Hangover Burger

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Huge beef burger loaded with crispy hash browns, bacon, fried egg, pepper jack cheese, and spicy hangover sauce. Takes 45 minutes and serves 4.
Clare Greco
Updated on Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:22:47 GMT
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Hangover Burger | recipesbyclare.com

This burger happened during one of those Saturday mornings when my brother came over looking absolutely miserable after his buddy's wedding reception the night before. He kept moaning about needing "real food" and "something that will fix me," so I decided to throw together everything I could think of that might help. I piled hash browns, bacon, a fried egg, and cheese on top of a big burger, figuring if one comfort food was good, five would be better. Turns out I was right, after eating this massive thing, he perked up and said it was exactly what he needed to rejoin the human race.

My neighbor saw me grilling these through the fence and came over to ask what I was making because they looked "insane." When I told him, he laughed and said his wife would kill him if he ate one, but he wanted to try it anyway. He ended up taking half home and said it was the most satisfying thing he'd eaten in months.

Ingredients

  • Good ground beef: 80/20 mix with jalapeños and onions worked right into the meat
  • Pepper jack cheese: Adds some heat to cut through all that richness
  • Crispy hash browns: Because potatoes make everything better
  • Thick bacon: Not the wimpy stuff, but substantial bacon that can hold its own
  • Runny egg: The yolk becomes like sauce and ties everything together
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Hangover Burger | recipesbyclare.com

Step-by-Step Instructions

Burger Building
Mix your ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and those minced jalapeños and onions. Don't overwork it or you'll get tough burgers. Make them into big patties, bigger than your buns because they're going to shrink when they cook.
The Dimple Thing
Press your thumb into the center of each patty to make a shallow dent. This keeps them from turning into meatballs on the grill, which is impossible to eat. Stick them in the fridge while you get everything else ready.
Getting Components Ready
Make your sauce by mixing ketchup, mayo, and sriracha, start with less hot sauce and add more if you want. Cook your hash browns until they're really crispy, fry up that bacon, and butter your buns. Having everything ready before you start grilling makes this so much easier.
Grilling Time
Get your grill nice and hot, around 450 degrees. Cook the burgers about 3 minutes per side, adding cheese near the end. These are thick, so they need time to cook through properly.
Putting It All Together
Toast those buttered buns, fry your eggs over easy, then stack everything up. Bottom bun, sauce, burger with cheese, hash browns, bacon, fried egg, more sauce, top bun. Good luck getting your mouth around it.

I learned the hard way about the sizing when my first batch ended up smaller than the buns and looked pathetic instead of impressive. Now I make them almost comically large before cooking. Also, that little dent in the middle really does prevent the dreaded burger ball.

What to Serve With Them

Honestly, these are so big they don't need much else, but some crispy fries or onion rings finish the whole indulgent experience. For drinks, cold beer works great, or if you're really committing to the hangover theme, a bloody mary. Definitely have lots of napkins ready because these are messy as hell to eat.

Mix It Up

Different cheeses work great - sharp cheddar or swiss both taste good. You could add avocado if you want even more richness. Some people like to use sausage patties instead of bacon for a different breakfast vibe. Adding a whole hash brown patty instead of loose ones makes them easier to eat.

Keeping Them Fresh

These really need to be eaten right away while everything is hot and crispy. You can prep the burger patties and sauce ahead of time, and the bacon and hash browns can be reheated, but definitely fry those eggs fresh. These aren't the kind of thing you save for later.

Hangover Burger Pin it
Hangover Burger | recipesbyclare.com

These hangover burgers have become legendary in our family because they're so completely over the top that eating one feels like an event. Every time I make them, people take pictures because they can't believe how massive they are. They're proof that sometimes you just need to throw caution to the wind and make something completely ridiculous and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why do you make a dimple in the burger patty?
The dimple prevents the burger from puffing up in the middle while cooking and helps it cook more evenly throughout.
→ Can I cook this without a grill?
Yes! Use a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook the burgers the same way - 3 minutes per side plus time for your preferred doneness.
→ What makes the hangover sauce special?
It's a simple but perfect combo of ketchup, mayo, and sriracha that adds creamy heat. Adjust the sriracha to your spice preference.
→ How big should the buns be for this burger?
Use large, sturdy buns like brioche or kaiser rolls. These burgers are massive and need a bun that can handle all the toppings without falling apart.
→ Can I prep any components ahead of time?
Yes! You can form the patties and make the sauce up to a day ahead. Cook the bacon and hash browns earlier in the day and reheat when ready to assemble.

Hangover Burger

Epic burger stacked with hash browns, crispy bacon, fried egg, and pepper jack cheese. Perfect comfort food for any time.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 large burgers)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ For the burger patties

01 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 1½ teaspoons salt
03 1½ teaspoons black pepper
04 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 ¼ cup jalapeño, minced
06 ¼ cup yellow onion, minced

→ For the hangover sauce

07 ¼ cup ketchup
08 ¼ cup mayonnaise
09 1-2 tablespoons sriracha sauce, to taste

→ For the toppings

10 4 thick slices pepper jack cheese
11 2 cups frozen hash browns, cooked crispy
12 8 slices thick-cut bacon, fried crispy
13 4 large eggs, fried over easy
14 4 large hamburger buns
15 Butter for toasting buns

Instructions

Step 01

Mix ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, minced jalapeño, and onion in a bowl. Divide into 4 equal portions and form into patties about ½ inch larger than your buns. Press a dimple in the center of each patty to prevent puffing. Refrigerate until ready to grill.

Step 02

Mix ketchup, mayonnaise, and sriracha in a small bowl. Adjust sriracha to your heat preference and set aside.

Step 03

Cook hash browns until golden and crispy. Fry bacon until crispy. Butter the inside of your hamburger buns. Keep everything warm while you cook the burgers.

Step 04

Preheat grill to 450°F. Place burger patties on hot grates and cook for 3 minutes without moving them. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes more, then add cheese slices. Cook until burgers reach your desired doneness.

Step 05

Place buttered buns cut-side down on the grill over indirect heat to toast. At the same time, fry your eggs over easy until whites are set but yolks are still runny.

Step 06

Spread hangover sauce on both bun halves. Layer the bottom bun with burger patty, crispy hash browns, bacon, and top with a fried egg. Add the top bun and serve immediately.

Notes

  1. These are huge burgers! Make sure you use sturdy, large buns that can handle all the toppings.
  2. The dimple in the center prevents the burger from puffing up and helps it cook evenly.
  3. You can substitute any cheese you prefer, and avocado slices make a great addition.
  4. Keep all components warm while assembling to ensure the best eating experience.

Tools You'll Need

  • Gas or charcoal grill
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cast iron skillet for hash browns and eggs
  • Instant-read thermometer

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains dairy from cheese and butter
  • Contains gluten from hamburger buns
  • May contain soy from mayonnaise

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1480
  • Total Fat: 94 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 65 g
  • Protein: 90 g