French Onion Soup Burgers
French Onion Soup Burgers combine the rich, caramelized flavor of classic French onion soup with juicy, perfectly grilled beef patties topped with melted Gruyère cheese. This unique recipe transforms comfort food into a handheld delight featuring savory onions, nutty cheese, and a subtle herbal note from fresh thyme, ideal for casual dinners or special gatherings.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling and Sautéing
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps)
For the Patties
- 1 lb high-quality ground beef (well-marbled)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Caramelized Onions
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (plus extra sprigs for garnish)
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- Pinch of salt
For Assembling
- 4 French rolls or brioche buns
- 8 slices Gruyère cheese
- Butter, for toasting buns
Optional Toppings and Variations
- Crispy bacon
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Caramelized apple slices
- Smoked paprika or cayenne pepper (for spiced beef)
- Gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps (for gluten-free option)
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and sprinkle with a pinch of salt to help draw out moisture. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes until the onions are golden brown, soft, and deeply caramelized. Add fresh thyme and a splash of beef broth to deglaze the pan and enhance the flavor.
- Prepare the Patties: In a mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef with salt and black pepper. Avoid overworking the meat to keep the patties tender. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape into patties slightly larger than the buns to ensure juiciness when cooked.
- Cook the Patties: Preheat a grill or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each patty for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until reaching your preferred level of doneness. Just before removing from heat, top each patty generously with caramelized onions and slices of Gruyère cheese, allowing the cheese to melt over the residual heat.
- Toast the Buns: Butter the cut sides of your buns lightly. Toast them on the grill or in a pan until golden and crisp, adding texture to complement the soft cheese and onions.
- Assemble the Burgers: Place the cheese-melted, onion-covered patties on the toasted buns. Add any additional toppings or a drizzle of beef broth reduction if desired. Crown with the top bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Caramelize onions low and slow for maximum sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Handle ground beef gently to maintain tender, juicy burgers.
- Add cheese at the end of cooking to ensure a perfect melt without burning.
- Let cooked patties rest for a few minutes before assembling to retain juices.
- Use sturdy buns to hold all the flavorful components without falling apart.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: French onion soup burger, caramelized onion burger, Gruyère burger, comfort food burger, grilled burger, savory burger