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Forget ketchup, a better burger needs this condiment instead

By Cristine Struble

The Burger, a half-pound Wisconsin beef patty with two slices of American cheese and grilled onions on a brioche bun, is paired with a Bell's Two Hearted Ale at Camino in Milwaukee's Walker's Point neighborhood.
The Burger, a half-pound Wisconsin beef patty with two slices of American cheese and grilled onions on a brioche bun, is paired with a Bell's Two Hearted Ale at Camino in Milwaukee's Walker's Point neighborhood. / Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal
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The picture perfect, juicy burger offers the most succulent, delicious flavor. While some people smother ketchup, mustard, and other condiments on that patty, another sauce satisfies with a bolder taste. It is time to upgrade that better burger with bacon jam.

The phrase is said time and again, everything is better with bacon. While quick service restaurants tout their best in the business bacon on an over the top burger, those slices are not the only way to enjoy that unctuous flavor. Transforming that bacon into a bacon jam is the burger upgrade that everyone will want to try.

Tyson Foods Chef and Director of Culinary Thomas Wenrich has a bevvy of better burger tips for the home cook. Even though professional chefs often make grilling look simple, a few easy to master cooking techniques can make the novice even feel like a master.

For example, a small pat of butter to finish a burger can keep it juicy. It is similar to how chefs on those food television shows baste proteins in butter. The extra fat helps to keep the burger juicy.

While butter works, bacon fat can be another option. Consider reserving some of that bacon fat as a burger baster. Not only does it keep the burger from becoming dry, it is another layer of bacon flavor.

Since a burger is better with toppings, including bacon, it is time to swap that boring ketchup, mustard, or other condiments for something with more flavor. Bacon jam is the answer.

Wenrich recommends building a better burger with complimentary flavors and textures. Since a simple condiment can just slide off the bun, a sweet, tangy bacon jam has the viscosity to ensure that every bite has that rich flavor.

Getting hungry to try that flavor for yourself? Here’s how to make Wright Brand Bacon Jam.

Wright Brand Bacon Jam

Ingredients

Wright Brand Bacon – ¼” Strips 1.5 lb (1 Pack)

Onion, yellow, diced 1 Onion

Garlic, Minced 3 cloves

Brown Sugar ½ Cup

Maple Syrup 1/3 Cup

Apple Cider Vinegar 1/3 Cup

Cayenne Pepper 2 tsp

Directions:

In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and reserve half the bacon fat for cooking.

Add diced onion and cook over medium low heat, stirring frequently. Cook onions golden and tender.

Stir in bacon and all remaining ingredients to the pan. Cook over medium heat, reducing to a syrupy thick glaze.

Allow for the jam to cool to room temperature and serve.

While the bacon jam creates a better burger, the condiment can be served in more places than just between two buns. It can be a side for crudite, paired with a cheese board, or even served with brunch. To borrow that old phrase, anything can be better with bacon jam.

This summer, avoid another boring, bland burger. Upgrade that flavor with some bacon jam and everyone will appreciate the ingredient upgrade.

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