15-Minute Homemade Sourdough Jack Burger
Recreate the classic Jack In The Box Sourdough Jack at home with seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, melted Swiss cheese, and fresh tomatoes on buttered, toasted sourdough bread. This quick copycat sandwich delivers that signature fast-food appeal with juicy burger, smoky bacon, and tangy mayo-ketchup spread in about 15 minutes. Perfect for lunch or casual weeknight dinner when you crave that iconic burger without the drive-thru.
Ingredients
- ¼ pound ground beef
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces bacon, strips
- 2 tomato slices
- 2 ounces Swiss cheese, slices
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- 2 ounces sourdough bread, toasted slices
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- 1
Season ground beef with salt and form into a patty sized to fit sourdough bread.
- 2
Cook bacon in one skillet until crispy, then remove and set aside.
- 3
In same skillet, cook seasoned burger patty until browned.
- 4
In second skillet, butter both bread slices and toast until golden brown.
- 5
Place Swiss cheese slice on one toasted bread slice.
- 6
Flip burger patty and top with second Swiss cheese slice.
- 7
Crisscross bacon strips over cheese on burger.
- 8
Spread mayonnaise and ketchup on plain toasted bread slice, then layer tomato slices.
- 9
Stack burger with cheese and bacon onto tomato side, then close sandwich.
Tips
Use same skillet for bacon and burger to save dishes and add bacon fat flavor to the patty.
Toast bread in butter until edges are crispy for texture contrast against juicy burger and toppings.
Good to Know
Best served immediately. Wrapped tightly, refrigerate leftover assembled sandwich up to 4 hours, though bread will soften. Toast again before serving.
Prepare components separately: cook burger patty and bacon ahead, store refrigerated up to 2 days. Toast bread and assemble sandwich fresh to maintain crispy exterior.
Serve immediately on plate with fries, pickles, or coleslaw on the side. Cut diagonally for casual presentation.
Common Mistakes
Don't cook burger too long to avoid dry, dense patty; medium doneness keeps it juicy.
Don't skip buttering bread before toasting to avoid soggy sandwich and ensure golden crust.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this sandwich ahead for meal prep?
Cook components separately and store up to 2 days. Assemble fresh when ready to eat to keep bread crispy. Pre-assembled sandwiches become soggy and bread softens within a few hours.
What if I don't have sourdough bread?
Brioche buns work well for sweetness and texture. Whole wheat bread adds nutty flavor. Avoid overly soft white bread as it won't hold up to juicy toppings.
How can I make this burger healthier?
Use 90% lean ground beef, skip mayo or use Greek yogurt spread, add lettuce for crunch, and use whole grain sourdough. Bake bacon in oven at 400F instead of skillet to reduce added fat.