Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these Beef Bacon Cheeseburgers topped with sweet, caramelized onions. Experience a perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors in every bite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Beef Bacon (thicker cuts recommended)
- Cheese Slices (sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, American, or provolone)
- Sweet Onions (like Vidalia or Walla Walla)
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon Neutral Oil (like canola or vegetable)
- Pinch of Sugar
- Splash of Beef Broth or Balsamic Vinegar
- Burger Buns (Brioche or potato rolls recommended)
- Mayonnaise or Tangy Aioli
- Dijon or Whole Grain Mustard
Instructions
- Slice your onions thinly. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of neutral oil over medium-low heat.
- Add the sliced onions, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of sugar. Stir to coat.
- Cook very slowly, stirring occasionally, for 30-45 minutes (or even up to an hour), until the onions are deeply golden brown, soft, and sweet. If they start to dry out, add a tablespoon of water or beef broth to deglaze the pan. Towards the end, you can add a splash of balsamic vinegar for extra depth, cooking until evaporated. Remove from heat and set aside.
- While the onions are caramelizing, place the beef bacon strips in a cold skillet (or on a baking sheet for oven cooking).
- Cook over medium heat until crispy and beautifully browned, flipping occasionally. This usually takes about 8-12 minutes in a skillet. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
- Gently divide the ground beef into four equal portions. Form each portion into a patty, slightly wider than your bun, and about 3/4-inch thick. Don't overwork the meat!
- Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb.
- Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add a tablespoon of neutral oil if desired, or cook directly in a non-stick pan.
- Season the patties generously with salt and pepper on both sides right before cooking.
- Place the patties in the hot pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium, or longer for more well-done. Avoid pressing down on the patties.
- During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty. You can cover the pan for 30 seconds to help the cheese melt perfectly.
- While the cheese is melting, lightly butter or lightly oil the cut sides of your burger buns.
- Place them cut-side down in a separate dry skillet or on a grill pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, until golden brown and lightly toasted.
- Spread a thin layer of your chosen condiment (mayonnaise, aioli, or mustard) on both the top and bottom toasted bun halves.
- Place the cheesy beef patty on the bottom bun.
- Layer 2-3 slices of crispy beef bacon on top of the patty.
- Generously spoon the caramelized onions over the bacon.
- Place the top bun on and serve immediately!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Patience is key for caramelizing onions; low heat and time yield the best results. Don't overwork the meat when forming patties to keep them tender. Toasting the buns is essential to prevent sogginess.