Our Goat Cheese Burger Recipe:

You’ve mastered the basic burger—now, it’s time to elevate your game as a home chef. Our Triple Threat Goat Cheese Burger combines the tangy Cypress Grove Fog Lights goat cheese with sweet-and-salty candied bacon with the unbeatable savory taste of your favorite beef patties.

We’ve got to warn you, however—the smell of candied bacon, perfectly seasoned burgers, and savory Fog Lights may have neighbors showing up to your house, wondering how they can get their hands on your latest creation!

These burgers are perfect for impressing your foodie friends, bringing an unexpected twist to a backyard BBQ, or simply enjoying a sweet-and-savory recipe for a quiet dinner at home. Feel free to take your time customizing this recipe to your taste—amp the brown sugar up or down for the candied bacon, and feel free to rev up the black pepper in your burger seasoning mix if you’re looking to bring the heat.

Ready? We are! Let’s dive in.

Here’s What You’ll Need for The Triple Threat Goat Cheese Burger

For the candied bacon:

1/2 pound thick-cut bacon

1/2 tbs. black pepper (fresh ground is best)

1/2 c. light brown sugar (packed)

For the burgers:

2 tsp. seasoned salt

1 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. paprika

2 lbs. ground beef (feel free to go with pre-formed patties from your butcher if it makes things easier for you)

To top it off:

8 sliced ciabatta rolls

6 oz. Cypress Grove Fog Lights goat cheese

Candied bacon (see above)

Thin-sliced red onion

Fresh romaine lettuce

Instructions

Get your candied bacon into the oven before you make your way out to the grill.

Candied Bacon

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Place a wire rack on top of a foil-lined baking sheet. Carefully arrange the bacon slices on the wire rack, ensuring that they do not touch one another.
3. Sprinkle the bacon slices with black pepper.
4. Pat the brown sugar on top of the bacon slices to create a thin, even layer.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until the brown sugar has caramelized. Keep an eye on your bacon as it cooks, and be sure to let it crisp up for an extra minute or two if you prefer a little extra crunch.
6. Let the bacon cool for at least ten minutes, then transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow it to cool to room temperature.

Burger Patties

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Mix seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small dish.
3. If beef is not pre-divided into patties, divide beef into eight portions. Your burger patties should be about an inch wider than your buns to account for their decreased circumference after cooking.
4. Season both sides of each patty generously.
5. Grill patties on a preheated grill for about five minutes on each side. Remove from heat. We recommend keeping your grill closed while your burgers are cooking (no peeking!).

Burger Assembly

1. Spread the top half of your sliced ciabatta rolls with a generous layer of Fog Lights goat cheese.
2. Place a burger on the bottom half of each ciabatta roll. Top with romaine lettuce, red onion, and two halved slices of candied bacon (or more—we don’t judge).
3. Top with ciabatta roll with Fog Lights goat cheese. Enjoy!

The Triple Threat Goat Cheese Burger: Quick Tips

Whether you’re a master of the grill or you’re trying your hand as a burger chef for the first time, we’ve got you covered. Check out these easy tips to elevate your goat cheese burger grilling game.

• Let your grill pre-heat before you throw your burgers on—you should hear an instant sizzle when each burger hits your grilltop.
• Patience is key. Flip your burgers one time halfway through cooking, and let your grill do the rest. You’ll know that your burgers are ready to flip when you see grease pooling on the top. To be extra-sure of whether your burgers are done, use a meat thermometer to get to your desired level of doneness.
• Don’t eat all the candied bacon before your burgers are finished—it’s tough, we know! The good news: you can store candied bacon in the fridge for up to five days, giving you a go-to snack for the week ahead.
• We recommend sticking to the topping layering order we outlined above for maximum deliciousness and minimal mess. If you prefer a more melty experience, you can spread your Fog Lights goat cheese directly on your fresh-off-the-grill burger—just don’t forget to stock the table with extra napkins!
• Not a fan of Ciabatta? If you prefer a softer roll, feel free to sub in a Kaiser roll or potato roll. Looking for an even sturdier option? A pretzel roll can be an unexpected salty twist that can take your goat cheese burger to the next level.

If you give this recipe a try, we’d love to hear what you think! Let us know how it turned out, if you made any modifications to suit your family’s tastes, and what other ways you’re enjoying our Fog Lights goat cheese!

Goat cheese is delicious, plain and simple. Its piquant tang and the variety of cheeses you can create with it have made it popular for thousands of years. Humans have been herding goats for more than 9,000 years, enjoying their milk for at least that long.

There isn’t much difference between Stone Age and Modern Age folks when it comes to thoughts on goat cheese. The general sentiment is “Yes, please!” Goat cheese’s distinctive taste has made it a staple in many of our delicious recipes, like our goat cheese burger recipe.

