Tennessee Burger with Bourbon and BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

• 3 slices bacon 
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 
• 5 tablespoons bourbon divided
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 
• 0.3 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1.5 pounds ground sirloin 90% lean
• 9 ounce bread hamburger buns french
• 2 teaspoons honey 
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt divided
• 0.5 cup lower-sodium ketchup 
• 1 teaspoon olive oil extra-virgin
• 0.3 teaspoon onion powder 
• 2 teaspoons pepper sauce hot
• 3 cups onion red vertically sliced
• 0.3 teaspoon paprika smoked
• 1.5 inch tomatoes 
• 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce 

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan
• grill

Directions

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp.
2. Remove bacon from pan.
3. Add oil and onion to drippings in pan; cook 15 minutes or until onion is browned and very tender, stirring occasionally.
4. Add 3 tablespoons bourbon, vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook 2 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates, stirring constantly.
5. Remove mixture from pan. Cool 5 minutes.
6. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons bourbon, ketchup, and next 7 ingredients (through onion powder) in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until sauce thickens.
7. Remove from heat.
8. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
9. Coarsely chop 3/4 cup onion mixture; stir into beef. Divide beef mixture into 6 equal portions, gently shaping each portion into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Press a nickel-sized indentation in center of each patty.
10. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
11. Place patties on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.
12. Spread each top and bottom bun half with 1 tablespoon sauce.
13. Place patties on bottom halves; top each patty with 1 tomato slice. Divide remaining onion mixture evenly among servings. Top each serving with 1/2 bacon slice and top half of bun.