How to Make a Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger That Will Blow Your Mind

If you’re looking to take your burger game to the next level, the Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger is about to become your new obsession.

This juicy burger combines the perfect smash technique with sweet and savory bacon jam and the creamy richness of peanut butter — all stacked between golden brioche buns. It’s a flavor bomb of salty, sweet, smoky, and nutty in every bite.

In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the ultimate peanut butter bacon jam burger, including how to cook the perfect burger patty, make homemade bacon jam, and build a mouthwatering peanut butter burger that you’ll want to make again and again.

Why This Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger Works

At first glance, peanut butter on a burger might raise some eyebrows. But trust us, it works. The rich, nutty flavor of creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter pairs incredibly well with the salty bacon, the sweet and tangy jam, and the juicy smashburger patties.

Combined with the buttery softness of brioche buns, this burger hits every flavor note — sweet, salty, savory, smoky, and just the right amount of umami.

Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger
Photos from this recipe are from Brittany Scott (Instagram: @the_salted_bite)

Ingredients You’ll Need for Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger

To build the ultimate jelly smash burger, you’ll need high-quality ingredients that bring both flavor and texture to the table.

For the Burger:

  • 2 pounds of 80/20 ground beef
  • 8 slices of American or pepper jack cheese
  • 2 tablespoons of your favorite burger seasoning
  • 4 brioche burger buns
  • 4 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
  • Mayo for toasting buns

For the Bacon Jam:

  • 1 pound thick cut bacon, diced
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4 oz bourbon (optional, but highly recommended)
Bacon Jam ingredients.

Step 1: Make the Bacon Jam

The heart and soul of this peanut butter bacon jam burger is the bacon jam. It’s sweet, savory, tangy, and just a little smoky.

Dice the thick cut bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy.

Bacon frying in a skillet for bacon jam.

Remove the bacon and set it aside on paper towels to drain. Pour out most of the bacon fat, but leave just enough to cook the onions.

Add the diced onions to the skillet and cook for 10-15 minutes until soft and beginning to caramelize.

Add the cooked bacon back into the skillet. Stir in the brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and bourbon.

Bacon jam ingredients in a skillet.

Let the mixture simmer on medium-low heat for 10 minutes until thickened and jammy.

This bacon jam is next-level good. You might want to make extra for toast, eggs, or anything else that needs a little sweet-savory kick.

Step 2: Prepare the Smashburger Patties

Smashburgers are all about crispy edges and juicy centers. Here’s how to get that perfect sear.

Preheat your griddle or cast-iron pan to medium-high heat.

Roll the ground beef into ¼-pound balls. Don’t overwork the meat — you want it loosely packed.

burger balls for smash burgers.

Place the balls of ground beef on the hot griddle spaced out evenly. When you smash the burgers, they will be bigger, so you want to avoid them running into each other.

Use a burger press or heavy spatula to smash them down until they’re thin.

Season each burger patty with your favorite burger seasoning.

Smashburger seasoned on the griddle.

After 2-3 minutes, flip the burgers and top with American cheese (or pepper jack for some heat). Let them cook for another 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges are crispy.

Smashburgers with cheese on them.

Cook 2 or 3 patties per burger for an ultra-stacked, flavor-packed experience.

Step 3: Toast the Buns

Toasting your buns is a small step that makes a huge difference in both flavor and texture.

Spread a thin layer of mayo on the insides of your brioche buns — this helps them toast up golden and crispy.

Place them cut-side down on the griddle and toast for 2-3 minutes until beautifully golden brown.

burger buns toasting on the griddle.

Step 4: Assemble the Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Burger

This is where everything comes together. It’s messy, it’s indulgent, and it’s everything a juicy burger should be.

Start with the Bottom Bun: Place 2 or 3 burger patties directly on the bottom bun.

Spoon about ¼ cup of that rich, sticky bacon jam over the top of the patties.

Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger

On the inside of the top bun, spread a generous layer of chunky peanut butter or creamy peanut butter, depending on your preference. Let the heat from the burger slightly melt the peanut butter for a gooey, luscious finish.

Peanut butter inside of a bun.

Crown your creation with the top bun and gently press down so everything melds together.

Peanut butter bacon jam smash burger.

Serve It Up

Serve your peanut butter burger hot with a side of crispy fries and a cold drink. Whether it’s a craft beer, soda, or even a milkshake, you’ll want something refreshing to cut through the richness of the burger.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Smashburger

  • Use 80/20 Ground Beef: The fat content helps create a juicy, flavorful burger with crispy edges.
  • Smash Immediately: Get those burger balls onto the griddle and smash them right away to maximize surface contact for the perfect sear.
  • Layer the Cheese: Don’t be afraid to go double or triple cheese for extra meltiness.
  • Customize Your Heat: Want some spice? Add jalapeños or use a spicy peanut butter.
  • Use High-Quality Buns: Brioche buns are soft yet sturdy enough to hold all the melty, juicy goodness without falling apart.

Why Peanut Butter on a Burger Works

It might sound weird at first, but the combo of peanut butter and beef has been popularized in gourmet burger joints across the country.

The salty, nutty depth of peanut butter enhances the meatiness of the burger and adds a creamy texture that plays beautifully with the crunchy edges of a good smashburger.

Add in the sweet, tangy bacon jam and you’ve got a burger that’s truly next level.

Final Thoughts

The Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger is the ultimate flavor-packed burger that pushes the boundaries in all the right ways. With crispy burger patties, gooey cheese, rich bacon jam, and nutty peanut butter, every bite delivers bold and unexpected flavor.

Whether you’re making this for a weekend cookout, game day gathering, or just because you’re craving something wild, this peanut butter bacon jam burger is guaranteed to impress.

So fire up that griddle and get ready to make the best smash burger of your life. Happy cooking!

More Delicious Burgers to Try!

Juicy Lucy Burger with Bacon Jam
Sink your teeth into this molten cheese-filled Juicy Lucy Burger, topped with sweet and savory bacon jam. Every bite delivers a burst of creamy, smoky flavor, perfectly balanced with a juicy beef patty and toasted bun. It’s the ultimate indulgence for burger lovers who crave bold, gooey goodness.

Smoked Cheese Stuffed Burger
This Smoked Cheese Stuffed Burger is a flavor-packed masterpiece, featuring a juicy beef patty filled with melty, smoky cheese. Grilled to perfection and stacked with your favorite toppings, it delivers rich, bold flavor in every bite. A backyard BBQ favorite that takes stuffed burgers to the next level.

Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders
Mini in size, massive in flavor — these Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders are perfect for parties or game day. Juicy patties are topped with melted cheese and a spoonful of sweet, smoky bacon jam, all tucked into soft slider buns. An irresistible bite-sized burger everyone will crave.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Burger
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Burger is a savory sensation stacked with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and creamy ranch dressing. Served on a toasted bun with fresh toppings, it’s the perfect balance of juicy, crunchy, and creamy — a crowd-pleasing favorite for lunch, dinner, or weekend grilling.

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Peanut Butter Bacon jam Burger

Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger

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This Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger is next level! Crispy, juicy burger topped with cheese, bacon jam and chunky peanut butter.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 46 burgers 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds of 80/20 ground beef
  • 8 slices of pepper jack cheese
  • 2 tbsp of burger seasoning
  • 4 Brioche Burger Buns
  • 4 tbsp Chunky Peanut Butter

Bacon Jam

  • 1 pound of thick cut bacon
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4 oz bourbon

Instructions

  • Author: Nick Nesgoda
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

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