Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! We all have those moments when we’re craving the deep, savory flavors of French onion soup, but what we really want is a juicy burger. This French Onion Soup Burgers recipe is the perfect solution. It’s a genius mashup that takes all the best parts of both dishes—the sweet, caramelized onions, the rich broth, the melted Gruyère cheese, and a perfectly cooked beef patty—and puts them all in a bun. This is a burger that’s so good, you’ll be dreaming about it long after you’ve had the last bite.
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love most about this recipe is how it captures the essence of French onion soup in a completely new and exciting format. The patient, slow caramelization of the onions is the key to the entire dish, creating a deep, sweet flavor that is the perfect complement to the savory ground beef. The melted cheese on top adds that classic, irresistible gooeyness, and the a touch of rich beef broth brings it all together in a perfect, messy bite. This recipe is a fantastic way to impress your friends and family with a creative and delicious meal that’s a true celebration of comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 slices Gruyère cheese
- 4 burger buns, toasted
Swaps and Notes
- Ground Beef: I prefer a ground beef with a fat content of 80/20 for the juiciest burgers. You can use a leaner beef, but you might want to add a splash of olive oil to the pan when you cook the patties.
- Onions: Yellow onions are the best for caramelizing, as they have a higher sugar content.
- Cheese: Gruyère is the classic choice for French onion soup, and its nutty flavor and fantastic melt are perfect here. Swiss cheese would also be a good substitute.
- Buns: A sturdy brioche bun or a ciabatta roll would work well and stand up to the rich toppings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, golden brown, and beautifully caramelized. This step takes patience, but it is the most important part of the recipe!
- Make the Burger Patties: While the onions are caramelizing, gently form the ground beef into four equal patties. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Finish the Onions: Once the onions are caramelized, add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes, until it has thickened slightly. Set the onions aside.
- Cook the Burgers: In the same skillet, or a separate one, cook the burger patties over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for your desired doneness.
- Assemble and Melt: During the last minute of cooking, top each burger patty with a generous amount of the caramelized onions, then a slice of Gruyère cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for about 1 minute, or until the cheese is completely melted and gooey.
- Serve: Place the cheesy, onion-topped patties on toasted buns and serve immediately.
Tips for Success
- Low and Slow on the Onions: Don’t rush the caramelization of the onions! Low heat is key to getting that deep, sweet flavor without burning them.
- Don’t Overwork the Beef: When forming the patties, be gentle. Overworking the meat can make the burgers tough.
- Rest the Burgers: While not as critical as a steak, letting the patties rest for a minute or two after cooking can help them stay juicy.
- Use a Good Skillet: A heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven is perfect for this recipe as it retains heat well and cooks everything evenly.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These French Onion Soup Burgers are a meal in themselves. They’re rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying. You can serve them with a simple side of potato chips or a fresh green salad to add some freshness. For a fun party spread, they would go perfectly with other cheesy, indulgent snacks like Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter or with a platter of sheet pan quesadillas.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 8g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This burger is best eaten fresh. The caramelized onion mixture can be stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the onions gently in a skillet and then use them to top a freshly cooked burger patty.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy easy, cheesy, and satisfying comfort foods, you might also like these other recipes:
- This Crockpot Nacho Dip is the reason I never have leftovers
- How I turned a classic sandwich into the ultimate cheesy hot dip
- This Instant Pot Lasagna is my favorite way to make comfort food fast
- This Dorito Casserole is my favorite weeknight dinner shortcut
Final Thoughts
These French Onion Soup Burgers are a perfect example of a new classic. They’re a simple, clever mashup that delivers on big, comforting flavor every single time. It’s a fun and easy way to get a fantastic meal on the table, and it’s guaranteed to become a new favorite in your home.
What’s your favorite creative burger topping? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below! Be sure to follow me for more recipes that are as simple as they are irresistible.
French Onion Soup Burgers: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 4 slices Gruyère cheese
- 4 burger buns
- Fresh thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sliced onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are caramelized, about 20 minutes.
- Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet, and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
- While the onions are cooking, shape ground beef into 4 patties and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill or pan-fry the patties over medium-high heat until they reach your desired doneness, about 3-4 minutes per side for medium.
- Top each patty with a slice of Gruyère cheese and cover until melted, about 1-2 minutes.
- To assemble, place a burger patty on each bun, spoon caramelized onions on top, and garnish with fresh thyme if desired.
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