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Gourmet French onion soup burger served on a toasted brioche bun, topped with a pile of dark, glossy caramelized onion jam, melted Gruyere cheese, and fresh arugula.

French Onion Soup Burgers

Hilary PARKER
A decadent fusion of classic French onion soup and a juicy burger, topped with intensely sweet caramelized onions and melted Gruyère cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine French
Servings 4 servings
Calories 700 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the French Onion Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 large white onions halved and thinly sliced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry optional - see Pro Tip below!
  • 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
  • 1 clove garlic pressed or minced
  • 1½ teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup beef stock or broth
  • ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme

For the Burger Patties:

  • 1½ pounds lean ground beef 93/7 ratio, organic grass-fed if possible
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Cheese Topping:

  • 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
  • ½ cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
  • For the Garlic Mayo Optional but Highly Recommended:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
  • ½ teaspoon herbes de Provence

For Assembly:

  • 4 brioche buns toasted or warmed
  • Fresh thyme leaves for garnish optional

Instructions
 

  • Prep: Gather all ingredients. Slice the onions, grate the cheeses, and prepare the garlic mayo (if using).
  • Caramelize Onions: Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, salt, and pepper. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden-brown and soft
  • Build Sauce: Pour in sherry (if using) and reduce for 1 minute. Stir in garlic and herbs, then sprinkle in flour. Stir, then pour in beef stock and thyme. Cook for 1 minute, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Keep warm.
  • Make Patties: Gently mix ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Form into four patties, slightly larger than the buns (do not overwork the meat!).
  • Mix the Cheeses: Toss the Gruyère and cheddar together in a bowl. Sear Patties: Heat the skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
  • Sear patties for 3-4 minutes per side, until a golden crust forms and the desired doneness is achieved.
  • Melt Cheese: Top each patty with approx 1 tablespoon of the onion sauce, then pile on 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Cover and let sit for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is gloriously melted.
  • Assemble: Toast buns. Spread both halves with garlic mayo. Place the cheese-covered patty on the bottom bun. Spoon an additional 2-3 tablespoons of warm onion sauce over the cheese.
  • Serve: Add the top bun, garnish with fresh thyme (optional), and serve immediately, accompanied by plenty of napkins.

Nutrition

Serving: 1BurgerCalories: 700kcalProtein: 50gFat: 40g
Keyword Brioche bun burger, Caramelized onion burger, French onion burger, Gruyere burger, Onion jam burger, Onion soup burger
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