Grilled venison burgers stuffed with jalapeno and cheese, topped with bacon and grilled onions.

Ingredients

Spicy Ranch Sauce:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 4 green onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeno chile
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Worcestershire-Coffee Glaze:

  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee crystals
  • 2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Burgers:

  • 2 pounds ground beef (or ground deer)
  • 1 small onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chopped seeded jalapeno chile
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 16 bacon slices
  • nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 8 hamburger buns or pita breads
  • 8 lettuce leaves
  • 2 cups coarsely shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
  • assorted additional toppings (such as tomato and grilled onion slices)

Steps

  1. For spicy ranch sauce, whisk all ingredients in medium bowl to blend and season sauce with salt and pepper.
  2. For burgers, gently mix all burger ingredients in large bowl and form mixture into eight 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick patties. Place on small baking sheet, cover and chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
  3. For glaze, stir corn syrup, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, coffee crystals, and brown sugar in small saucepan over medium heat until coffee is dissolved. Remove from heat, whisk in butter, and season glaze to taste with salt and pepper.
  4. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat).
  5. Working in batches if necessary, cook bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp and brown. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain.
  6. Spray grill rack with nonstick spray and toast buns until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
  7. Transfer buns, cut side up, to plates and place lettuce on each bun bottom.
  8. Grill burgers 5 minutes, basting with glaze.
  9. Turn burgers, baste with glaze, and grill until cooked to desired doneness, about 5 minutes longer for medium.
  10. Press cheese atop each burger and allow cheese to melt.
  11. Place some sauce, then 1 burger on each bun bottom.
  12. Top each with 2 slices bacon and desired additional toppings.
  13. Cover with bun top and serve with remaining sauce.

Notes

  • Makes 8 servings.