BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns Recipe

Savory, hearty, and incredibly satisfying, these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns make a family-friendly meal that’s simple to prepare and easy to reheat for busy nights or game day.

Cheeseburger Buns

This idea grew from a favorite BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger flatbread variation. I wanted something handheld and portable, so I turned the filling into baked, meat-filled buns. The result is a comforting hybrid of a sloppy joe and a cheeseburger, wrapped in soft homemade bread.

Don’t be intimidated by yeast dough — the recipe is forgiving. A handheld mixer or even a wooden spoon will work for mixing, and if time is tight you can use store-bought dough with great results. These buns also reheat wonderfully, so they’re ideal for make-ahead meals, leftovers, or bringing to a potluck.

Serve warm for the best texture and flavor. The BBQ sauce and bacon add smoky-sweet and salty elements that pair perfectly with melty cheddar and seasoned ground beef. Your family will love them.

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns: Ingredients & Substitutions

Below are the ingredients with helpful notes and substitutions to suit your pantry and preferences.

Ingredients

For the dough

• Bread flour — preferred for better texture; all-purpose flour can be used in a pinch.
• Active dry yeast and warm water — proof the yeast in 110–115°F water for best rise.
• Sugar, large egg, and salt — standard dough ingredients for flavor and structure.
• Butter — melted, for brushing the buns before baking for a golden finish.

For the filling

• 1 pound lean ground beef — the base of the filling; drain excess fat after browning.
• 1 small onion, chopped — cooked with the beef for added flavor.
• Cooked, crumbled bacon — for a crunchy, smoky-salty bite.
• BBQ sauce, to taste — choose your favorite style (regular, smoky, or sweet).
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese — use sharp or mild depending on preference.
• 2 tablespoons melted butter — to brush on top of buns before baking.

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns: FAQs

Other recipes you may enjoy

• BBQ Bacon Jalapeno Cheddar Stuffed Burgers
• Sloppy José Sandwiches
• Runzas (meat-filled buns)
• BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
• Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns — Recipe Summary

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Hand mixer or wooden spoon
• Skillet for browning beef
• Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Rolling pin or hands to shape dough

Ingredients (detailed)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let sit briefly until foamy.
2. Add sugar, egg, salt, and 1 cup of flour. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer for about 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough.
3. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6–8 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turn once to coat, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Meanwhile, in a skillet brown and crumble the ground beef with the chopped onion over medium-high heat until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
5. Mix the cooked bacon and shredded cheddar into the beef. Add BBQ sauce to taste — aim for a thick, not overly sloppy, consistency. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool.
6. Punch down the risen dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 6-inch circle. Spoon about one-eighth of the cooled filling onto each circle.
7. Fold the dough over the filling to meet in the center, pinching edges securely to seal. Place each bun seam-side down on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Cover and let buns rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. Brush the tops with melted butter.
9. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Notes

• Baked buns keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for about 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven after thawing frozen buns.
• If you prefer a quicker option, use pre-made dough or dinner rolls and stuff them with the prepared filling before baking.
• Adjust BBQ sauce and cheese levels to suit personal taste; smoked cheddar or a flavored BBQ sauce are tasty variations.

Nutrition (approximate)

Serving size: 1 bun — Calories: ~584 kcal; Carbohydrates: ~32 g; Protein: ~30 g; Fat: ~37 g. Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.

Originally published on November 8, 2012. Updated on August 15, 2022.