Bunless Bacon Burgers

Instructions

1. Take the ground beef out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking so it comes closer to room temp. Cold beef sears unevenly.
2. Cook 4 strips bacon in a cold cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat, flipping once, about 6 minutes total until crisp. Transfer to paper towel. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
3. While the bacon cooks, form 8 oz of ground beef into two loose patties, about 3/4-inch thick. Do not overwork the meat. Press a shallow thumbprint into the center of each so they cook flat instead of doming. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper right before they hit the pan.
4. Turn heat to high. Sear the patties in the bacon fat, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium. Do not press them or flip them repeatedly, one flip only.
5. Rest the patties on a plate for 2 minutes. This is not optional. It is the difference between juicy and dry.
6. Plate each patty topped with 2 strips of bacon and half an avocado sliced over the top. Grind of black pepper to finish.