Description
Classic French onion soup merges with hearty burger perfection in this innovative culinary creation. Caramelized onions, melted gruyère cheese, and rich beef patties combine to deliver a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 4 slices Gruyere or Swiss cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
- Additional butter for buns
Instructions
- Carefully caramelize onions in a large skillet over medium heat at 325°F, melting butter and adding sliced onions with a sprinkle of sugar. Stir occasionally, allowing onions to transform into a rich, golden-brown color over 20-25 minutes. Deglaze with beef broth if onions begin to stick.
- Season ground beef with salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a mixing bowl. Gently blend seasonings without overworking the meat.
- Form seasoned beef into four uniform patties, creating slight indentations in the center to prevent bulging during cooking.
- Grill or skillet-cook patties to desired doneness, approximately 4-5 minutes per side for medium.
- Prepare garlic butter by mixing minced garlic with softened butter. Spread mixture onto burger buns and toast until edges turn crispy and golden.
- Layer each toasted bun bottom with a cooked beef patty, then generously top with caramelized onions and a slice of Gruyere cheese.
- Place assembled burgers under broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully until cheese melts and becomes slightly bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh thyme leaves, crown with toasted bun tops, and serve immediately while hot and aromatic.
Notes
- Always use sweet onions like Vidalia for deeper, richer caramelization with less bitterness.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar during onion cooking to enhance the caramelization’s depth and complexity.
- Gently mix ground beef to prevent overworking the meat, which can create tough burgers.
- Select grass-fed beef for more robust flavor and leaner protein profile.
- Toast buns just before assembling to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free buns and verify Worcestershire sauce ingredients.
- Consider alternative cheese like aged cheddar for different flavor variations.
- Rest burger patties for 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute internal juices and maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg