CJ's whiskey bacon jam smash burger brings the perfect mix of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors, all piled onto a hearty pretzel bun. With rich caramelized onions, pepper jack, and a bit of whiskey flair, this burger stands in a league of its own. As Burger Week continues, CJ believes if there’s a better burger for the Blackstone, they haven’t found it yet.

Ingredients
For the Bacon Jam
2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
6-8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp coarse black pepper
2 tbsp bourbon or whiskey of choice

For the Smash Burger
1 lb 80/20 ground beef, divided into 5 equal portions
5 slices American cheese
5 slices pepper jack cheese
Romaine lettuce leaves
1 tomato, sliced
Dijon mustard
5 pretzel hamburger buns

Directions
For the Bacon Jam
1. Preheat the Griddle: Set your Blackstone griddle to medium-low heat.

2. Cook the Bacon: Place the chopped bacon on the griddle. Cook until crispy, then move the cooked bacon to a cooler zone on the griddle, leaving some of the rendered bacon grease.

3. Caramelize the Onions: Add the thinly sliced onions to the bacon grease. Stir continuously and cook for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown and caramelized.

4. Season and Add Whiskey: Once the onions are caramelized, add the balsamic vinegar, smoked paprika, chili powder, and coarse black pepper. Stir to combine, then pour in the whiskey. Let the mixture cook down and thicken for about 3-5 minutes. Add the cooked bacon back into the mixture, then move the bacon jam to a cooler area on the griddle to keep warm.

For the Smash Burgers
1. Preheat the Griddle: Turn up the heat to high for a good sear.

2. Shape and Smash the Burgers: Place each beef portion on the hot griddle. Use a large spatula or burger press to press down firmly on each portion, smashing it flat. Pro Tip: If you don’t have parchment paper, allow each beef ball to cook for about 30 seconds before flipping and smashing to avoid sticking.

3. Flip and Add Cheese: Flip the burgers and immediately top each patty with a slice of American cheese and a slice of pepper jack cheese. Let the cheese melt as the burgers finish cooking, about 1-2 minutes.

Assemble the Burgers
1. Toast the Buns: While the burgers cook, place the pretzel buns cut-side down on the griddle to toast lightly.

2. Assemble the Burgers: Spread Dijon mustard on the bottom half of each toasted pretzel bun. Add romaine lettuce and a slice of tomato. Place a cheesy smash burger on top, then add a generous spoonful of whiskey bacon jam.

3. Serve: Top each burger with the remaining bun and serve hot off the griddle. Enjoy!

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