This Brunch Burger recipe features a juicy sausage burger patty topped with a fried egg, a thick slice of pepper jack cheese, bacon onion jam all stacked on a toasted brioche bun. I added a smear of aioli and a handful of arugula for the perfect savory kick to start my day!
I love this EPIC Brunch Burger
Why save burgers for lunch or dinner??! Introducing BRUNCH burgers inspired by our latest weekend adventure in Atlanta, GA. My husband and I were there for a friend’s wedding and we started our day at a local restaurant. It was a pretty basic burger (with an egg) but they called it a Brunch Burger.
Of course, I had to put on my recipe development hat immediately and brainstormed what the ultimate brunch burger SHOULD be. Alas, this recipe was made with extra breakfast flavor!!
How does it differ from an ordinary burger, you ask? Well, the juicy burger patty itself is made with pork sausage AND bacon giving an extra brunchy feel as compared to a traditional patty. Plus, we’re adding a slightly sweet bacon onion jam that gives off a little bit of syrup vibes (feel free to add a drizzle of maple syrup, too, if you’re feeling crazy). Then of course, I had to add some greens – arugula and avocado – to embrace the avocado toast lover in me.
I think you’re going to LOVE this, whether it be for a weekend brunch at home, or for a Father’s Day spread (my Dad loved it!!). Regardless, this brunch burger recipe will NOT disappoint, but if you’re looking for other savory brunch recipes, also try my Puff Pastry Breakfast Tart or these Breakfast Enchiladas which I think you’ll love, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Burger Patties – We are making these breakfast theme with pork sausage, bacon, egg, paprika, garlic and onion, then topping with a big slice of pepper jack cheese.
- Bacon Onion Jam – A sweet and savory onion compote made with onions, bbacon, and brown sugar. Feel free to blend it a bit once it’s cooked if you prefer more of a jam texture (an immersion blender works well for this).
- Toppings – Arugula, avocado and a fried egg go on top of this burger.
- Aioli – Or your sauce of choice. I used a hot sauce & mayo mixture.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Patty: really any ground meat will work. Ground turkey sausage would be a nice substitution if you want something a little leaner, still with that brunchy flavor.
- Toppings: Oh, the possibilities are endless! Whatever you like on your regular burgers or whatever you’d add to a breakfast sammy. Try extra slices of crispy bacon, sliced tomato or onion, spinach, breakfast ham, pickles, jalapeños you name it. Even a hash browns sound like a great idea.
- Jam: You can use a store bought jam – I’ve gotten this Maple Bacon Jam from Target and its very tasty. Or try another sweet and savory variety like this Hot Pepper Peach Jam or a jalapeño jelly.
- Sauce: I made a homemade spicy mayo of sorts, but a special sauce like the one I use on my Big Mac Casserole would be a yummy choice, too. Or go more mainstream with just some ketchup if you’re a ketchup and eggs kinda person.
- Bun: Instead of a traditional bun, use english muffins or even place burger patties between two toasted waffles.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Start by making the bacon jam. Heat a skillet to medium heat. Add the diced white onion rings into the pan and a pinch of salt. As they warm, add the pieces of bacon. Cover and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove the lid and stir. Repeat this again until bacon is cooked and onions are caramelized. Turn off the heat and stir in the brown sugar.
2. Make the pork patties. In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork sausage, pieces of bacon, 1 egg, and seasonings. Mix until egg is dispersed and seasoning evenly folded in.
3. Use a large cookie scoop divide meat mixture to make 4 burger patties of equal portions. Use your hands to flatten and shape the patties. They should be even sided pucks.
4. Drain the extra grease from the bacon jam and then transfer jam into a bowl. Wipe the skillet clean then reheat to medium heat. Once hot, place each breakfast sausage patty into the pan. Cover with a lid and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove the lid, use a spatula to flip the patties over. Cover again. Poke the burger patties with a meat thermometer. When they reach an internal temperature of 145F, transfer burgers to a paper towel lined plate (to absorb extra grease). Place a slice of cheese on each burger patty (use the skillet lid to cover & help melt if desired).
5. Fry the eggs. Clean the skillet out again (remove grease). Heat to medium heat. Once warm, crack 4 eggs into the pan. Cook evenly before flipping (over medium is my preference).
6. While the eggs are cooking, prep the buns. Set the oven to boiler. Grease the insides of the bun with cooking spray, swipe of butter or olive oil. Allow them to become golden in the broiler, then remove.
7. Assemble!! All of the burger parts are ready. Build: bottom bun, arugula, pork patty + cheese, avocado slices, bacon jam, fried egg, spicy aioli on the top bun. Adjust any toppings to your liking. Enjoy your epic burgers!!
PRO TIPS
The KEY to a GOOD burger is that everything is properly warmed and grilled to perfection.
Prep the toppings first, then cook the patties, fry the eggs and toast the buns. In that order. This will ensure things are at optimal temperature when you’re ready to assemble the burger.
Recipe FAQs
These are best served immediately and I do not recommend storing the assembled breakfast burgers. You can, however, make the onion jam ahead of time as well as the sausage patties. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
For the jam, it’s intentional to not add any oil to the pan. The bacon fat will release enough grease to cook down the onion and we don’t need any extra fat in the pan.
I prefer over medium for this brunch burger so you have a still slightly runny yolk but not totally oozing out making a mess. To cook over medium eggs, fry for 2-3 minutes on the first side, then 1-2 minutes on the second side.
Serving suggestions
Serve your brunch burger with IHOP Crispy Hashbrowns and a Spinach Mango Smoothie for the ULTIMATE brunch meal.
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Brunch Burger
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- knife and cutting board
- Mixing Bowl
- Meat masher
- Cookie scoop
- Frying pan
- spatula
Ingredients
Pork Patties
- 16 oz hot pork sausage
- 2 oz center cut bacon, cut in pieces (2 strips diced)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
Bacon Onion Jam
- 1 medium White onion, diced into rings
- Pinch salt
- 4 oz Center Cut Bacon, cut in small pieces (4-5 strips diced)
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
Burger
- 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese
- 4 brioche buns
- 4 eggs
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup arugula
- 1/2 cup sauce of choice, I did half mayo half nashville hot sauce for a delicious aioli!!
Instructions
- Start by making the bacon jam. Heat a skillet to medium heat. Add the diced white onion rings into the pan and a pinch of salt. As they warm, add the pieces of bacon. Cover and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove the lid and stir. Repeat this again until bacon is cooked and onions are caramelized. Turn off the heat and stir in the brown sugar.
- Make the pork patties. In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork sausage, pieces of bacon, 1 egg, and seasonings. Mix until egg is dispersed and seasoning evenly folded in. Use a large cookie scoop divide meat mixture to make 4 burger patties of equal portions. Use your hands to flatten and shape the patties. They should be even sided pucks.
- Drain the extra grease from the bacon jam and then transfer jam into a bowl. Wipe the skillet clean then reheat to medium heat. Once hot, place each breakfast sausage patty into the pan. Cover with a lid and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove the lid, use a spatula to flip the patties over. Cover again. Poke the burger patties with a meat thermometer. When they reach an internal temperature of 145F, transfer burgers to a paper towel lined plate (to absorb extra grease). Place a slice of cheese on each burger patty (use the skillet lid to cover & help melt if desired).
- Fry the eggs. Clean the skillet out again (remove grease). Heat to medium heat. Once warm, crack 4 eggs into the pan. Cook evenly before flipping (over medium is my preference).
- While the eggs are cooking, prep the buns. Set the oven to boiler. Grease the insides of the bun with cooking spray, swipe of butter or olive oil. Allow them to become golden in the broiler, then remove.
- Assemble!! All of the burger parts are ready. Build: bottom bun, arugula, pork patty + cheese, avocado slices, bacon jam, fried egg, spicy aioli on the top bun. Adjust any toppings to your liking. Enjoy your epic burgers!!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find BRUNCH BURGER calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
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these were literally insannnneee! The bacon jam, I cannot!
Brunch just got serious — and I’m here for it