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In our opinion, there is nothing better than a good burger night! Fire up the grill, gather the best toppings and let’s make the most delicious burgers you have ever tasted. This particular burger has been tested and tested again over the years for game day Sunday or any time we have a backyard cookout. The toppings are a perfect combination of flavors that really take the grilled burgers to the next level! Create a delicious burger bar and let your guests make their own creations!
Looking for Another Good Burger?
Then you definitely need to try our Flying Dutchman Burger!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the full recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, & estimated nutritional information.
- yellow onions – large Vidalia onions are best for making caramelized onions!
- ground beef – we love using an 80/20 ground beef because that fat content helps contribute to perfectly juicy burgers.
- hamburger buns – any variety of buns will work here – whole wheat, brioche buns, gluten-free buns, or even lettuce buns.
- cheese – option to omit, but they are best with provolone, swiss cheese, or white American cheese.
- toppings – highly recommend the combination of balsamic mayo, bacon, pickles, and sliced onions that have been caramelized to perfection!
How To Make Caramelized Onion Burgers
Best Way To Serve Caramelized Onion Burgers
You could also call them french onion burgers because piling on the caramelized onions definitely feels reminiscent of a french onion soup! If you are looking for a delicious side, try serving them up with some grilled potato wedges, grilled corn on the cob, or grilled broccoli. Because there is nothing better than cooking a whole meal on the grill!
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- Can you make caramelized onions ahead of time? Absolutely! They do take a little time, so feel free to make them ahead of time, store in the fridge, and simply reheat before serving.
- What is the difference between caramelized onions and sautéed onions? The cook time! Caramelized onions need to be cooked for a long time fully soften and turn brown in color, this process really brings out some great sweetness. Sautéed onions are just softened on the stove top and not cooked as long.
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Caramelized Onion Burger Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Stove Top + Grill
- Cuisine: American
Description
Our Caramelized Onion Burgers are juicy and delicious grilled burgers with all the best toppings, everyone will love them!
Ingredients
Balsamic Mayo:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Caramelized Onions:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3–4 sweet yellow onions, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Burgers:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Bun & Toppings:
- 4 hamburger buns of choice
- 4 American cheese slices
- 4 bacon slices, cooked
- burger pickles
- romaine lettuce
Instructions
- Balsamic Mayo: Place ingredients in a small bowl and mix to combine. Cover and set in the fridge until ready to use.
- Make Caramelized Onions: Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and move it around, so that the bottom of the pan is coated. Add onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Move onions around the pan and bring heat down to medium heat once onions start to cook down. Continue cooking onions 15-30 minutes, until they start to turn golden brown. Once onions are a nice brown color, turn off the heat, and set aside until burgers are ready.
- Prep Grill: Preheat the grill to a medium-high heat and make sure the grill grates are clean.
- Prep Burgers: Place ground beef, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl and mix with your hands to combine. Divide into 4 equal burger patties. Make a small thumb indent in the middle of each burger. Sprinkle the tops of the burgers with a little more salt and pepper.
- Grill Burgers: Place the seasoned burgers directly on the hot grates and cook over direct heat for 3-4 minutes on each side (6-7 minutes total). This will result in a medium-rare center. If you want cheese, place a slice of cheese on each burger for the last 1-2 minutes of cook time. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Assemble Burgers: Place a cooked burger on the bottom bun, add your desired toppings, including some of the caramelized onions and balsamic mayo. Then the top bun.
- Serve: Enjoy right away with any of your favorite side dishes!
Notes
- Whole30/Paleo: double check the ingredients for the balsamic vinegar, mayo, bacon and pickles. Serve on a lettuce bun.
- Burger Cook Times: For Medium: cook 3 minutes on the first side and 5 minutes on the second side. For Medium-Well cook 3 minutes on the first side and seven minutes on the second side. For Well-Done cook for 4 minutes soon the first side and six minutes on the second side.
- Sliders: Simply double the burger ingredients to make 12 sliders. Place the 12 small, flattened patties on a wire rack that is on top of an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Broil on high in the oven for 10 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes and then serve on small buns with all the toppings.
- Storage: leftover burgers can be kept in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Store separately from the toppings and mayo for easier reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz
- Calories: 349
- Sugar: 5.7 g
- Sodium: 678.3 mg
- Fat: 20.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.9 g
- Fiber: 1.9 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 51.7 mg
Originally published January 29, 2020. Recipe retested and new photos added August 15, 2025.
Rebecca Healy says
If you want an over the top but simple burger, you have to try this! The caramelized onions are such a simple, quick, and easy way to jazz up a great weeknight burger!
Erin says
yay! So awesome to hear, Rebecca!