Bacon Goat Cheese Burger with Pepper Jam
This goat cheese burger combines crispy bacon, creamy goat cheese, and a sweet-spicy peach pepper jam for a flavor-packed twist on the classic burger.
I’ll give you variations and substitutions where I can, plus helpful tips and tricks for success. Read on for this info as well as the recipe. If you’d like to skip straight to the recipe, use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.
You may also be interested in my pork burger and my lamb burger recipes. For ease of browsing, you can find all of my burger and sandwich recipes in one place.
Pook’s Pantry participates in affiliate programs. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may earn a small commission. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
Goat cheese burger recipe
We really love a good burger in our house and this one was a definite winner. A juicy, well-seasoned beef patty topped with creamy goat cheese and sweet heat from pepper jam. Add salty, crispy bacon, and you’ve got yourself one tasty burger.
About 10 years ago, we were at a food truck festival. There was one burger truck that stood out. They made a burger topped with strawberry jam, and that’s where the idea for this burger was born. The salty-sweet combination is out of this world.
What you need to know
You can make the hamburger patties a day ahead of time. This is especially helpful if you are making more than a couple of burgers. Place them on a sheet pan and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight, then cook when you are ready.
The bacon will cook in the oven in about the same amount of time it takes for the burgers to cook and rest. When you take the burgers off the heat, let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the burger.
Ingredients
- Ground beef – I used ground chuck. It is my preference for burgers. I find it makes a juicy burger and the fat ratio (15 – 20%) is perfect.
- Bacon – Whatever bacon you have is fine, as long as it’s not turkey bacon. I wouldn’t recommend that for this burger.
- Goat cheese – You want creamy goat cheese for these burgers, not a hard cheese.
- Peach pepper jam – Store-bought or homemade pepper jam. I make peach pepper jam every summer, so that’s what I used.
- Salt, pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder – This seasons the burger patties.
How to make
Here’s a quick summary of how to make goat cheese burgers. Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
- Prep – I portion out 5 ounces for each burger, using this handy kitchen scale.
- Cook – In a pre-heated cast iron skillet, cook the burger for 5 minutes without turning it.
- Flip – Cook the other side of the burger for a few more minutes.
- Top – Place a puck of goat cheese on top of the warm burgers while they are resting.
Goat cheese burger FAQ’s
If each patty weighs roughly the same, they will cook at the same rate. This ensures they cook evenly, and they are all done at approximately the same time.
If you are making a burger for someone who isn’t a goat cheese fan, consider feta or ricotta for a creamier option.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Storage / Freezing Information
To store: Store leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze: Place uncooked burger patties in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Variations and substitutions
- Spicy – Add in a dash of hot sauce to give it an extra spicy kick.
- Prefer no heat? – Omit the pepper jam and use plain peach jam, or fig jam.
- Bacon lovers – For the serious bacon lovers, try topping it with my sweet bacon jam.
Serving suggestions
Serve these burgers with pimento cheese potato salad or grilled potato wedges.
Helpful tools and equipment
- While I have cooked burgers on the grill, a hot cast iron pan delivers an awesome burger.
- Parchment paper sheets are MUCH easier to use than tearing pieces off of a roll.
Please share
If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!
I hope you love this goat cheese burger recipe as much as we do! Please consider rating and/or commenting.
Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.
Bacon Goat Cheese Burger
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds ground chuck 567g
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- 8 strips bacon cooked
- 4 ounces goat cheese or more if you like
- 8 leaves lettuce
- ⅓ cup pepper jam homemade or store-bought
- 4 burger buns
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground chuck with salt, pepper, granulated garlic and granulated onion. Mix gently to combine (try not to work the mixture too much).Divide mixture into 4 equal portions. With damp hands, flatten into patties, making a slight divot in the center of each patty. Place on a sheet pan and slide into the refrigerator to chill until ready to cook.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Pull burgers out of the fridge.
- Place 2 burgers in the preheated pan and cook 5 minutes without touching (or longer if you like a well-done burger). It's ready to flip when you see the juices pool in the middle. Flip, reduce heat to medium and cook for an additional 3 – 4 minutes. Remove from heat, then top each burger with an ounce of goat cheese.
- Let burgers rest for 5 minutes. While the first two are resting, repeat cooking process with remaining burgers. *If you have a large enough pan, you can cook all 4 at the same time.
- Assemble burgers: Place lettuce on bottom bun, add 2 slices of bacon, goat cheese burger and top with pepper jam. Cover with top bun and serve.
Notes
- You can cook burgers cold. They do not need to come to full room temperature.
- Cook bacon in the oven: 400°F / 200°C for 15 – 18 minutes, depending on your oven, and if you are using thick cut bacon, or thinner sliced bacon. Place bacon on a rack set inside of a sheet pan. They fat will drip off as it cooks, leaving you with perfectly cooked, crispy bacon.
Nutrition
Buy me a coffee? If you ever wondered how you can lend a hand, show a little support or just say “thanks” for the recipes? You can “buy me a coffee” to help me keep the free recipes coming.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂
Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send you weekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!
Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe (other than for personal use) without prior written permission. Thank you!
Originally published 5/21/18, most recent update 7/7/25.
I am a total sucker for goat cheese!! I could eat it with a spoon. SO, you know this burger is going on the menu!!
YEAH!!!! A girl after my own heart, Christie!
Sissy, did you use that peach pepper jam to make these?! Oh! Now I am all Super Hungry!
I did, Sissy! It is so dang good!!! xx
Wow, I need to try this flavor-packed burger this week! These look incredible!