Elitetwig's Bacon Barley Burgers

Sink your teeth into Elitetwig's Bacon Barley Burgers—a deliciously wholesome twist on classic comfort food. These unique veggie-meets-meaty patties feature nutty pearl barley, crispy crumbled bacon, and savory Parmesan cheese, expertly seasoned with smoked paprika and thyme for a smoky depth of flavor. Each burger is pan-fried to golden perfection, then layered with fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, and creamy Dijon mayo on a toasted bun. With just the right balance of hearty and fresh, these burgers are the ultimate crowd-pleasers for quick weeknight dinners or casual weekend gatherings. Ready in under an hour, they’re a flavorful way to enjoy whole grains without sacrificing indulgence.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Pearl barley
• 3 cups Water
• 6 slices Bacon
• 1 medium Shallot
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Cracked black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 pieces Burger buns
• 4 pieces Lettuce leaves
• 4 pieces Tomato slices
• 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 4 teaspoons Mayonnaise

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the barley under running water and drain well.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed barley with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until tender. Drain any excess liquid and set the cooked barley aside to cool.

Step 3

In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.

Step 4

Finely chop the shallot and mince the garlic.

Step 5

In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Set aside to cool.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked barley, crumbled bacon, sautéed shallot and garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 7

Using your hands, shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties, about ½ inch thick.

Step 8

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and heated through.

Step 9

Toast the burger buns lightly in a toaster or on a dry skillet, if desired.

Step 10

Assemble the burgers by spreading 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard and 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun. Place a lettuce leaf, a cooked barley patty, and a tomato slice on top. Cover with the top half of the bun.

Step 11

Serve immediately and enjoy your Elitetwig's Bacon Barley Burgers!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1559.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2673.0

Total Fat 109.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.9g
Cholesterol 327.0mg	0%
Sodium 5757.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 337.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.7g	0%
Total Sugars 22.9g
Protein 88.4g	0%

Vitamin D 61.4IU	0%
Calcium 818.5mg	0%
Iron 17.7mg	0%
Potassium 1402.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.7%

Protein: 13.1%

Carbs: 50.2%