The Stand Alone Bacon Cheeseburger

Do you ever miss eating a juicy burger on a bun?

So do I! My burger always seems boring without my beloved bun. However, my stomach does not love buns as much as I do, so they're a thing of the past for me. Since then, I've been on the search for ways to add flavor without using FODMAPs, which has brought us to our two main heroes.

Green onion and bacon! Who doesn't love bacon? This burger is packed with flavor, making the no-bun lifestyle much more bearable. That's why I decided to call these 'stand alone' bacon cheeseburgers. They're so yummy that you don't need the bun. And dare I say, some of you may not even miss it!

The cheese is also a pretty important flavor here, but not everyone eats dairy. Cheese is a sort of gray area in the paleo world. I think it is okay to have in moderation and is okay to eat if your body tolerates it well. Your food choices are all about making the best decisions for healing your body; do what is best for you. If you do not eat dairy, you can use vegan cheeses, or homemade dairy free cheese of your choice.

These beauties will surely be a hit at your next cookout. They'll impress everyone from your picky eaters to your food critics. Serve them with your favorite side dishes and get the party started!

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs. grass-fed ground beef
• 1/2 cup shredded sheep milk cheddar cheese (omit or replace with vegan / homemade dairy free cheese for paleo and GAPS option)
• 5 slices of uncured bacon, chopped into bits
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion (green section only)
• 1 tsp. garlic infused olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil (plus extra for garnishing)
• Optional: brie or cheese variety of choice for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to high.
2. Cook slices of bacon until crisp while waiting for grill to heat.
3. Roughly chop bacon slices and green onion (green part only).
4. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and thoroughly incorporate with the ground beef.
5. Divide mixture evenly into four patties and place on grill.
6. Cook for 15 minutes or as desired.
7. If you tolerate dairy, top with brie cheese and allow to melt. Otherwise preferred dairy free cheese.
8. Garnish with basil and serve.

You can top your burger with whatever condiments you like, the flavors used are very versatile.

We love to eat these burgers year-round, but there's just something special about having them on a summer night. Get your grill sizzling and everybody's mouth watering with these babies!
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A Spunky Inquiry:
What's your favorite cheese replacement?