Avocado Bacon Burger With Garlic Mayo

Imperial May 31, 2026May 31, 2026

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

Yield: 4 burgers
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Quick Ingredients

Burgers: 1 1/4 pounds 80/20 ground beef, 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon neutral oil if cooking in a skillet
Toppings: 8 slices thick-cut bacon, 4 slices pepper jack cheese, 2 ripe avocados sliced, 1 large tomato sliced, and 4 potato or brioche burger buns
Garlic mayo: 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 large garlic clove finely grated, 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
For toasting buns: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
Optional avocado seasoning: 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice and a pinch of kosher salt

Do This

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake the bacon on a parchment-lined sheet pan for 14 to 18 minutes, until crisp.
2. Stir together mayonnaise, grated garlic, lime juice, black pepper, and salt; refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Form the beef into 4 loose 5-ounce patties, each about 3/4 inch thick; season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Cook patties in a hot skillet or on a grill over medium-high heat for 4 minutes, flip, then cook 3 to 4 minutes more.
5. Add pepper jack during the last 1 minute of cooking and cook until the cheese softens and the patties reach 160 degrees F.
6. Butter and toast the buns for 1 to 2 minutes, then slice the avocados and tomato.
7. Build each burger with garlic mayo, tomato, cheesy beef patty, bacon, avocado slices, and the top bun; serve right away.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic but extra satisfying: It has everything you want in a familiar burger: juicy beef, smoky bacon, melty cheese, creamy avocado, fresh tomato, and a rich garlic mayo.
Big flavor without complicated steps: A simple seasoning blend and a quick homemade sauce make the burger taste special while keeping the process easy.
Great balance of textures: Crisp bacon, soft avocado, a toasted bun, juicy tomato, and a seared beef patty make every bite feel complete.
Easy to cook indoors or outdoors: Use a cast-iron skillet, griddle, or grill depending on what you have and what sounds fun.

Grocery List

Produce: 2 ripe avocados, 1 large ripe tomato, 1 lime, and 1 large garlic clove
Meat: 1 1/4 pounds 80/20 ground beef and 8 slices thick-cut bacon
Dairy: 4 slices pepper jack cheese and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Bakery: 4 potato buns or brioche burger buns
Pantry: Mayonnaise, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and neutral oil such as avocado oil or canola oil if cooking in a skillet

Full Ingredients

For the Beef Patties

1 1/4 pounds 80/20 ground beef, cold
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided among the patties
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as avocado oil or canola oil, if cooking in a skillet

For the Bacon, Cheese, and Buns

8 slices thick-cut bacon
4 slices pepper jack cheese, about 1 ounce each
4 potato buns or brioche burger buns, split
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened, for toasting the buns

For the Avocado, Tomato, and Fresh Toppings

2 medium ripe avocados, sliced just before assembling
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice, for the avocado
1 pinch kosher salt, for the avocado
1 large ripe tomato, sliced into 4 thick slices, about 1/4 inch thick

For the Garlic Mayo

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced into a paste
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Avocado Bacon Burger With Garlic Mayo – Closeup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the bacon until crisp

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the 8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a single layer. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, depending on thickness, until the bacon is browned and crisp around the edges. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Keep the oven on only if you want to hold the bacon warm for a few minutes; otherwise, turn it off.

Step 2: Mix the garlic mayo

In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 finely grated garlic clove, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Taste and adjust with a tiny extra squeeze of lime if you want it brighter. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the burgers. The short rest helps the garlic flavor spread through the mayo.

Step 3: Shape the beef patties gently

Divide the cold ground beef into 4 equal portions, about 5 ounces each. Shape each portion into a loose patty about 3/4 inch thick and slightly wider than the bun, since burgers shrink as they cook. Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb; this helps the burger cook evenly and reduces puffing. Try not to overwork the meat, because a loosely formed patty stays juicier.

Step 4: Season the patties

In a small bowl, combine 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the patties right before cooking. Seasoning just before the patties hit the pan or grill helps the outside develop a savory crust without making the texture dense.

Step 5: Cook the burgers and melt the pepper jack

For a skillet: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon neutral oil and swirl to coat. Add the patties and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes. Flip and cook for 3 minutes more. Place 1 slice pepper jack cheese on each patty, then cook for 1 additional minute, until the cheese softens and the burger reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F for food safety.

For a grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400 degrees F. Clean and oil the grates. Grill the patties for 4 minutes on the first side, flip, cook for 3 minutes, then add the cheese and cook for 1 more minute, or until the patties reach 160 degrees F.

Step 6: Toast the buns

Spread the cut sides of the 4 buns with 1 tablespoon softened unsalted butter, dividing it evenly. Toast them cut-side down in a skillet over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or place them on the grill for about 30 to 60 seconds, until lightly golden. A toasted bun helps hold the garlic mayo and burger juices without getting soggy too quickly.

Step 7: Slice and season the avocado

Halve and pit the 2 ripe avocados, then slice the flesh. Gently toss or drizzle the slices with 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice and a pinch of kosher salt. The lime keeps the avocado tasting fresh and helps balance the richness of the bacon, cheese, and mayo.

Step 8: Assemble the burgers

Spread about 2 teaspoons garlic mayo on the bottom half of each toasted bun and about 2 teaspoons on the top half. Add 1 tomato slice to each bottom bun, then place a hot pepper jack-topped beef patty over the tomato. Add 2 slices of bacon to each burger, breaking the bacon in half if needed so it fits neatly. Finish with several avocado slices, close with the top bun, and serve immediately while the cheese is warm and the bacon is crisp.

Pro Tips

Use 80/20 beef for the best burger texture. Leaner beef can work, but 80/20 gives the patty the juiciness that makes this burger feel like a classic.
Do not press the patties while they cook. Pressing pushes out the flavorful juices and can make the burger dry.
Choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure. If they feel mushy or have sunken spots, they may be overripe.
Add cheese during the final minute. Pepper jack melts quickly, and adding it too early can cause it to slide off or over-melt.
Toast the buns well. The burger has creamy mayo, juicy tomato, and avocado, so a lightly crisp bun makes a big difference.

Variations

Spicy avocado bacon burger: Add 1 tablespoon pickled jalapenos to each burger and stir 1 teaspoon hot sauce into the garlic mayo.
Smoky BBQ version: Spread 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce on the bottom bun before adding the tomato, and use smoked pepper jack if you can find it.
Turkey avocado bacon burger: Swap the beef for 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the meat mixture, and cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Storage & Make-Ahead

These burgers are best assembled right before serving, but you can prep several parts ahead. Cook the bacon up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate it in an airtight container; rewarm it in a 350 degrees F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Mix the garlic mayo up to 3 days ahead and keep it refrigerated. Shape the beef patties up to 24 hours ahead, place parchment between them, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to cook. Leftover cooked patties can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until warmed through. Slice the avocado right before serving for the freshest color and texture.

Nutrition (per serving)