Classic Beef Burger with Caramelized Onions
Juicy hand-formed beef patties with sweet caramelized onions, melted cheddar, and a tangy special sauce on a toasted brioche bun.
- Prep:
- 20 min
- Cook:
- 25 min
- Total:
- 45 min
- Servings:
- 4
- Difficulty:
- medium
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef, 80/20, chilled
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 units brioche burger buns, toasted
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and sweet, 15–20 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar in the last 5 minutes, then set aside.
- 2
Whisk the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and Worcestershire together to make the sauce. Set aside.
- 3
Divide the beef into 4 equal portions and form loose patties about 3/4-inch thick. Press a small dimple into the center of each. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- 4
Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill over high heat. Cook the patties 3–4 minutes per side for medium, adding the cheddar during the last minute so it melts.
- 5
Toast the buns cut-side down in the residual heat, then spread the sauce on both halves. Build with the patty, a tangle of caramelized onions, and the bun top.
Notes
Handle the beef as little as possible — overworking makes dense burgers.
The dimple in the center keeps patties from puffing into balls as they cook.
For a quicker weeknight version, caramelize the onions in advance and refrigerate for up to 4 days.