Loaded Bacon Burgers with Whiskey Caramelized Onions

FOR THE ONIONS:

1. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onions to butter and sauté until softened, 3-5 minutes.
3. Add whiskey, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper to taste, Stir to combine.
4. Reduce heat to low and let onions cook, stirring occasionally, until they’ve deepened to a dark brown and caramelized - anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. If the onions look dry during cooking, add a bit of extra butter. I like to let the onions cook while I prep the rest of the burger ingredients, and take them off the heat at the last minute just when I’m ready to assemble the burgers.
5. When onions are just about done, stir in the dijon mustard for a creamy, tangy finish.

FOR THE BURGERS:

1. Cook bacon strips until crispy and set aside. I like to roast my bacon in a 400 degree oven.
2. While the bacon cooks, divide the ground beef into four portions and shape each portion into a patty. Make the patties slightly larger than your burger buns, and push a dent into the middle of each patty with your thumb to help them keep their shape as they cook.
3. Cook burger patties on the grill or in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 2-4 minutes per side, depending on your heat source, until hamburger is cooked to your desired level of doneness. When burgers are almost done, top with a spoonful of BBQ sauce and a cheddar cheese slice (this will give the BBQ a chance to soak in and the cheese a chance to melt). Set cooked burgers aside to rest while you prep the final ingredients.
4. Toast the brioche bun halves. Use a traditional toaster or toast them in a 400 degree oven for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted. (If you’re grilling your burgers, you can toast the brioche buns on the grill when the burgers are almost done cooking).
5. Melt butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (you can use the same skillet you cooked the burgers in if you’re cooking indoors).
6. Crack eggs into skillet and fry sunny side up, until whites are cooked through and yolks are still slightly runny, 4-6 minutes (depending on how hot your pan is).
7. Time to assemble! Put cheese-topped hamburger patties on the bottom bun and top with bacon, caramelized onions, arugula, and a fried egg. Spread some stone ground mustard on the underside of the top bun and pop it on top of the burger to finish it off. Serve immediately with fries or your favorite side dish.