Those who are lactose-free may have some restrictions on eating cow’s milk or even goat cheese. We’re here to break it down for you.

Goat cheese, especially Cypress Grove’s Goat Cheese, can be difficult to resist. One question remains for the lactose-intolerant or lactose-sensitive: Does goat cheese have lactose? It’s a good question with an answer that might make you happy.

Does Goat Cheese Have Lactose?

Yes, goat cheese does have lactose, but it has much less than other types of dairy.

So, the short answer is yes, but if you ask how much lactose, well, then it depends.

How Much Lactose is in Goat Cheese and Goat’s Milk?

According to Healthline, fresh goat cheese naturally has less lactose because goat milk has less lactose than cow milk to start. For reference, goat milk typically has ~4.2%, and cow cheese has ~5%. In addition to milk type, according to The Cheese Professor, the lactose in cheese depends on the cheese type and age. Harder cheeses and more aged cheeses have less lactose than higher moisture, younger cheeses. So, a harder, more aged goat cheese could have virtually no lactose left in it. Although the effect on digestion is not scientifically proven yet, there is a noticeable difference for some consumers.

That said, never trust a cheesemaker for medical advice. We’ve heard from countless fans about their joyful experience finding that our goat cheeses mean they can enjoy cheese again, but we strongly advise you to work with a medical professional.

Lactose Intolerance: The Basics

Lactose is a sugar found only in milk from mammals. When people cannot digest this sugar, they are considered lactose intolerant. Lactose-intolerant people exist on a spectrum, meaning not everyone has the same severity of reaction. Symptoms may include gas, digestive distress, diarrhea, or bloating. For people with lactose intolerance, it is hard to find foods that don’t trigger unpleasant physical responses.

Enter goat cheese.

Lactose in Goat Milk vs Other Dairy Milk

Goat’s milk has significantly less lactose than cow’s milk. Goat’s milk contains about 4% lactose, compared to cow milk’s 5%. This can make goat’s milk easier to digest. For those with mild or moderate lactose intolerance, this difference can be noticeable.

Additionally, the shorter fat molecules in goat’s milk further enhance its digestibility. While we wish for everyone to be able to eat goat cheese, we recommend always consulting with your doctor before making dietary changes if you are lactose intolerant.

How Much Lactose is in Aged Goat Cheese vs. Fresh Goat Cheese?

Lastly, the age of the cheese matters. Over time, the bacterial cultures responsible for different types of cheese consume lactose, lowering its content. So, for those who have a problem with fresh cheeses, you can still enjoy aged cheeses with a lower incidence of reaction, if any.

Are You Looking to Try Some Goat Cheese?

If you’re excited to try some fresh or aged non-cow milk cheese, check out our amazing selection at a retailer near you. Whether you’re planning your next dinner party masterpiece or a restaurant looking for top-notch ingredients, we’ve got you covered!

Where Can I Get Cypress Grove Goat Cheese?

Cypress Grove’s gourmet goat cheese is sold in some retailers or can be shipped right to your front door! Use our store locator to find a store near you, or order online via Goldbelly. Don’t hold out; try some of our delicious creations today!

We’re back with another Cheesemonger Spotlight! Ever wondered how cheesemongers became, well, cheesemongers? Join us as we spotlight cheesemongers from cheese shops nationwide — covering everything from cheese tips to favorite pairings.⁠

Meet Ahmad Allen, Cheesemonger from Market Hall Foods in Oakland, CA!

How did you first become interested in cheese/cheese industry and can you tell us a little bit about your background and how it led you to become a Cheesemonger? 

During high school in Washington, D.C. I was accepted into a study abroad program that was based on the artistic intersection and cultural significance/impact of the culinary medium. The study took place in France & Italy two of the worlds food and arts capitals. I got to experience the most delicate bites and the most interesting inventions related to food. I am an artist of many mediums including music, visual art, dance, acting and teaching. I moved to the Bay Area to collaborate with like minded musicians and forage a path of my own in the entertainment industry. While finding my footing I was led to Market Hall Foods and their highly acclaimed, award winning, world renowned cheese counter. At the market(s) I serve as a cheesemonger and more recently as in-house demo personnel, providing recipes, and suggestions of paring for foods that are highlighted each month.

What is a question or questions you wish customers wouldn’t be afraid to ask you? 

Ask for more cheese!

What’s your cheese hack/tip?

Buy cheeses while they’re still young so you can monitor the intensity of the flavor and notes as they age.

What’s your favorite way to pair or use Humboldt Fog?

I love to enjoy Humboldt Fog rind on with ginger raspberry jam sandwiched by a warm croissant. (Mushroomy, lemony tart, sweet)

If you were a Cypress Grove cheese, what type of cheese would you be and why? 

I would be the Meyer Lemon & Honey goat cheese because I use the lemons life gives me and I’m always sweet while doing it!