Make A Bacon Hot Dog Turtle: A Tasty Treat!

The Bacon Turtle Burger, also known as the Bacon Turtle Cheeseburger or Bacon Burger Turtle, is a unique dish that combines hot dogs, ground beef, and bacon, with some versions including melted cheese. This creative meal involves weaving bacon into a basket-like structure, forming a meat patty, and then assembling the components to resemble a turtle, complete with legs, a head, and a tail. The cooking process typically involves baking or grilling, resulting in a crispy and juicy treat. While it may seem like an indulgent choice, the Bacon Turtle Burger is sure to impress and satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Weave the bacon

To weave the bacon for your hot dog turtle, you'll need to cut some of the fat off the outside to make the edges straight. Then, you can start weaving the bacon like a basket. Aim for a square shape with your weave, using around 5 x 5 strips of bacon. You can secure the bacon weave with toothpicks.

For the base of your turtle, you'll need to form a meat patty from the ground beef. Place this patty in the centre of the bacon weave.

Now, you can add some cheese. Place a slice of cheddar cheese on the centre of the patty, making sure there is a "crust" of meat around the cheese.

Finally, you can fold the bacon weave over the patty and cheese.

Prepare the beef patties

The beef patties are the body of the turtle, and you'll want to make two of them. Start by mixing your ground beef with spices and an egg white in a bowl. The egg whites help to hold the mixture together.

Once you've mixed your beef, make two thin, flat meat patties. You want to make sure they are big enough so that there is a ""crust" of burger meat around the cheese. Place your cheese slices in the centre of one of the patties, leaving a crust of meat around the edge. Then, place the second patty on top and form the two into one larger patty.

Now, you're ready to place the beef onto the bacon weave and continue constructing your turtle!

Assemble the turtle

Now, it's time to assemble the turtle! Take three hotdogs and make two cuts on both ends of two of them to create the "feet". Cut the remaining hot dog in half, and cut one end into a point to create the tail. The other end will be the head.

Make holes in the bacon weave—one each for the head, tail, and four legs. Poke the hot dogs into the body, embedding them about half an inch to one inch into the meat patty. Use extra bacon to cover any gaps and bring the stray ends of bacon into the weave.

Use a spatula to carefully transfer the turtle onto a medium, oven-proof pan. Put toothpicks that have been soaking in water into the body to secure the hot dogs and keep the bacon in place.

Cook your bacon hot dog turtle for about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your oven temperature. Use an oven thermometer to check the doneness of your burger.

Cook the hot dog bacon turtle

Now that you've assembled your hot dog bacon turtle, it's time to cook it!

First, preheat your oven to between 375°F and 450°F.

If you're using toothpicks to secure the hot dogs, make sure they've been soaked in water. Then, transfer the turtle to a medium, oven-proof pan. Place the pan in the oven and cook for around 30 to 45 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on how well-done you want your burger to be. Use an oven thermometer to check the temperature and ensure it's cooked to your liking.

If you're grilling, preheat your grill to medium heat (around 350°F to 375°F). Place the assembled hot dog bacon turtle on the grill grates and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning it occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Your hot dog bacon turtle is now ready to be served! Enjoy the delicious combination of bacon, beef, and hot dogs!

Serve with toppings and sides

Now that you've crafted your bacon hot dog turtle, it's time to think about toppings and sides to serve it with.

For toppings, you can go classic with onion, pickles, mustard, and ketchup, or add some spice with jalapeño slices, hot sauce, or sriracha. If you want to get creative, try your bacon hot dog turtle with cherry tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, or queso fresco. You can also offer a variety of condiments and let your guests top their turtles as they please.

As for sides, you have plenty of options. Bacon hot dog turtles can be served with chips, pasta salad, coleslaw, French fries, or potato salad. If you're feeling adventurous, try pairing them with "turtle eggs" – roasted small, whole white potatoes.

Remember, the sky's the limit when it comes to toppings and sides, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations. Enjoy your delicious and unique creation!

Frequently asked questions