The Ultimate 2 AM Breakfast Burger: Rock Bottom Brewery Copycat Recipe for Home
Indulge in the legendary 2 AM Breakfast Burger – the infamous Rock Bottom Brewery favorite, now perfected for your home kitchen. Crowned with crispy hash browns, smoky bacon, and a perfectly fried egg, this is truly the best burger recipe you’ll ever make!
Have you ever had the pleasure of dining at Rock Bottom Brewery? This national chain is renowned for its fantastic selection of craft beers and, of course, its truly exceptional burgers. Just a few weeks ago, while celebrating my son’s birthday, my eyes landed on a menu item that instantly captured my attention and the appetites of almost everyone at our table: the legendary 2 AM Breakfast Burger. The description alone – a burger topped with all your favorite breakfast delights – had three out of five of us practically drooling.
Knowing I couldn’t simply let such a culinary masterpiece remain a restaurant-only treat, I made it my mission to recreate this epic burger experience right here in my own kitchen. After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy the irresistible combination of savory ground beef, crispy hash browns, perfectly cooked bacon, and a gloriously runny fried egg, all piled high on a toasted bun? It’s the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner fantasy, a dish that truly satisfies those deep, primal cravings for comfort food at any time of day. This is more than just a meal; it’s an event, a celebration of flavor that’s surprisingly simple to bring to life at home.
Gather Your Ingredients: What You’ll Need for the 2 AM Breakfast Burger
For the exact measurements and a convenient printable version of this recipe, please be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post!
Creating this magnificent burger doesn’t require a long list of exotic ingredients. In fact, most of what you’ll need are pantry staples or easily found at your local grocery store. The magic truly happens when these simple components come together to form a cohesive, flavor-packed meal. Here’s a breakdown of the essential items:
- Ground Beef: Opt for an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for the juiciest, most flavorful burger patties. This fat content ensures your burgers stay moist and tender as they cook.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for adding a deep, umami richness to your ground beef. It’s crucial for mimicking that savory restaurant-quality flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: The fundamental seasonings that enhance all the natural flavors of the beef. Don’t skimp on these for a well-balanced taste.
- Hamburger Buns: Choose sturdy, brioche-style buns if possible, as they can stand up to the generous fillings without falling apart. Toasted buns are non-negotiable for texture and flavor!
- Bacon: Crispy, smoky bacon is essential. Cook it to your preferred level of crispiness – we love it extra crunchy for this burger.
- Hash Brown Patties: These add a fantastic textural contrast and a classic breakfast element. Frozen hash brown patties are convenient; just cook them until golden and crisp according to package directions.
- Fried Eggs: The crown jewel! Cooked sunny side up with a runny yolk is highly recommended for that incredible, rich burst of flavor that ties everything together.
- Cheddar Cheese: (Optional, but highly recommended!) A slice of sharp or mild cheddar, melted over the hot patty, adds a creamy, tangy layer that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
This epic burger is truly a feast for the senses, topped generously with crispy hash browns, perfectly cooked bacon, and a glorious fried egg. Yes, it might be a little messy to eat, but trust me when I say every single bite is absolutely worth it. The combination of textures and flavors is simply unparalleled.
My husband has always been an enormous fan of burgers with a fried egg on top – a truly inspired addition to any burger, in my opinion. So, I knew this would be an instant hit with him. What surprised and delighted me even more was how much my 11-year-old loved it too! It’s definitely a full, satisfying meal all packed into one incredible burger. While it stands perfectly on its own, I went ahead and served it with some delicious onion rings on the side, because if you’re going to recreate a restaurant favorite at home, you might as well go all out and make it a complete experience!
And speaking of going all out, let’s talk about sauces. You know what would elevate these burgers even further, and also make an absolutely incredible dipping sauce for those onion rings? A homemade Canes Sauce. It’s incredibly versatile and tastes amazing with just about everything. The creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy notes would perfectly complement the rich flavors of the burger, creating a harmonious bite every time.
Tips for Crafting the Perfect Breakfast Burger
- Perfect Patties: When forming your ground beef patties, don’t overwork the meat. Gently form them, making a small indent in the center with your thumb. This prevents the burger from puffing up in the middle and ensures even cooking.
