Description
Comfort meets gourmet in these french onion soup burgers, blending classic French bistro flavors with an American grilling favorite. Caramelized onions, melted gruyère, and a rich beef patty create an irresistible twist you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
- 4 slices Gruyere or Swiss cheese
Caramelized Onion Base:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup beef broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Seasonings and Accompaniments:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 brioche buns
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
- Fresh thyme or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Transform yellow onions into a rich, caramelized delicacy by gently sautéing them in a blend of butter and olive oil over medium heat. Enhance their natural sweetness with a sprinkle of sugar, then season with salt and pepper.
- Continue cooking the onions, stirring periodically, allowing them to develop a deep golden-brown color and intensely sweet flavor. This process typically requires 20-25 minutes of patient cooking.
- Deglaze the skillet with beef broth, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the pan’s surface. Let the liquid reduce and absorb into the onions, creating an intensely concentrated flavor profile.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef with aromatic seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Carefully shape the mixture into four robust patties, ensuring they’re slightly larger than the buns to compensate for shrinkage during cooking.
- Preheat a skillet or grill pan to medium-high temperature. Carefully place the burger patties and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, targeting your preferred level of doneness.
- During the final moments of cooking, crown each patty with a luxurious slice of Gruyere cheese. Cover the skillet momentarily to create a perfectly melted cheese blanket.
- While the burgers are finishing, lightly toast the brioche buns in the same pan, allowing them to develop a delicate golden-brown crisp.
- Construct the burgers by spreading Dijon mustard and mayonnaise on the bottom bun. Layer the melted cheese-topped patty and generously spoon the caramelized onions on top.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley for an aromatic touch. Complete the burger by placing the top bun.
- Serve immediately alongside crispy french fries or a fresh side salad, ready to be devoured.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep, rich flavor without burning, which can make them bitter and unpleasant.
- Use low to medium heat when cooking onions, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning and prevent sticking to the pan.
- Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the caramelized onions for extra depth and complexity of flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese options like Emmental or Comté if Gruyere is unavailable, maintaining the classic French onion soup profile.
- For a lighter version, use lean ground beef or turkey and swap brioche buns for whole wheat to reduce calories.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and ensure all components are ready when needed.
- Let burger patties rest for a few minutes after cooking to help retain juices and prevent dryness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg