French Onion Soup Burger Recipes

FRENCH ONION SOUP BURGERS

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until some of the fat has rendered and the bacon is just starting to crisp, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and add the onion, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is very crisp and the onions are deep golden brown and caramelized, about 15 minutes. If the pan is getting too dark, add 2 tablespoons of water and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan; continue to cook until all the water has evaporated.
• Meanwhile, stir together the mayonnaise, whole-grain mustard and Dijon in a small bowl. Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons butter on the inside of each bun. Shape the ground beef into four 6-ounce patties, each about 1/2 inch thick. Use your thumb to make a deep depression in the center of each patty. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat a griddle (preferably cast-iron) over medium-high heat and grease with some butter. Place the buttered buns on the griddle and cook until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Move to a cutting board. Place the burgers on the griddle and cook, undisturbed, until the bottoms are well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the burgers and top with 1/2 cup of cheese each. It is ok if it spills over -- it will get crispy that way. Cover with a large heat-proof bowl and continue to cook until the cheese is completely melted and starting to crisp on the griddle, about 2 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook until the edges of the cheese are crispy, about 2 minutes. (This timing should result in medium-rare to medium burgers.) Transfer to the bottom buns.
• Top the burgers with the caramelized onions and bacon. Spread the Dijonnaise on each top bun, then sandwich together and serve.

STUFFED FRENCH ONION SOUP BURGER

Steps:

• For the onion jam: Heat a large saute pan, then toss in the onion and garlic slices with 2 tablespoons oil and a generous pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the Marsala, brown sugar and mustard and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. (Do not rush this step, because properly caramelized onions make this burger top-notch!) Stir in the vinegar and cook to blend in, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
• For the burgers: In a medium bowl, break up the meat and spread it up on the sides of the bowl so that the seasoning really permeates. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper. Gently mix in the Marsala, soy sauce and Worcestershire. Do not overmix. (The more you work the meat, the tougher the burger.) Form the meat into 4 even patties that are about 3/4-inch thick and transfer to a baking sheet.
• Use a spoon to gently scoop out a little meat and make a hole or pocket in the center of each patty that does not go all the way through to the bottom. Place about 1/4 cup Gruyere in the hole of each patty. Flatten the piece of meat you scooped out and press it over the cheese so that it's hidden in the middle of the patty. Turn the patty on the other side that it is weighing down on the seam. Repeat with the remaining patties. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining 4 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle the patties lightly with salt. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, arrange the patties in a single layer, cheese-pocket-side down, at a distance from one another. Cook the patties, undisturbed, until the bottom browns, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the patties on their other sides and let the bottoms brown again, 3 to 5 minutes. Lower the heat and add the stock to the skillet and cover. Cook on low heat until the patties are cooked through, 8 to 10 additional minutes. Remove the cover, shut off the heat under the skillet and let the patties rest with the heat off.
• Arrange the bun halves in a single layer on a baking sheet and sprinkle each bun half with about 1/4 cup Gruyere. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and toast until the buns are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and melted, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the bun bottoms on a flat surface. Mix the onion jam and remaining cup Gruyere into the liquid in the skillet. Taste for seasoning. Spoon some of the onions and liquid on each bun bottom and top with the patties and more onions. Top with a few slices of pickle and season the bun tops with a pinch of salt. Close the burgers and serve.

FRENCH ONION BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it starts to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt, reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden, 15 more minutes. Add the chicken broth and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and simmer until the onion is tender and the liquid is almost evaporated, 8 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler. Mix the beef, onion powder and the remaining 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce in a bowl with your hands. Form into four 3/4-inch-thick patties and place on a broiler pan. Make an indentation in the center of each with your thumb; season the patties with salt. Broil, turning once, 5 minutes.
• Place the buns cut-side up on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with both cheeses and broil until melted, about 1 minute. Spread mustard on the buns; sandwich with lettuce, the burgers and caramelized onion. Serve with potato chips.