- Crispy Hash Browns: Ensure your hash brown patties are cooked until extra crispy. This provides a crucial textural contrast to the soft bun and juicy burger. An air fryer or a hot oven works wonders.
- The Ideal Egg: For the classic “breakfast burger” experience, aim for a sunny-side-up egg with a runny yolk. The rich yolk acts as a natural sauce, adding incredible moisture and flavor. If runny yolks aren’t your preference, a soft-fried or over-easy egg still works well.
- Toasted Buns are Key: Don’t skip toasting your hamburger buns! This prevents them from becoming soggy and adds a delightful crunch. A minute or two on the grill or in a hot pan is all it takes.
- Layering for Success: Assemble your burger carefully. Start with the hash brown on the bottom bun to create a barrier and add stability, then the burger patty (with melted cheese, if using), bacon, and finally, the fried egg.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Recipe
There’s something uniquely satisfying about recreating a beloved restaurant dish in your own kitchen. This 2 AM Breakfast Burger copycat allows you to enjoy that special Rock Bottom Brewery experience without leaving your home. It’s not just about saving a trip out; it’s about the joy of mastering a dish, customizing it to your exact preferences, and sharing a truly memorable meal with family and friends. This recipe is perfect for weekend brunches, a fun twist on weeknight dinner, or even as a late-night indulgence when those “2 AM” cravings hit. I have a strong feeling that breakfast burgers are going to become a new weekly dinner request in our house, especially as the weather gets warmer and grilling becomes a regular occurrence.
Explore More Delicious Burger Recipes
If you’re a burger enthusiast, there’s a whole world of flavors to explore beyond this amazing breakfast creation. From lean chicken and turkey options to spicy and classic takes, there’s a burger for every taste and occasion. Expand your grilling repertoire with some of these other fantastic recipes:
- Air Fryer Chicken Burgers: A lighter option, perfectly cooked to juicy perfection in your air fryer.
- Best Turkey Burgers: Flavorful and moist, proving that turkey burgers can be just as satisfying as beef.
- Buffalo Chicken Burger: For those who love a bit of a kick, combining the bold flavors of buffalo sauce with a chicken patty.
- Classic Hamburgers: Sometimes, you just can’t beat a well-made traditional hamburger.
- Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger: Elevate your cheeseburger game with a hint of spice and savory bacon.
2 AM Breakfast Burger
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
4
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
-
1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground beef -
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce -
1 teaspoon salt -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper -
4 hamburger buns -
4 strips cooked bacon -
4 hash brown patties, cooked according to package directions -
4 fried eggs, sunny side up -
4 slices cheddar cheese, (optional)
Instructions
-
Preheat your grill to high heat. While the grill is heating, you can prepare your burger patties and other components.
-
In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough burgers. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form them into patties, making a slight indent in the center of each to prevent them from bulging while cooking.1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground beef,
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce,
1 teaspoon salt,
1/2 teaspoon black pepper -
Place the patties on the preheated grill and cook for 6-7 minutes per side for a medium-done burger, adjusting time for your desired doneness. If you’re adding cheese, place a slice on top of each burger during the last 2 minutes of cooking, allowing it to melt beautifully. During these last 2 minutes, you can also place the hamburger buns on the grill, cut-side down, to lightly toast them.4 slices cheddar cheese
-
To assemble, place a cooked hash brown patty on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top the hash brown with a grilled burger patty (and melted cheese, if used). Then, add a strip of cooked bacon and finally, crown it with a freshly fried egg, preferably sunny side up with a runny yolk. Place the top bun and serve immediately!4 hamburger buns,
4 strips cooked bacon,
4 hash brown patties,
4 fried eggs
Nutrition
Calories:
1232
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
83
g
|
Protein:
68
g
|
Fat:
70
g
|
Saturated Fat:
21
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
42
g
|
Trans Fat:
2
g
|
Cholesterol:
237
mg
|
Sodium:
1422
mg
|
Fiber:
7
g
|
Sugar:
4
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
Dinner Recipes
American
4
1232
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