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Gochujang Chicken Burgers with Kimchi Bacon Jam

62 reviews / 5 average

Wow wow wow! These Gochujang Chicken Burgers are next-level good. And a perfectly sweet-spicy kimchi bacon jam piled high on top? Yes, please!

Holy smokes – these Gochujang Burgers are where it’s at! The kimchi bacon jam is a 10/10 – smoky, sweet, tangy, and just a little bit spicy. As weird as it sounds, a slice of gouda cheese makes the whole thing even more wonderful. All my friends were raving!


In This Post: Everything You Need For Gochujang Burgers


How To Make These Gochujang Burgers

Step 1: Make the Kimchi Bacon Jam

I prefer the kimchi in smaller pieces, so I cut it up (along with the bacon).

White hand cutting up kimchi and bacon

Fry up the bacon and add the kimchi and brown sugar – this makes a VERY YUMMY, chunky jam-like mixture.

Kimchi and bacon being fried together in a pan

Step 2: Mix the Chicken Burgers

Mix all the ingredients – I usually do this by hand…

White hands mixing chicken into burgers

…and form into 4 patties.

Four raw chicken burgers on a plate

Step 3: Fry the Burgers

I use a grill pan, and I like these with a slice of Gouda on top. (!!)

Chicken burgers being fried in a grill pan with a slice of cheese on top

Step 4: Assemble the Burgers

Start with toasted buns, mayo, and burgers. You could also use this incredible gochujang sauce for even more kick.

Gochujang burgers being assembled with buns

Add kimchi bacon jam and cucumber slices.

Cucumber slices and kimchi bacon jam being added to burgers

And finish with a little tangle of cilantro.

Cilantro being added to chicken burgers

Step 5: Devour!

White hand grabbing a gochujang chicken burgers

Lindsay’s Notes

Okay! Hold up right there! I just cannot with how good these burgers are!

This flavor combo was, in all honesty, my attempt to just continue to find ways to eat those teriyaki chicken burgers. I truly love those so much. To continue with more of that energy, I used the same basic recipe but made them a slightly different flavor (gochujang never disappoints), added that kimchi bacon jam (the same one that we used back in the day for the kimchi grilled cheese), and hello. HELLO. One of my most favorite sticky, smoky, sweet, and spicy burgers was born.

The flavors – I mean, what can I say. They will knock your socks off. The chicken burgers are just a little spicy, the cucumbers and cilantro are keeping it fresh and crunchy, and the kimchi bacon jam is smoky and sticky and sweet and everything I want in a burger topping.

And I know you’re going to question it, but that slice of gouda cheese! It’s golden.


Watch How To Make Our Gochujang Chicken Burgers

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A picture of Gochujang Chicken Burgers with Kimchi Bacon Jam

Gochujang Chicken Burgers with Kimchi Bacon Jam


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 62 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 45 burgers 1x

Description

Wow wow wow! These Gochujang Chicken Burgers are next-level good. And a perfectly sweet-spicy kimchi bacon jam piled high on top? Yes, please!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Gochujang Chicken Burgers:

  • 1 lb. ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons gochujang sauce (I use this one)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • avocado oil or olive oil for frying

Kimchi Bacon Jam:

  • 6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups kimchi, cut into small shreddy pieces (my personal preference for texture!)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Burger Extras:

  • Buns
  • Cheese (optional – I use gouda cheese)
  • Cilantro or greens
  • Mayo
  • Cucumber slices

Instructions

  1. Kimchi Bacon Jam: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the bacon pieces. Fry until golden and crispy and fat has rendered. Drain off some of the oil (optional) and add the kimchi and brown sugar to the pan. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until caramelized and bubbly.
  2. Chicken Burgers: Mix the chicken, panko, gochujang, garlic powder, and salt until well-combined. Form into 4-5 burger patties.
  3. Make the Burgers: Transfer burgers to a large skillet. Add a swish of avocado oil and pan-fry until golden on the exterior and 160 degrees on the interior.
  4. Assemble the Burgers: Toast your buns on the skillet; serve burgers on toasted buns with a layer of kimchi bacon jam, greens of choice, and mayo. So, s0 good.

Notes

Nutrition information does not include burger extras.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Burgers
  • Method: Pan-Fry
  • Cuisine: Korean-Inspired

Keywords: gochujang burgers, kimchi bacon jam, chicken burgers with gochujang

Frequently Asked Questions For Gochujang Chicken Burgers

What can I use instead of chicken in the burgers?

Ground beef! Yum!

Can you make this vegetarian / meatless?

Beyond or Impossible “meat” would be a perfect vegetarian sub. The kimchi bacon jam would be harder to replicate, but I think you could get the same general effect by sautéing the kimchi with the brown sugar and a bit of smoked paprika (no bacon).

