✔ Published · new copycat burger with oven bacon and grill or skillet options
This copycat Burger King Bacon King is pure indulgence: two juicy quarter-pound patties, melty American cheese and a mountain of thick-cut smoky bacon. Grab napkins, lots of them!
What Is the Bacon King? (Quick Answer)
The Bacon King is Burger King's heavyweight burger: two quarter-pound flame-grilled beef patties, American cheese, thick-cut smoked bacon, ketchup and creamy mayonnaise on a sesame seed bun. To make a copycat at home, oven-bake thick-cut bacon until crisp, grill eight 4-ounce patties to 160°F (71°C), melt cheese on top and stack two per toasted bun with plenty of bacon.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Bake the bacon in the oven while you shape the patties. It cooks flat and evenly crisp with zero splatter, and your stovetop stays free for the burgers. I do it this way every time.
Why You'll Love This Bacon King Copycat
- Two quarter-pound patties with charred, crusty edges and juicy middles.
- Thick-cut bacon in every bite, baked flat and crisp in the oven.
- Simple classic toppings: cheese, ketchup and mayo let the beef and bacon shine.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Go thick-cut. Thick bacon stays meaty and crisp without shattering, and it holds its own against two big patties.
- Dimple the patties. A shallow thumbprint in the center stops them puffing into meatballs as they cook. Flat patties stack better!
- Don't press while grilling. Squashing the patties with the spatula pushes out all those lovely juices. Hands off and let the grill do its thing.
- Check 160°F. Ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) in the center on an instant-read thermometer.
- Toast the buns. A buttery, golden bun stands up to all that juice instead of going soggy halfway through.
Copycat Burger King Bacon King
4
burgers15
minutes25
minutes1180
kcal40
minutesA copycat-style Bacon King: two quarter-pound beef patties grilled or seared to 160°F, topped with American cheese and stacked with oven-crisp thick-cut bacon, ketchup and mayonnaise on toasted sesame buns. Makes 4 big burgers.
Ingredients
- For the Bacon
12 slices thick-cut smoked bacon
- For the Burgers
2 pounds ground beef, 80/20
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 slices American cheese
4 large sesame seed hamburger buns
1 tablespoon butter, softened (for toasting the buns)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
Directions
- Cook the Bacon
- Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay the bacon in a single layer on a foil-lined sheet pan (or on a rack set in the pan) and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels and cut each slice in half.
- Grill the Patties
- Divide the beef into 8 portions of 4 ounces. Press each into a patty about 4 1/2 inches wide and 1/3 inch thick, with a slight dimple in the center so it stays flat. Season both sides with the salt and pepper.
- Heat a grill to high (450 to 500°F) or a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until well charred and 160°F (71°C) in the center. Top each with a slice of American cheese for the last minute so it melts.
- Build
- Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them on the grill or in the skillet for 30 to 60 seconds, until golden. Spread mayonnaise on each bottom bun and ketchup on each top bun.
- On each bottom bun, stack a cheesy patty, a layer of bacon (about 3 half slices), the second cheesy patty and 3 more half slices of bacon. Close with the top bun and serve right away.
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Bacon King vs. Whopper vs. Big King
| Burger | Beef | Toppings |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon King (this copycat) | 2 quarter-pound patties | American cheese, thick-cut bacon, ketchup, mayo |
| Whopper | 1 large thin patty | Mayo, ketchup, pickles, onion, tomato, lettuce |
| Big King | 2 thin patties | King sauce, cheese, lettuce, onion, pickles |
Grill, Skillet or Griddle
| Method | Heat | Patty time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grill | High, 450 to 500°F | 3 to 4 min per side | Best char and smoky flavor |
| Cast-iron skillet | Medium-high | 3 to 4 min per side | Great crust; cook in 2 batches |
| Flat-top griddle | 400°F | 3 to 4 min per side | Toast the buns alongside |
| Reheat leftovers | 350°F oven | 8 to 10 min | Patties only, to 165°F |
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Patties: shape them up to 1 day ahead, layer between parchment and keep covered in the fridge.
- Bacon: bake it up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate. Rewarm on a sheet pan at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Leftovers: refrigerate cooked patties within 2 hours for up to 3 days and reheat to 165°F. Build the burger fresh.
More Burger King Copycat Recipes
Love a big burger? Try our Angry Whopper for a spicy kick, a copycat Whopper or the double-patty Big King. Add Burger King onion rings or chicken fries on the side. For a smaller, budget-friendly burger, try our copycat Burger King Rodeo Burger with BBQ sauce and onion rings.
Browse all of our Burger King copycat recipes for more drive-thru favorites to make at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on a Burger King Bacon King?
Burger King describes it as two quarter-pound flame-grilled beef patties, American cheese, thick-cut smoked bacon, ketchup and mayonnaise on a sesame seed bun. This copycat follows that build at home.
How many calories are in a homemade Bacon King?
About 1,180 calories per burger with 80/20 beef, 6 half slices of thick-cut bacon and 2 slices of cheese. Use 90/10 beef and center-cut bacon to bring it down a little.
Can I cook the patties in a skillet?
Yes. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until browned and 160°F (71°C) in the center. A grill pan gives you char marks too.
Can I make a smaller version?
Absolutely. Use one 4-ounce patty and 3 half slices of bacon per bun for a single Bacon King-style burger, or make sliders with 2-ounce patties.
What should I serve with it?
Fries, onion rings or chicken fries make it a full drive-thru-style meal. A crunchy coleslaw is a nice fresh contrast to all that richness.
