Pineapple Bacon Burger BBQ (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef (93%-7% fat ratio)
02 - 4 tablespoons smoky style barbecue sauce, divided
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
05 - 8 slices smoked bacon, uncooked
06 - 4 slices fresh pineapple, ½ inch thick with core removed
07 - 4 bakery style burger buns, Brioche style used

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and an oven safe wire rack and set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, salt and black pepper. Avoid overworking the meat to prevent toughness.
03 - Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping them into patties approximately 3 ½ inches in diameter and ½ inch thick.
04 - Lay two bacon slices in a criss-cross pattern and place one patty in the center, followed by a pineapple slice. Wrap bacon around them and secure with a toothpick. Repeat for remaining patties.
05 - Place wrapped patties on the prepared sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Brush remaining barbecue sauce onto bacon and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
06 - Toast burger buns, if desired, while burgers are cooking.
07 - Remove burgers from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve on buns with optional toppings or condiments like lettuce, onions, or mayonnaise.

# Notes:

01 - The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F-165°F for safe consumption. Adjust cook time as needed for desired doneness.
02 - Substitute fresh pineapple slices with canned rings; pat dry before use.
03 - Thick smoky barbecue sauce variants like sweet & spicy or honey barbecue enhance flavor.
04 - Avoid thick-cut bacon as it doesn't crisp well during burger cooking.