Classic Beef Burgers Caramelized Onions (Printer-friendly)

Juicy beef patties paired with sweet caramelized onions, layered with fresh toppings and toasted buns.

# What you'll need:

→ For the Burgers

01 - 1.1 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
05 - 4 burger buns

→ For the Caramelized Onions

06 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
11 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)

→ Burger Toppings

12 - 4 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
13 - Lettuce leaves
14 - Tomato slices
15 - Pickles
16 - Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise (as desired)

# Method:

01 - Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes until onions are deeply golden and soft. Stir in sugar and balsamic vinegar for extra flavor, if desired. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - In a bowl, gently mix ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Do not overwork. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into patties slightly larger than the buns.
03 - Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 3–4 minutes per side for medium, or to desired doneness. Top with cheese slices in the last minute of cooking, covering to melt.
04 - Toast the burger buns lightly on the grill or in a pan.
05 - Place lettuce and tomato on the bottom bun, add the burger patty, top generously with caramelized onions, pickles, and condiments. Finish with the top bun.
06 - Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The onions transform an ordinary burger into something that makes people pause mid-bite and ask what you did differently
  • This recipe hits that perfect balance between a cozy weeknight dinner and something special enough for weekend guests
02 -
  • Do not rush the caramelized onions because that deep flavor developes only with patience and cannot be faked
  • Make a slight indentation in the center of each raw patty to prevent them from puffing up into spheres while cooking
03 -
  • Let the burgers rest for about 5 minutes after cooking so all those juices redistribute instead of running out onto your plate
  • Keep a spray bottle of water handy if flare-ups happen on the grill instead of dousing everything with your extinguisher

Go back