Blue Cheese and Pancetta Christmas Burger
Celebrate the holidays with a Christmas burger stacked with smoky beef, crispy pancetta, tangy blue cheese, and cranberry sauce.
Blue Cheese and Pancetta Christmas Burger
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Dinner
Cuisine
American
Author:
This recipe comes to us from Tony Ramirez (aka TFTI BBQ), culinary influencer, backyard pitmaster, and friend of Montana Knife Company.
Servings
4
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Calories
1370
I stumbled across this Christmas burger recipe online, and the ingredient combination stopped me in my tracks. Blue cheese on a burger? During the holidays?
I had to try it.
What started as curiosity turned into one of my favorite Christmas burger ideas I’ve ever tested. The tangy blue cheese dressing cuts through the rich beef, while the crispy pancetta adds a salty crunch, and the cranberry sauce brings a subtle sweetness that pulls it all together. It’s the kind of Christmas burger that makes you wonder why you haven’t been doing this for years.
I use pre-formed half-pound patties for this recipe. They come ready to slap on the grill, which means less prep and more time enjoying the holidays with family.
Ingredients
This Christmas burger recipe calls for high-quality beef, crispy pancetta, and a homemade blue cheese dressing that delivers bold holiday flavor with every bite.
For the patties:
- 4 half-pound beef patties
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 brioche buns, toasted
For the toppings:
- 8 thin slices pancetta, crisped
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied, your call)
- 1 cup microgreens
For the blue cheese dressing (per burger):
- 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. sour cream
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- Juice of half a lemon
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Pinch of granulated garlic
Directions
Building this Christmas burger takes about 35 minutes from start to finish, and the layering order makes all the difference in how the flavors come together.
Make the blue cheese dressing
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and blue cheese crumbles in a small bowl. Squeeze in the lemon juice and add a pinch of salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.
- Mash and stir until the mixture reaches your preferred consistency. Some folks like it chunky, others smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator as you prep the rest.
Crisp the pancetta
- Lay pancetta slices in a cold skillet, then turn the heat to medium. Cook for three to four minutes per side until crispy and golden.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. The key here is starting with a cold pan so the fat renders slowly.
Grill the Christmas burger patties
- Preheat your grill to high heat, around 450°F to 500°F. Season patties generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Place patties on the grill and cook for four to five minutes per side for medium doneness. The internal temperature should reach 160°F for food safety. During the last minute, toast your brioche buns cut-side down on the grill.
Assemble your Christmas burger
- Spread a generous layer of blue cheese dressing on the bottom bun. Place the grilled patty on top.
- Layer two slices of crispy pancetta over the beef. Add a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Top with a handful of microgreens. Crown with the top bun.
Recipe Note
Make This Christmas Burger Your New Holiday Tradition
Follow these tricks to make your Christmas burger stand out at your holiday party:
- Let patties sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling for more even cooking.
- Use a sharp, clean knife to slice your brioche buns for a clean cut that toasts better.
- Make extra blue cheese dressing; it keeps in the fridge for up to five days and works great on salads.
- If pancetta is hard to find, thinly sliced prosciutto or quality bacon works as a substitute.
- Warm your cranberry sauce slightly before adding; it spreads more easily and brings out the flavor.
- Season your patties right before they hit the grill, not earlier, to keep the exterior from drawing out moisture.
If you’re searching for Christmas burger ideas that break away from the usual holiday spread, this blue cheese and pancetta combo delivers.
The tangy dressing, salty cured meat, and sweet cranberry sauce create a flavor profile you won’t find at any other cookout. Once you’ve made this Christmas burger recipe for your family, it has a way of becoming a requested dish year after year.
Fire up the grill and give your holiday menu the upgrade it deserves.
