These elevated burgers are sure to impress this summer, making them perfect for Father’s Day, the 4th of July, or a backyard barbecue. First make thick hamburger patties and grill them. Top the burgers with an excellent aged cheddar, such as Kerrygold. Then fry the sweet yellow onions until they are deep golden brown – this is an easy way to achieve fake caramelized onions. For extra flavor, add crispy bacon, cooked on a griddle for a hands-off, mess-free approach. Finally, finish the burger with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and mustard. What should you serve a burger with? Check out some of our popular summer side dishes.
How do you make caramelized onion and aged cheddar burgers?
Serve 6 | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2-2 ½ lbs. chopped, shape into 5-6 oz. round patties
- Salt and pepper or favorite hamburger seasoning
- 6-12 slices of bacon (1-2 per burger), optional
- 4-6 oz. aged cheddar (such as Kerrygold), thinly sliced
- 6 brioche or sesame seed buns
- 1-2 large tomatoes, sliced
- Iceberg lettuce or crispy butter lettuce,
- Mayo and yellow mustard
Caramelized onions:
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1-2 tbsp. butter, ghee or olive oil
- Salty
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar (optional)
Directions:
- Divide and shape the ground beef into 6 large round hamburger patties. Season with salt and pepper or your favorite burger seasoning and set aside.
- For the onions: In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, add butter, ghee or olive oil, then the thinly sliced onions. Season with salt and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep brown and caramelized. Deglaze occasionally with a dash of water so that the onions cook and do not burn. If necessary, add 1 tbsp. of brown sugar. Once caramelized and deep golden brown, remove from heat and set aside.
- For the bacon: Place the bacon slices on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Place it in a cold oven, set it to 400 degrees and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and just crispy. Remove the fat and let it drain. Once cool, cut or tear the slices in half to fit the burgers.
- While the bacon is cooking, heat the grill over medium heat. Cut the tomato into slices and season the slices with salt. Set aside. Slice the aged cheddar and set aside.
- Once the grill reaches approximately 500 degrees, place the seasoned burger patties on the rack and close the lid. Grill for 5-6 minutes.
- Open the grill, turn it over and place slices of aged cheddar on the patties. Close the lid and grill for another 5-6 minutes. This will yield medium-sized burgers, but continue cooking until you reach your desired preference.
- Remove the patties from the grill and let them rest for about 5 minutes.
- If desired, toast the buns on the grill or in a pan while the burgers rest.
- Assemble the burgers: Spread mayonnaise and mustard on the bottom and top buns. Place a piece of lettuce on the bottom bun, followed by a slice of tomato and the burger. Top with two to four bacon halves, then a spoonful of caramelized onions and crown the burger with the top bun.
