Preheat your grill (or skillet) to medium-high heat.
Mix brown sugar and chili powder. Coat each bacon slice with this mixture. Place bacon on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes or until crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Season the ground beef with salt and pepper, then form into 4 burger patties.
Grill the patties for about 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness. Place a slice of cheese on each patty during the last minute of cooking to melt.
Toast the hamburger buns on the grill for about 1 minute or until lightly toasted.
Assemble the burgers: place lettuce, tomato, and onion on the bottom bun, add the beef patty with cheese, top with two slices of bacon, add any other desired toppings or condiments, and cover with the top bun.
Serve immediately.
Notes
Cook bacon in the oven on a rack over a baking sheet for even crispiness.
• Don't overmix the ground beef to keep burgers juicy and tender.
• Let the burgers rest for a few minutes after cooking for juicier results.
• Toast the buns on the grill or pan for extra flavor and texture.
• Adjust the amount of chili powder based on your heat preference.