Few drive-thru burgers spark the same wide-eyed “I can’t believe I finished that” grin as the copycat Big Bacon Classic Triple. This colossal stack of fresh beef, melty cheese, smoky bacon, and crisp garden toppings ruled the nineties, slipped quietly off the menu, then stormed back in 2020. Re-creating it at home puts you in charge of quality while keeping every bite as over-the-top as the original. Grab a sturdy plate and let’s fire up the grill for the ultimate copycat Big Bacon Classic Triple adventure.
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Total Time: 20 min
Yield: 1 towering burger
Calories: about 1 220 kcal
Table of Contents
How to make Copycat Wendy’s Big Bacon Classic Triple
Rebuilding this legend starts with three quarter-pound patties formed from 80 / 20 fresh ground chuck. While the beef rests, three strips of applewood bacon sizzle until mahogany glossy. Toasted premium buns wait nearby. A quick seasoning of salt, pepper, and a whisper of onion powder brings the patties to life on a hot cast-iron skillet or outdoor grill. Cheese slides over each patty in the final minute so the layers fuse. The secret is assembly speed. Stack bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, first patty, cheese, bacon, second patty, cheese, pickles, ketchup, onion, third patty, cheese, finish with toasted crown. Compression with your palm makes the stack biteable without collapsing. Now you are holding a true copycat Big Bacon Classic Triple.
Ingredients, instructions and tips
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) 80 / 20 ground beef, divided into three 4-oz balls
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ tsp onion powder
- 3 slices American cheese
- 3 strips applewood-smoked bacon
- 1 premium hamburger bun, split and buttered
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 dill pickle chips
- 1 slice ripe tomato
- 1 leaf iceberg lettuce
- 2 thin rings white onion
Instructions
- Shape patties: Lightly press each beef ball into a 4-inch square. Season both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder. Chill for 5 minutes.
- Cook bacon: Place bacon in a cold skillet, set over medium heat, cook until crisp, 6-7 minutes. Drain on paper towel.
- Toast bun: Wipe skillet, melt a pat of butter, toast cut sides of bun until golden, 30 seconds. Keep warm.
- Sear patties: Raise heat to medium-high. Sear patties 2½ minutes per side. During the last minute, lay a cheese slice on each patty so it melts.
- Build burger: Spread mayo on bottom bun. Add lettuce and tomato. Place first patty, top with one bacon strip. Add second patty, arrange pickles, ketchup, onion. Crown with third patty plus remaining bacon. Cap with bun.
- Serve immediately with plenty of napkins.
Tips
- Smash-style patties cook faster but shrink; keep them thick for classic heft.
- Chilling patties prevents crumbling and secures a better crust.
- A serrated knife halved through the center lets guests share the bounty if the Triple feels too mighty.
What to serve with the dish
Balance the richness with light, crunchy sides such as vinegar-dressed coleslaw, air-fried sweet-potato wedges, or a peppery arugula salad. An icy cherry limeade or homemade Frosty-style shake echoes the fast-food vibe without overshadowing the star. For a playful twist, set out baked onion rings and let friends layer them inside the burger for extra crunch.
Ingredients substitutes
- Beef Patties
Original Ingredient: Three ¼-lb fresh ground-beef patties
Substitutes:- Ground turkey or chicken patties reduce saturated fat while keeping protein high.
- Plant-based patties (black-bean or soy) turn the build vegetarian.
- Two thicker half-pound patties simplify stacking yet keep weight similar.
- Bacon
Original Ingredient: Applewood-smoked bacon
Substitutes:- Turkey bacon lowers fat and calories.
- Coconut bacon chips create a smoky vegan crunch.
- Prosciutto ribbons offer a gourmet salt hit.
- American Cheese
Original Ingredient: Processed American cheese slices
Substitutes:- Mild cheddar brings sharper flavor.
- Colby Jack melts smoothly with subtle sweetness.
- Vegan cheddar slices keep lactose out of the picture.
- Premium Bun
Original Ingredient: Classic hamburger bun, lightly toasted
Substitutes:- Brioche bun adds buttery richness.
- Whole-grain bun boosts fiber.
- Lettuce wrap eliminates extra carbs.
- Condiments and Vegetables
Original Ingredient: Mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion
Substitutes:- Chipotle mayo swaps smoke for plain mayo.
- Sriracha ketchup delivers gentle heat.
- Grilled pineapple rings replace tomato for island flair.
- Pickled jalapeños stand in for pickles with a zing.
- Seasoning
Original Ingredient: Kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder
Substitutes:- Montreal steak seasoning completes flavor in one shake.
- Smoked sea salt deepens the grill aroma.
- Garlic powder replaces onion powder if desired.
Crafting this copycat Big Bacon Classic Triple satisfies nostalgia while giving you control over every juicy detail. Whether you keep the build faithful or explore the substitutes above, you’ll bite into layers of crisp, savory, melty goodness that rival any late-night drive-thru mission. Light the grill, stack high, and taste the burger legend reborn in your own kitchen.

Ingredients
12 oz (340 g) 80 / 20 ground beef, divided into three 4-oz balls 1 tsp kosher salt ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper ⅛ tsp onion powder 3 slices American cheese 3 strips applewood-smoked bacon 1 premium hamburger bun, split and buttered 1 Tbsp mayonnaise 1 Tbsp ketchup 2 dill pickle chips 1 slice ripe tomato 1 leaf iceberg lettuce 2 thin rings white onion
Instructions
Shape patties: Lightly press each beef ball into a 4-inch square. Season both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder. Chill for 5 minutes. Cook bacon: Place bacon in a cold skillet, set over medium heat, cook until crisp, 6-7 minutes. Drain on paper towel. Toast bun: Wipe skillet, melt a pat of butter, toast cut sides of bun until golden, 30 seconds. Keep warm. Sear patties: Raise heat to medium-high. Sear patties 2½ minutes per side. During the last minute, lay a cheese slice on each patty so it melts. Build burger: Spread mayo on bottom bun. Add lettuce and tomato. Place first patty, top with one bacon strip. Add second patty, arrange pickles, ketchup, onion. Crown with third patty plus remaining bacon. Cap with bun. Serve immediately with plenty of napkins.