Bourbon Burger with Crispy Onions

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Prep: 10

Cook: 20

Total: 30

This Bourbon Burger with Crispy Onions is a fantastic grilling recipe you can enjoy any time of the year. With fried onions, melty cheese, and a homemade bourbon glaze, this recipe is sure to revolutionize the way you make burgers.

A close-up of a Bourbon Burger with lettuce, tomato, cheese, crispy onions, and sauce, served on a wooden board.

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Why this Bourbon Burger Recipe is a Keeper

These cheesy burgers topped with bourbon glaze taste like those at your favorite burger joints. Filled with boozy bourbon flavor, this recipe remains one of our favorites. Your friends or family will love it, and it goes great with a large bowl of BBQ chips.

30 Minute Meal: Have these delicious bourbon burgers with crispy fried onions ready in less than 30 minutes.
Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
Adaptable: Adjust the ingredients to your tastes and dietary preferences, or add your favorite toppings.

If you’re looking for more burger recipes, try these: Pizza Burgers, Asian Burgers, and Spicy Burgers with Creamy Sriracha Sauce.

What is the Best Beef Blend for Burgers?

A sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cheese, crispy onions, and barbecue sauce on a bun, with French fries in the background.

70/30 ground beef is a popular choice for burgers, as it contains enough lean meat for a rich texture, but enough fat for a juicy, flavorful burger. If you want to take your burgers to the next level, ask your local butcher for recommendations if possible.

Ingredient Notes for Bourbon Burgers

Ingredients for a sandwich recipe are displayed: a bowl of ground meat, two buns, shredded cheese, crispy onions, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning in small bowls.

Ground Beef: 70/30 ground chuck or 80/20 are recommended for these beefy burgers, depending on the ratio of lean meat to fat that you want.
Bourbon Glaze: Smother the burgers in a savory bourbon glaze you can make yourself with our recipe.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for Burgers with Crispy Onions

Ground Meat: Use different kinds of ground meat, such as ground turkey or ground chicken.

Cheese: Feel free to use your favorite kind of cheese, such as pepper jack, white cheddar cheese, or Swiss cheese. You can also add toppings, such as lettuce and tomatoes.
Bun: Use your favorite bun to make the best burger. A pretzel or brioche bun both work great.

Special Equipment Needed

It’s super easy to make regular burgers without any gadgets. This recipe calls for a grill, but you don’t need anything else.

Grill: Make these burgers on the grill, preferably outdoors, or use a grill pan if cooking indoors.

Pro Tip

As the alcohol cooks down, save some money and use a less expensive bourbon to make the glaze.

How to Make Bourbon Burgers

These are the basic steps for making bourbon burgers with fried onions. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

A four-panel collage showcasing seasoning and Worcestershire sauce being added to raw ground beef patties, which evolve into juicy, perfectly browned Bourbon Burgers on the grill.

1. Make Hamburger Patties

Combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce and burger seasoning blend.
Mix very gently by hand just until combined but be careful not to overmix. Shape into six patties about 1 inch thick. Push a ½ inch indent into the center of the patty to prevent it from puffing up.

2. Grill the Burgers

Preheat grill to medium to high heat and place the burgers on the grill grates. Flip and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. When burgers have 1 minute left to cook reduce the heat and top each with a slice of cheese. Place the burgers on a plate with a paper towel and set aside.

3. Assemble Your Burgers

While burgers are resting, grill the buns until golden brown. Spread 1 tablespoon of bourbon glaze on the bottom half of each bun. Place a burger on top of each roll, top with 2 tablespoons of French’s fried onions and 1 tablespoon of bourbon glaze. Add top bun and serve immediately with a toothpick.

Burger with BBQ Sauce FAQs

How Do I Store the Burgers?

Store leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

Can I Make these Burgers in the Oven?

Yes; you can use a grill pan in the oven instead of grilling outdoors.

Can I Make the Bourbon Glaze in Advance?

Yes; make the bourbon glaze a few days in advance, then add it to the burgers when you’re ready.

Can I Use Another Whiskey?

Use your favorite bourbon or whiskey to make the glaze.

Close-up of a Bourbon Burger with crispy fried onions, melted cheese, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and barbecue sauce on a bun.

Expert Tips for Making This Grilling Recipe

Patties: Make patties slightly larger than your bun to account for shrinkage. Create a small indentation in the center to prevent puffing up.
Seasoning: Season on both sides with oregano, cumin, and your favorite spices.
Meat Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. They should be done when it reaches 160 degrees F. If they’re still not fully cooked, close the lid on your grill and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
Resist the Urge to Press: Pressing down on the burger will release juices and make it dry.
Grilled Onions: You can also make this recipe with grilled onions. Saute them in a medium saucepan and let simmer until translucent.

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