How long do the leftovers last?

For any chicken burgers and/or bacon jam that doesn’t get eaten that night, I will keep them in the fridge for another 2 days.

How do you make this gluten-free and/or dairy-free?

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free buns and gluten-free bread crumbs! For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese.

Can you make the burgers on the grill?

Absolutely!

Three More Sandwiches That Are My Absolute Faves

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106 Comments

  1. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Wowzers, 1939 calories for one chicken burger is a ton. How could you reduce the calories here? Turkey bacon? Low fat cheese? Still… 1939 calories for one chicken burger? Wow.

  2. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks wonderful, however I am wondering if your nutrition information is for the entire recipe… It seems exceedingly high for 1/4 or 1/5 of it.

      1. Pinch of Yum Logo

        Made this tonight for dinner. Purchased a large,fresh kimchi at the local Asian Market thinking the amount I bought will be sitting in my fridge for years. But now that I have this delicious recipe in my arsenal, my kimchi won’t go to waste! I did add some cilantro to the kimchi/bacon mixture – I love cilantro! Used brioche buns and Gouda cheese. Definitely a keeper!!!

  3. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Any adjustments for gochujang paste rather than sauce as that’s what I have on hand? Can’t wait to try it! Pretty sure my family will be doing cartwheels after they taste this. Right up our alley.

  4. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Subbed ground turkey and sauerkraut when neither ground chicken nor kimchi were available at my grocery store today (otherwise followed recipe as posed) and it was wonderful! Very flavorful and perfect for a ~fun~ lil Monday night dinner. 🙂

  5. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Can you link which kimichi you used for this recipe. Searching target and they have a few varieties.

  6. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I can’t wait to try these tonight! I know your comment says nutrition information does not include burger extras; do they include the bacon kimchi topping? I assume by extras you mean the bun, mayo, etc.? Thanks!

  7. Pinch of Yum Logo

    You are a burger/sandwich maker of magic!!! Been SO loving the teriyaki chicken burgers in rotation but this one is next up for the lineup! 🤤

    Keep up the inspiration

  8. Pinch of Yum Logo

    These Gochujang Chicken Burgers sound absolutely divine. Who doesn’t want be a fan of the deep, spicy flavors of gochujang, and pairing it with chicken in burger form? But that Kimchi Bacon Jam? Pure genius. The tanginess of the kimchi combined with the smoky saltiness of bacon must elevate the burger to a whole new level of deliciousness. This recipe is a must try for anyone looking to benefit from the delightful fusion of flavors. Thanks for sharing such an innovative dish, Lindsay! 🍔🌶️🥓

  9. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Made these for dinner tonight, I would give them 10 stars if I could 🤤 The flavor combination reminds me of the ginger chicken meatball sandwiches

  10. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Was really excited to try these. The flavors were delicious and the recipe simple. However it was quite salty. For next time I’ll use a strip or two less bacon with more kimchi. And, reduce the tsp kosher salt in the chicken patties.

    Cheers!

  11. Pinch of Yum Logo

    If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be this kimchi jam. Soooo tasty. This recipe was so ridiculously simple and delicious. I’m going to eat it all week.

  12. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Phenomenal. Used fresh kimchi from the local Korean market and mixed a bit of Buldak hot sauce into my mayo but truly, the kimchi bacon jam steals the show. Adding this to my monthly rotation as my new favorite burger. Thank you!

  13. Pinch of Yum Logo

    The kimchi bacon jam… OH MY. This is our new favorite thing. We could eat it straight with a spoon. We immediately made more and have used it in grilled cheese, on top of the Pinch of Yum Kimchi Fried Rice, and I bet it would be good with eggs, sandwiches… or just plain. My husband and I thought we loved PoY before, but now… 😍😍😍

  14. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This was such a great recipe! I will definitely be adding this to my weekly rotation. I used gochujang paste as I didn’t have the sauce and it was delish. The bacon kimchi jam is definitely my jam. 😊

  15. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Substitute for Kimchi? I have one grocery store 40 minutes from home and Kimchi is not something I will find there. The brand you recommended is out of stock and I live 3 hours from a Target. Saw that someone said they used sauerkraut? Otherwise it will be pickles and sesame slaw. They sound delicious though!

  16. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This was delish. I used 2 teaspoons gochujang paste and a little olive oil, the burgers held together well. I skipped the brown sugar in the bacon kimchi part because I just wasn’t feeling a jam tonight, still loved it. The crunch, the spice, the salt. Yum

  17. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m blown away at how good these are! I can’t wait to make them again and also serve them for when we have friends over. Literally tasted like I was at a restaurant and my husband loved them too!