If you haven't already prepared the Coca-Cola Caramelized onions, prepare those first. If you have already prepared them, skip this step.
In a large bowl, use clean hands to mix together the ground beef, bbq sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Divide the meat mixture into six even portions and shape them into patties. Make an indention in the middle of the burgers so they don’t plump in the center while grilling. Place the burger patties on a tray until ready to grill.
Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, add the burgers and cook for about 5-8 minutes on the first side. Then, flip them over and continue to cook until your desired temperature is reached.
Take the burgers off the heat and place them on a clean tray. Immediately add a slice of cheese to each burger and allow it to melt.
Place a bottom of a bun on your serving plate. Top with lettuce and a slice of tomato. Add a burger patty, followed by a piece of bacon broken in half. Top with some of the Coca-Cola onions and add the top bun.
Serve immediately.
Notes
When making burgers, it's best to use fresh, lean ground beef with at least 80% lean meat and 20% fat. This will give your burgers a juicy and flavorful texture.
The addition of bbq sauce to the burger mix makes it sweet and addictive. However, the patties will be a little softer from the added sauce. Just a warning to be careful while flipping the burgers on the grill so they don’t fall apart. You can also cook them in a skillet on the stove or bake them.
If you love sauce, you can add more bbq sauce to the burger when serving. You can also add ranch, honey mustard, mayo, ketchup, A1 sauce, or mustard.
Other yummy cheeses to consider - American, white cheddar, pepper jack, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Fontina, and Gruyere.
Other yummy toppings ideas - avocado, pickles, jalapenos, or a fried egg.
Store the ingredients separately for any leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat the burger in the microwave or oven until warm throughout. Reheat the onions in the microwave or skillet until warm. You can also freeze any burgers or onion leftovers for up to 3 months.
The best way to know when your burgers are done is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The FDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure it's safe to eat.