This French Onion Burger recipe includes a flavorful patty topped with caramelized onions, bacon, Gruyère cheese, arugula, and an easy horseradish aioli. I promise it will be your new favorite burger!

Do you love grilling recipes? Try our Turkey Burgers, Pork Tenderloin, Steak Kabobs, Chicken Street Tacos, or Jerk Chicken Bowl!

The best French Onion Burger recipe on a plate, ready to enjoy.

Why I love this recipe:

  • Next Level – Everyone loves a classic burger, but this French Onion Burger is truly something special and restaurant worthy!
  • Flavorful – We add onion soup mix (either homemade or a packet of store-bought) to the beef to give it the signature flavor.
  • The Toppings – Top the burger with the simplest caramelized onions and horseradish sauce. We’re obsessed!

How to make French Onion Burgers:

Make Horseradish Aioli by mixing the ingredients together in a bowl at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 weeks) before assembling burgers.

Mayonnaise, horseradish, garlic, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl to be mixed together to make homemade horseradish aioli.

Prepare Patties: Sprinkle the onion soup mix all over the ground beef and use your hands to gently mix it into the meat (be careful not to over-mix the meat). Divide into 6 equal portions and gently form into ½ inch thick patties that are wider than the burger buns (as they will shrink). Use your thumb to press an indentation into the center of each patty. Cover and set aside.

Two images showing ground beef in a bowl with onion soup mix on top, and then the ingredients incorporated for an onion burgers recipe.

Make Caramelized Onions: Melt butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Add onions to the pan in an even layer and leave them until they begin to brown. Once they start to brown on the bottom, stir in sugar and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until browned, about 10-15 minutes.

A pot filled with sliced onions to make carmelized onions for an onion burger recipe.

Grill Burgers: Preheat grill to medium high heat. Place patties on hot grill, indent-side up. Close grill lid and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the bottom of the burger is seared and juices are accumulating on top of the burger then flip. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until cooked to desired doneness (130-150 degrees).

Add cheese on burgers during the last minute of cooking then remove to a plate and allow to rest for a few minutes before assembling.

Two images showing burger patties on the grill, and then topped with Gruyère cheese for lipton onion burgers.

Assemble: Toast burger buns if desired and a spoonful of aioli on the buns. Top with burger patty, bacon, caramelized onion, arugula or lettuce, then the top bun.

Four process images showing how to assemble the best onion burger recipe, with horseradish sauce, burger with cheese, bacon and carmelized onions, and the top bun to finish it off.

Serve these onion burgers with French fries or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, fresh fruit or a side salad.

A French Onion Burger on a plate next to a simple side salad.

Make Ahead Instructions:

To Make Ahead: Make the horseradish aioli up to 2 weeks ahead of time and keep in an airtight container in the fridge. Mix and form the french onion soup burger patties up to 1 day in advance. Just make sure you keep them covered well and in the refrigerator.

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Recipe

A picture of a French Onion Burger with horseradish aioli, bacon, and carmelized onion on a plate.
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 28 minutes
Total 38 minutes
Save Recipe

Ingredients
 
 

For the Burgers:

Caramelized Onions:

  • 2 onions red, sweet or yellow, thinly sliced
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • salt and pepper , to taste

Toppings:

  • 6 slices Gruyere cheese
  • 6 slices cooked bacon , optional
  • Baby arugula , or butter lettuce
  • 6 hamburger buns , brioche

Horseradish Aioli:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon horseradish
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove , minced
  • 1 dash salt

Instructions
 

  • Make Horseradish Aioli by mixing the ingredients together in a bowl at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 weeks) before assembling burgers.
  • Season and form patties: Sprinkle the onion soup mix all over the ground beef and use your hands to gently mix it into the meat (be careful not to over-mix the meat). Divide into 6 equal portions and gently form into ½ inch thick patties that are wider than the burger buns (as they will shrink). Use your thumb to press an indentation into the center of each patty. Cover and set aside.
  • Make caramelized onions: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onions to the pan in an even layer and leave them until they begin to brown. Once they start to brown on the bottom, stir in sugar and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until browned, about 15 minutes.
  • Grill burgers: Preheat grill to medium high heat. Place patties on hot grill, indent-side up. Close grill lid and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the bottom of the burger is seared and juices are accumulating on top of the burger. Flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until cooked to desired doneness (130-150 degrees).
  • Add cheese on burgers during the last minute of cooking. Remove to a plate and allow to rest for a few minutes before assembling.
  • Assemble: Toast burger buns if desired and place a spoonful of aioli on the buns. Top with burger patty, bacon, caramelized onions and arugula or lettuce, then top bun.
  • Serve with fries, fresh fruit, or a side salad.

Notes

Ground Beef: Use high quality Ground chuck or you could substitute regular ground beef, but use at least 20% fat (not lean). For an extra delicious burger try a combination of 60% ground chuck and 40% brisket.
Make Ahead Instructions: Make the horseradish aioli, assemble burger patties, and caramelize onions, in advance.

Nutrition

Calories: 574kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 39gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 832mgPotassium: 552mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 399IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 373mgIron: 4mg

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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