From Atlanta with Flavor: Maple Candied Apple Burger with Bourbon Bacon Jam
When sweet meets savory and Atlanta meets your kitchen — this burger might just change your life.
Sometimes, a city leaves its mark not through monuments or museums, but through a perfectly seared burger.
On a recent trip to Atlanta, I followed a friend’s recommendation to a small burger joint tucked away in a busy corner of the city. It didn’t look like much—but the moment I took a bite of their apple bourbon burger, I knew I’d stumbled into something special. Sweet, smoky, tangy, and just a little spicy, it was the kind of meal that sticks with you long after the last crumb is gone.
Back home, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So I did what any flavor-obsessed person would do: I tried to recreate it.
This burger is the result. Inspired by Southern charm and autumnal comfort, it layers cinnamon-kissed apples, a bourbon bacon onion jam, creamy feta, and peppery arugula over a juicy beef patty. It’s not your average backyard burger—it’s a tribute.
Maple Cinnamon Candied Apple Burger with Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam
Servings: 4 burgers Time: ~45 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Burger:
1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 brioche buns, toasted
1 cup arugula
1/2 cup crumbled feta
For the Candied Apples:
1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
For the Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam:
6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt to taste
Directions:
Make the Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam:
In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving about 1 tbsp of fat in the pan.
Add the onions and cook slowly until caramelized (about 15 minutes).
Stir in brown sugar, bourbon, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Let simmer until thickened, about 5–7 minutes.
Return bacon to the pan, mix well, and remove from heat.
Make the Candied Apples:
In a separate skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
Add apple slices, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
Cook, stirring gently, until apples soften and caramelize slightly (about 5–7 minutes). Set aside.
Cook the Burgers:
Season ground beef with salt and pepper, form into 4 patties.
Cook on a grill or skillet over medium-high heat for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until your desired doneness.
Toast the brioche buns lightly while the burgers rest.
Assemble:
Bottom bun → burger patty → candied apples → bacon onion jam → feta → arugula → top bun.
Optional: secure with a toothpick and bask in the admiration of your guests (or yourself).
