Rodeo Smashburger

If you love a loaded rodeo burger, this Rodeo Smashburger brings everything you want into one seriously satisfying bite.

Crispy bacon, golden onion rings, melted cheese, and a tangy BBQ sauce come together on a toasted brioche bun with juicy smashburger patties. Best of all, this easy burger comes together quickly on a hot griddle, making it one of our favorite fun recipes for a backyard BBQ or weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Rodeo Smashburger Recipe

First, these smashburgers cook quickly while developing those crispy, caramelized edges that make a great smashburger so irresistible. Meanwhile, the thick-cut bacon adds a salty crunch, while the crispy onion rings bring even more texture.

Next, the homemade burger sauce combines mayo and BBQ sauce for a creamy, tangy finish. Finally, everything gets stacked onto a toasted brioche bun with plenty of melted cheese.

In other words, this Rodeo Smashburger delivers big restaurant-style flavor without requiring a complicated recipe.

Rodeo Smashburger Ingredients

• 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
• 2 brioche buns
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup BBQ sauce
• 4 onion rings
• 4 slices cheese
• 2 tablespoons burger seasoning

Using 80/20 ground beef gives the patties enough fat to stay juicy while creating flavorful crispy edges on the hot griddle.

How to Make a Rodeo Smashburger

1. Cook the Bacon

Begin by cooking the bacon until it becomes nice and crispy.

Once finished, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels and set it aside.

2. Crisp the Onion Rings

Next, place the onion rings in the air fryer and cook them according to the package directions. Continue until they are hot and crispy.

3. Smash the Burgers

Divide the ground beef into four equal balls.

Place the beef balls onto a hot griddle and immediately smash each one firmly with a burger press.

Season the patties with burger seasoning, making sure to cover the surface evenly.

4. Flip and Add Cheese

After approximately 3 minutes, flip each patty. Immediately place one slice of cheese on top of each burger patty.

Let the burgers continue cooking until the cheese melts and the edges become crispy.

5. Toast the Brioche Buns

Meanwhile, spread mayonnaise over the inside of each brioche bun.

Place the buns mayonnaise-side down on the hot griddle. Toast them until the inside becomes golden brown, then remove them from the griddle.

6. Make the Burger Sauce

While the burgers finish cooking, combine the mayonnaise and BBQ sauce in a small bowl.

Stir until smooth and fully combined.

The result is a creamy BBQ sauce that adds just the right amount of tangy flavor to the burger.

7. Assemble the Rodeo Smashburger

Once the cheese has melted, remove the burger patties from the griddle. Place two cheesy smashburger patties onto each toasted brioche bun.

Then, add two slices of crispy bacon and two crispy onion rings. Finally, drizzle or spread the BBQ burger sauce over the top. Place the toasted bun on top, and dive right in!

Expert Tips On Making a Rodeo Smashburger 

• Use a hot griddle: A properly heated cooking surface helps create those crispy smashburger edges.
• Do not overwork the beef: Form the meat into loose balls so the patties remain tender after smashing.
• Smash immediately: Press the beef as soon as it hits the hot griddle for the best crust.
• Toast the buns: The toasted brioche adds texture and helps prevent the bun from becoming soggy.
• Keep the bacon crispy: Crispy bacon provides the perfect contrast to the juicy burgers and creamy sauce.

Rodeo Smashburger Variations

Want to turn up the heat? Add sliced jalapeños or your favorite hot BBQ sauce to the burger sauce.

For another fun twist, add crushed hot Cheetos over the onion rings for extra crunch and heat. You can also swap the cheese for pepper jack or another favorite variety.

If you are serving these burgers for a BBQ, pair them with your favorite side dish, such as crispy fries, potato salad, or coleslaw.

Storage

For the best results, store leftover burger patties, bacon, onion rings, sauce, and buns separately in airtight containers.

Reheat the burger patties and bacon on a skillet or griddle. Meanwhile, crisp the onion rings in the air fryer before assembling the burgers again.

FAQs About Rodeo Smashburger 

What makes a smashburger different from a regular burger? A smashburger starts with a ball of ground beef that gets firmly pressed onto a hot cooking surface. This creates a thin patty with crispy, browned edges and a flavorful crust.

What BBQ sauce works best for this recipe? Use your favorite BBQ sauce. A tangy BBQ sauce works especially well because it balances the rich beef, bacon, cheese, and creamy mayo.

Can I make these burgers without a griddle? Absolutely. A large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan works well. Just make sure the cooking surface gets very hot before adding the beef.

Final Thoughts

This Rodeo Smashburger brings the best parts of a loaded burger together in one irresistible stack. First, crispy bacon adds a savory crunch. Next, golden onion rings bring even more texture, while melted cheese adds a rich, creamy finish. Meanwhile, the toasted brioche bun provides the perfect base for all those bold flavors. Finally, creamy BBQ sauce ties everything together, so every bite delivers the smoky, savory flavors you expect from a classic rodeo burger.

So, the next time you are craving smashburgers, skip the restaurant menu and fire up the hot griddle. These burgers are quick, loaded with flavor, and easy enough to make whenever the craving hits.

More Delicious Smashburger Recipes

Bacon Jam Brisket Burger – Smoky brisket, juicy beef, crispy bacon, and sweet-savory bacon jam come together in this over-the-top burger loaded with incredible BBQ flavor.

Peanut Butter Bacon Jam Smashburger – Crispy smashburger edges, creamy peanut butter, and sweet-savory bacon jam create an unexpected flavor combination that makes this smashburger seriously hard to resist.

Pimento Cheese Patty Melt – Juicy beef, creamy pimento cheese, caramelized onions, and toasted bread come together in this indulgent patty melt packed with Southern-inspired flavor.

Steak Animal Style Fries – Crispy fries get loaded with tender steak, melted cheese, caramelized onions, and creamy sauce for an irresistible BBQ-inspired twist on loaded fries.

Smash Burgers with Baconnaise Sauce – Crispy-edged smashburgers get topped with rich, smoky baconnaise sauce for an indulgent burger that delivers bold bacon flavor in every bite.

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