat to high. Place the patties on the hot grill and cook for about 5 minutes. Flip the burgers and grill for another 5 minutes, or until they reach your preferred doneness.
   3. During the last minute of cooking, add a slice of cheddar to each patty and close the grill lid or cover briefly so the cheese melts. Remove the burgers and keep them warm tented with foil.
4. Buns:
   1. Place the hamburger buns cut side down on the grill for 15–30 seconds until lightly toasted. Watch closely so they do not burn.
5. Assembly:
   1. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom bun. Add shredded lettuce and a tomato slice.
   2. Place the cheeseburger on top of the tomato, spoon a generous portion of the Gentleman Jack caramelized onions over the cheese, then add two slices of cooked beef bacon.
   3. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately.

Tips and Variations

– If you don’t have Gentleman Jack, any good-quality whiskey will add depth to the onions; add it carefully and allow the alcohol to cook off.

– For juicier burgers, use a thermometer: 130–135°F for medium-rare, 140–145°F for medium. Rest patties for a few minutes before serving.

– Swap cheddar for smoked gouda or pepper jack to change the flavor profile. Use thick-cut beef bacon for extra chew and beefy flavor.

– For a lighter version, choose leaner ground beef and reduce the amount of cheese or bacon, and serve on whole-grain buns.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover cooked patties and caramelized onions separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven to preserve texture. If frozen, wrap patties individually and freeze up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.