French Onion Burgers

5 from 8 votes

If you're looking for the ultimate gourmet burger recipe, these French Onion Burgers are it - seasoned ground beef patties topped with caramelized onions, bacon, Gruyère cheese, and a homemade horseradish aioli. This crowd-pleasing grilled burger recipe is easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for your next backyard cookout.

Prep Time10

Cook Time28

Total Time38

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: burgers

Calories: 574kcal

Author: Lauren Allen

Cost: 24

Recipe Link

Equipment

Mixing bowl

Ingredients

For the Burgers:

1 ½ pounds ground chuck* , (80/20)
1 Onion Soup Mix , packet or homemade

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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make Horseradish Aioli by mixing the ingredients together in a bowl at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 weeks) before assembling burgers.
1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1 garlic clove, 1 dash salt
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 1/2 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.
1 ½ pounds ground chuck*, 1 Onion Soup Mix
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.
2 onions, 2 Tablespoons butter, 1 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1/2 Tablespoon granulated sugar, salt and pepper
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.
6 slices Gruyere cheese
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.
6 slices cooked bacon, Baby arugula, 6 hamburger buns
Serve with fries, fresh fruit, or a side salad.

Video

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