Classic Beef Burgers with Caramelized Onions
Classic Beef Burgers with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions
- 2 yellow onions, sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Beef Patties
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for cooking
For Assembly
- 5 burger buns, toasted
- 5 cheddar cheese slices, optional
- 5 lettuce leaves
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 cup pickles, sliced, as needed
- ketchup, as needed
- mustard, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Begin by caramelizing the onions. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and very soft. If they start to dry out, add a tablespoon or two of water. Stir in the balsamic vinegar during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 28 min
- 3
While the onions are cooking, prepare the burger patties. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the burgers tough.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Divide the beef mixture into 5 equal portions. Form each portion into a patty about 3/4 inch thick and slightly wider than your burger buns. Make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb; this helps prevent the burgers from bulging in the middle while cooking.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Heat the vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet or on a grill over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burger patties. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust cooking time to your desired doneness. If adding cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking and cover the skillet to melt.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
While the burgers are cooking, lightly toast the burger buns. This can be done in a separate pan, on the grill, or in a toaster.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Assemble the burgers: Place a toasted bun bottom on each plate. Add a lettuce leaf, then a cooked burger patty (with cheese if using). Top generously with the caramelized onions, a slice of tomato, and pickles as desired. Add ketchup and mustard to taste. Place the top bun on and serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Beef Burgers with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions
- 2 yellow onions, sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Beef Patties
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for cooking
For Assembly
- 5 burger buns, toasted
- 5 cheddar cheese slices, optional
- 5 lettuce leaves
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 cup pickles, sliced, as needed
- ketchup, as needed
- mustard, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Begin by caramelizing the onions. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and very soft. If they start to dry out, add a tablespoon or two of water. Stir in the balsamic vinegar during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 28 min - 3
While the onions are cooking, prepare the burger patties. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the burgers tough.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Divide the beef mixture into 5 equal portions. Form each portion into a patty about 3/4 inch thick and slightly wider than your burger buns. Make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb; this helps prevent the burgers from bulging in the middle while cooking.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Heat the vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet or on a grill over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burger patties. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust cooking time to your desired doneness. If adding cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking and cover the skillet to melt.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
While the burgers are cooking, lightly toast the burger buns. This can be done in a separate pan, on the grill, or in a toaster.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Assemble the burgers: Place a toasted bun bottom on each plate. Add a lettuce leaf, then a cooked burger patty (with cheese if using). Top generously with the caramelized onions, a slice of tomato, and pickles as desired. Add ketchup and mustard to taste. Place the top bun on and serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min