If you’re a fan of French onion soup and burgers, this recipe is the ultimate comfort food mashup. These Easy French Onion Soup Burgers bring the rich flavors of the classic soup to a juicy burger. With caramelized onions, melted cheese, and savory broth, every bite feels like a warm, cozy hug. This delicious twist on a timeless favorite will leave you craving more!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter option)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 burger buns
4 slices Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
Directions
Preheat your grill or stovetop pan over medium-high heat.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden brown.
Add the sugar to the onions and continue to cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing the onions to caramelize further.
Stir in the beef broth, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Let the mixture simmer for another 3-5 minutes, until the broth reduces slightly and the onions are tender and coated in a thick, savory sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.
While the onions are cooking, season the ground beef with salt and pepper, then form it into four patties.
Grill or pan-fry the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired doneness.
In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of Gruyère cheese on each patty and cover with a lid to melt the cheese.
Toast the burger buns on the grill or in a pan until lightly browned.
To assemble, place the cooked beef patties on the bottom half of the buns. Spoon the caramelized onion mixture over the burgers, then top with the other half of the bun.
Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Variations
Vegetarian Option: You can use plant-based burger patties or grilled portobello mushrooms instead of ground beef for a vegetarian version of this recipe.
Cheese Options: While Gruyère is classic, you can also use Swiss cheese, provolone, or cheddar if you prefer a different flavor.
Buns: You can swap the traditional burger buns for brioche, whole wheat, or even lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
Storage/Reheating
Storing: Store leftover burgers and caramelized onions separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat the burgers and onions in a skillet over medium heat, or in the microwave until heated through. If needed, toast the buns again to give them a bit of crispness before serving.
FAQs
How do I make the onions caramelize faster?
I find that cooking the onions on medium heat, stirring occasionally, and adding a bit of sugar helps speed up the caramelization process. The sugar encourages the onions to brown more quickly.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes, ground turkey works great in this recipe! Just be sure to adjust the seasoning as turkey can be milder in flavor than beef.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
The caramelized onions can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat them and prepare the burgers fresh.
What’s the best cheese for this burger?
Gruyère is traditionally used for French onion soup, so I love using it on these burgers. However, Swiss cheese or even a sharp cheddar works well too!
Can I make this recipe on a stovetop if I don’t have a grill?
Absolutely! You can easily cook the burgers on the stovetop in a skillet. Just be sure to get the pan nice and hot before adding the patties.
Conclusion
This Easy French Onion Soup Burger recipe is a fantastic way to bring the comforting flavors of French onion soup into a delicious burger. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner or an easy meal for your next BBQ. With juicy burgers, sweet caramelized onions, and melted cheese, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. Enjoy!
📖 Recipe:
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Easy French Onion Soup Burgers
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
These Easy French Onion Soup Burgers combine the comforting flavors of classic French onion soup with the juicy satisfaction of a burger. Topped with caramelized onions, melty Gruyère cheese, and a savory sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort food mashup.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 burger buns
4 slices Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or stovetop pan over medium-high heat.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown.
- Add the sugar and continue to cook for another 5–7 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized.
- Stir in beef broth, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the liquid reduces and the onions are coated in a savory sauce. Set aside.
- Season ground beef with salt and pepper, and form into four patties.
- Grill or pan-fry the patties for 4–5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness.
- In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of Gruyère cheese on each patty and cover to melt the cheese.
- Toast the burger buns until lightly browned.
- Assemble the burgers by placing patties on the bottom buns, topping with caramelized onions, and adding the top buns.
- Garnish with thyme or parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Use plant-based patties or portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
Try different cheeses like provolone or cheddar for a twist.
Store onions and burgers separately for best results when reheating.
Use brioche or lettuce wraps for bun alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
