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A burger topped with candied apples, bourbon bacon onion jam, feta, and arugula on a toasted brioche bun Recipe

From Atlanta with Flavor: Maple Candied Apple Burger with Bourbon Bacon Jam

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.

A close-up of the burger's toppings: candied apples, feta, and bourbon bacon jam piled high

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

Recipe

Yields 4 burgers · Prep 25 minutes · Cook 20 minutes

  1. In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  2. Add the onions and cook slowly until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
  3. Stir in brown sugar, bourbon, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Let simmer until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Return bacon to the pan, mix well, and remove from heat.
  5. In a separate skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  6. Add apple slices, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
  7. Cook, stirring gently, until apples soften and caramelize slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
  8. Season ground beef with salt and pepper, form into 4 patties.
  9. Cook on a grill or skillet over medium-high heat for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until your desired doneness.
  10. Toast the brioche buns lightly while the burgers rest.
  11. Assemble the burger: bottom bun, burger patty, candied apples, bacon onion jam, feta, and arugula, then the top bun.
  12. Optional: secure with a toothpick and bask in the admiration of your guests (or yourself).
  • 1.5 lbs Ground beef (80/20 preferred) (for the burger)
  • 1 tsp Salt (for the burger)
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper (for the burger)
  • 4 Brioche buns, toasted (for the burger)
  • 1 cup Arugula (for the burger)
  • 1/2 cup Crumbled feta (for the burger)
  • 1 large Apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced (for the candied apples)
  • 1 tbsp Butter (for the candied apples)
  • 2 tbsp Maple syrup (for the candied apples)
  • 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon (for the candied apples)
  • Salt, pinch (for the candied apples)
  • 6 strips Thick-cut bacon, chopped (for the bourbon bacon onion jam)
  • 1 large Yellow onion, thinly sliced (for the bourbon bacon onion jam)
  • 2 tbsp Brown sugar (for the bourbon bacon onion jam)
  • 1/4 cup Bourbon (for the bourbon bacon onion jam)
  • 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar (for the bourbon bacon onion jam)
  • to taste Salt (for the bourbon bacon onion jam)