Travis Scott Burger (McDonald’s Copycat)

You’re going to love this iconic McDonald’s Copycat Travis Scott Burger. It has a generous patty, and is stacked with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles and Applewood Smoked Bacon (of course!). Best of all, it can be made in just minutes!

🍽️ Why This Works

Fast – I spent more time prepping the ingredients than actually cooking the patty. Most of the ingredients can be staged ahead of time, which means you will spend even less time actually cooking!

Hearty – Use a generous patty of hamburger and load it up with freshly sliced veggies and you’ll have a solid meal that will last you the day.

Simple Ingredients – I bet you have almost every one of these ingredients in your refrigerator already. Even if you don’t, these are easy to find in virtually any grocery store.

🍔 Ingredients

📝 Ingredient Notes

Hamburger – We made very simple patties using just the hamburger. There is no need to mix in anything else. We like to use 80% when making burgers so you can get the juiciest burger.

Applewood Smoked Bacon – You only need a couple of slices for each burger, so don’t cook more than you need. Save the rest for breakfast.

Fixings – I loaded this with onion, tomato, American cheese, lettuce, pickles and a generous dollop of ketchup and mustard.

⏲️ Equipment and Tools

Sheet Pan and raised grid. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, add a raised grid on top, and lay the bacon on. I cook bacon this way almost exclusively. It saves a lot of splatter. The bacon cooks flat, and cleanup is a breeze.

Cast Iron Skillet. The nice, even sear from a hot cast iron skillet makes all the difference. I added it to my grill, but you can certainly use it on the stove or in the oven. Alternatively, use a small griddle on the grill.

🔥 Instructions

Step One: Cook the bacon on a raised grid on a sheet pan. I cooked mine at 400° for 20 minutes. Cook longer for extra crispy bacon.

Step Two: Press out the hamburger patties round. Add a thumbprint to the center, as it does help keep the cooked patty relatively flat.

Note: Make sure the patties are about ½” larger than the buns you plan to use. As it cooks, it will shrink and you want the final, cooked-patty size to fit nicely on the sesame bun.

Step Three: Preheat the grill to about 400° and add the cast iron skillet with a little bit of oil. The skillet is ready for the patty when you can add a drop of water and it immediately sizzles.

Step Four: Let the patty cook for about two to three minutes. Turn it over and let that cook for the same amount of time. They are done when fully cooked at 160°F according to the USDA.

Step Five: Remove the fully cooked patty from the grill and begin assembling the burger. Always take the time to put out your charcoal grill.

Note: You can toast the buns on the grill like I did for the article on how to grill frozen burgers. It isn’t necessary, but it does add a great flavor!

Step Six: Start layering the ingredients in the following order: Bun, cheese, patty, cheese (again!), ketchup and mustard, bacon, pickles, onion, tomato, lettuce and then the burger top. It is ready to serve!

NOTE: This burger has 2 layers of cheese on it to make a true copycat version.

❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks

Let the cast iron skillet come up to temperature. It usually only takes a few minutes for it to come to temp on a hot grill, but it is best to add a drop or two of water to the pan. If it immediately sizzles, it is ready. It is usually best to wait another two or three minutes after you think it is ready – just to be safe.

Don’t press down on the patty. While this is tempting, it squeezes out some of the juices and really impacts the end result.

Form the burger patty about ½” larger than the bun. It will shrink as it cooks.

🧑‍🍳 Storage and Reheating

Keep unused burgers in a refrigerator safe container for up to two or three days. These reheat wonderfully and serve as great leftovers as a stand alone burger or mixed in with veggies.

Assembled burgers do not save well. The buns quickly become soggy. It’s best to keep the ingredients separated until it is time for assembly and serving.

Meal Prep

To save time, slice the onions and tomatoes ahead of time. It is also easy to form the patties early and have them ready for grill day.

Additions and Substitutions

I love customizing my burgers. Anyone can make a plain ol’ burger, but the way to your family’s hearts is by adding some of these creative flourishes.

Instead of grilling, try smoking the burgers. The choice of woods really adds a great depth of flavor. If you are really in a rush, learn how to grill frozen burger patties. You don’t even have to let them defrost, saving even more time.

Change up the lettuce. There are many different lettuce options that will add a sweet and crispy flavor, or a spicy and peppery twist to the burger.

Be creative with different buns for burgers. You can use the common sesame seed buns, or try something different like a pretzel bun. I was surprised how many different options were out there.

Mix up the onions for the burgers. I prefer the Walla Walla Sweet and sautéed onions. For a real treat, go for the crispy shallots. Those are mild and crunchy.

Serving Suggestions

I have a few of my favorite sides that I serve with burgers. If you are having a cookout with family and friends, you won’t go wrong with a smoked potato salad.

If you are cooking in the summer, definitely try the Beer Corn. This technique adds an amazing complementary taste to the sweet corn and they are always grabbed quickly.

❓ Recipe FAQ

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