French Onion Soup Burgers
French Onion Soup Burgers combine the deep sweetness of slow-caramelized onions, melty Gruyère cheese, and juicy beef patties on toasted buns to recreate the classic French onion soup flavors in a gourmet burger form. Perfect for any occasion, these burgers offer a comforting yet bold flavor experience with satisfying textures.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling, Sautéing, Toasting
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free buns are used)
For the Patties
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Caramelized Onions
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Other Ingredients
- 4 slices Gruyère cheese
- 4 burger buns (brioche or kaiser rolls recommended)
- Butter, for toasting buns
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat butter and olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Add thinly sliced yellow onions and cook slowly for 30-40 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown and sweet. Deglaze the pan with beef broth and balsamic vinegar, simmer until liquid reduces nearly completely. Stir in fresh thyme and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Form and Season the Patties: Shape the ground beef into 4 evenly sized patties about ¾ inch thick. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let patties rest at room temperature for a few minutes for even cooking.
- Cook the Patties: Heat a grill, skillet, or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook patties 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked to preferred doneness. In the last minute, place a slice of Gruyère cheese on each patty and cover to melt the cheese.
- Toast the Buns: Lightly butter the buns and toast in a skillet or oven until golden and crispy, ensuring texture and preventing sogginess from the onions.
- Assemble Your French Onion Soup Burgers: Start with the toasted bottom bun, add a scoop of caramelized onions, place the cheesy beef patty on top, add more onions if desired, and finish with the toasted top bun. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Patience is key when caramelizing onions; rushing can result in bitterness.
- Cover patties after adding cheese for a minute to ensure perfect melting.
- Let cooked patties rest for a few minutes before assembling to retain juiciness.
- Use fresh thyme over dried for enhanced flavor.
- Toasting buns well prevents sogginess and adds a pleasant crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: French Onion Soup Burger, caramelized onion burger, Gruyère cheese burger, gourmet burger, comfort food