This Burger with Caramelized Onions is just special. When you take the time to make these tantalizing caramelized onions for your burgers they taste next level good, but you make them easily at home.
These Burgers with Caramelized Onions taste just like those fancy steakhouse burgers. They truly elevate your burger with those incredible onions and burger seasoning but if you really want to go the extra mile try my Best Burger Sauce.
Summer is the best time to grill, but of course you can do it year round, so here are some amazing grill recipes.
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What We Love About This Recipe
Burgers are a year round favorite whether you are cooking them outside on the grill or indoors with a grill pan, they can not be beat. Top with your favorites and you have a quick, nutritious meal full of protein and flavor.
- 20 Minute Meal: These burgers come together fast.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or fridge.
- Family Friendly: Everyone loves a juicy burger piled high with their favorite mixings.
- Adaptable: Can make it low-carb or dairy free, etc…
- Makes Great Leftovers: Store for another meal, perfect for lunch the next day.
Ingredient Notes
- Onions: Vidalia onions, are used in this recipe, however use your favorite, sweet onions work best.
- Sugar: White sugar, light brown sugar or dark brown sugar call be used.
- Butter: Salted or Unsalted.
- Ground Chuck: A ratio of 80 percent meat to 20 percent fat.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This adds a wonderful umami flavor.
- Best Burger Seasoning: This really adds a nice flavor to the burger, way better than just kosher salt and black pepper.
- Canola Oil: Or other neutral oil.
- Gouda Cheese: Cheddar cheese or any other of your favorites can be used, Smoked gouda is great too.
- Kaiser rolls, buttered and toasted in a skillet over medium heat. Brioche buns or your favorite roll can also be used.
Equipment Needed
- Spatula
- Small Bowl
- Large Bowl
- Large Skillet
How to Make Burgers with Caramelized Onions
These are the basic steps for making onions for burgers. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions, calories and nutrition information.
STEP 1: ONIONS
First, in a medium pan, melt the butter over low heat then add onions and sugar and cook until caramelized, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, cover and keep warm.
STEP 2: BURGER PATTIES
Next, stir the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce and Seasoned salt. Mix by hand just until combined (be careful not to over mix). Shape into six patties that are about 1 inch thick. Push a ½ inch indent into the center of the patty to prevent the patty from swelling into a dome.
STEP 3:COOK
Finally, Cook using one of the methods listed below.
IF USING A GRILL: Heat grill to high. Brush the burgers with the oil. Grill the burgers until golden brown with a slight char on the first side, about 3 minutes. Flip and grill other side for 4 minutes for medium rare or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Check out tips and tricks here.
A GRILL PAN: Heat a grill pan over high heat on top of the stove. Cook the burgers as directed, above.
SKILLET OR GRIDDLE (CAST IRON PREFERRED): Heat the oil in the pan over high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Cook the burgers as directed above.
STEP 4: CHEESE
When burgers have 1 minute left to cook, top each with a slice of cheese. After 1 minute remove from grill/pan.
STEP 5: TOP
Lastly, place burger on bottom half of roll and then add a heaping tablespoon of onions on top of burger. Top with remaining half of roll.
Prep and Storage Tips for Burgers with Caramelized Onions
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Prepare hamburger mixture and form into patties up to two days before you need the, wrap them well and keep them in the refrigerator, The onions can also be cooked in advance and stored in the fridge until you need them.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store leftover burgers in the fridge for up to four days, wrapped well in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Cooked burgers can be frozen for up to four months. Allow to cook, then wrap well in foil and place in an airtight container in the freezer. Here is the best way: How To Cook Frozen Burgers in the Oven.
HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE
In the oven or toaster oven reheat the burgers. To ensure you keep the flavor and moisture, cook on 375 degrees for 3 to 4 minutes per side, based on the thickness of your burger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Low fat cheese can be used, try replacing the hamburger buns with lettuce to make a lettuce wrap.
Indeed, you can use ground sirloin, ground round, ground chuck, etc. I find that you need some fat to make a good, juicy burger, therefore an 80/20 ratio works wonderfully.
Of course, this recipe is perfect for a crowd, simply increase the recipe as needed.
Well Done: 160°F to 165°F , Medium Well: 150°F to 155°F , Medium: 140°F to 145°F , Medium Rare: 130°F to 135°F, Rare: 120°F to 125
However, it is important to note that the USDA recommends hamburgers should be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees to destroy harmful bacteria that may be present.
Expert Tips for Making This Hamburger Recipe
- Add Your favorite toppings: Lettuce, Tomato, garlic or grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mayonnaise etc.
- Short cut tip: Pre make the onions and have ready when you cook the burgers.
- Alternate ingredient: Try with different cheese blends such as gruyere or Pepper Jack to add different flavors.
- Alternate cooking method tip: Grill Pan, Charcoal Grill or cast iron skillet on the stove top.
- Dietary consideration tip: Great for Instant Pot Juicy Turkey Burgers, too.
What to Serve with Burgers with Caramelized Onions
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Burgers with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
- 3 onions, halved and sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, 80 percent lean
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoons Seasoned salt
- 2 tablepoon Canola oil
- 6 slices Gouda cheese
- 6 Kaiser rolls, buttered and toasted in a skillet
Instructions
- In a medium pan, melt the butter over low heat.
- Add onions and sugar and cook until caramelized, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat, cover and keep warm.
- Combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce and Seasoned salt. Mix by hand just until combined (be careful not to over mix).
- Shape into six patties that are about 1 inch thick. Push a ½ inch indent into the center of the patty to prevent the patty from swelling into a dome.
- Cook until desired doneness, toast rolls and then assemble the burgers with onions and other toppings.
Expert Tips
- Add Your favorite toppings: Lettuce, Tomato, garlic or grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mayonnaise etc.
- Short cut tip: Pre make the onions and have ready when you cook the burgers.
- Alternate ingredient: Try with different cheese blends such as gruyere or Pepper Jack to add different flavors.
- Alternate cooking method tip: Grill Pan, Charcoal Grill or cast iron skillet on the stove top.
- Dietary consideration tip: Great for Instant Pot Juicy Turkey Burgers, too.
Yum!! Add some bacon to that and it’d REALLY be tasty! Oh man do I love a bacon cheese burger!
I LOVE sautéd onions. Sometimes when I’m home alone for lunch I just slice up an onion and fry it up! I also do the same thing with mushrooms. If you want to try something really great, replace the white sugar for golden or brown sugar *drool*
I was drooling when I saw that on The Pioneer Woman too! I’d eat caramelized/sauteed/grilled onions on almost eveything if I could. Love love love!
I love caramelized onions too! Especially on burgers.