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French Onion Burgers

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Turn your favorite French onion soup into a burger masterpiece with juicy beef patties, sweet caramelized onions, melted Gruyère cheese, and an optional side of broth for dipping.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:54:00 GMT
A close-up of a decadent burger with Gruyère cheese melting over a beef patty, caramelized onions, and a shiny brioche bun, served with fresh herbs. Pin it
A close-up of a decadent burger with Gruyère cheese melting over a beef patty, caramelized onions, and a shiny brioche bun, served with fresh herbs. | chefmelt.com

I whipped up this French Onion Soup Burger during a kitchen adventure and wow, it's been a total hit. Take a bite of this juicy burger loaded with sweet caramelized onions and melted Gruyère cheese - it's basically your favorite French onion soup turned into the most mind-blowing burger ever. My kitchen always smells unbelievably good whenever I cook these up.

What Makes These Special

These burgers mix the comfort of French onion soup with the satisfaction of biting into a great burger. And guess what? You don't need anything fancy or any chef skills to make them. Whenever friends eat these at my place, they're shocked I made them myself because they taste like they came from a fancy restaurant.

Main Components

  • Ground Beef: Stick with 80/20 beef for the juiciest results. The fat really does matter for flavor.
  • Onions: Sweet onions cooked slowly until they turn golden and sticky are key.
  • Gruyère Cheese: This stuff melts perfectly and brings that wonderful nutty taste.
  • Buns: Get ones that won't fall apart when loaded with all the good stuff.
  • Beef Broth: A little splash makes those onions taste incredible.
  • Butter and Olive Oil: Using both helps get those onions perfectly caramelized.
  • Seasonings: Regular salt and pepper work great, and throw in fresh thyme if you've got some.

Simple Cooking Instructions

Time to Eat
Serve these beauties hot off the grill. They go great with some crunchy fries or a green salad on the side.
Build Your Burgers
Put your hot patty on the bun, add a heap of those amazing onions and place Gruyère on top so it gets all gooey.
Make Your Patties
Mix in plenty of seasoning with your beef, form them into patties and cook to your liking. I prefer my cast iron pan but grilling works wonders too.
Get Those Onions Going
Cut your onions into thin slices, put them in a pan with butter and olive oil, and let them cook slowly. Stir occasionally and add beef broth when things look dry. They'll need around 30 minutes to turn perfectly golden.

Tricks for the Best Results

Don't rush those onions, cooking them slowly is really important. Can't find Gruyère? Swiss cheese works fine too. Always toast your buns, it makes a huge difference. And remember to let your patties sit for a bit after cooking so they stay nice and juicy.

A close-up of a juicy cheeseburger with caramelized onions on a glossy brioche bun, garnished with herbs and sea salt. Pin it
A close-up of a juicy cheeseburger with caramelized onions on a glossy brioche bun, garnished with herbs and sea salt. | chefmelt.com

Different Ways to Make It

I sometimes use ground turkey when we want something lighter. You can try different melty cheeses if you're in the mood for something new. Adding some garlic-cooked mushrooms on top is amazing, and I've really been enjoying these on brioche buns lately for a bit of sweetness.

Great for Every Gathering

I've served these at family dinners, friend get-togethers, and quiet nights in with my partner. They always get compliments no matter when I make them. Grab a red wine or your favorite beer and you've got yourself an awesome meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How much time does it take to caramelize onions?

You’ll need 20 to 25 minutes for perfectly golden caramelized onions.

→ Is wine optional in the recipe?

Sure, you can just add more beef broth instead of wine.

→ What are some swaps for Gruyère cheese?

If you don’t have Gruyère, Swiss or provolone work nicely as substitutes.

→ Why choose beef with 80/20 fat content?

Burgers need a bit of fat to stay moist and flavorful, which is why 80/20 is great.

→ Can the caramelized onions be made ahead of time?

Definitely! Store them and warm them back up gently before using.

French Onion Burgers

Rich, savory burgers crowned with Gruyère cheese, caramelized onions, and nestled on soft brioche buns. A meal that feels right out of a Paris café.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French-American

Yield: 4 Servings (4)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 Two big onions, thinly sliced.
02 A tablespoon of olive oil.
03 Two tablespoons of butter.
04 A pinch of salt (about 1/4 teaspoon).
05 One teaspoon of sugar.
06 1/4 cup beef stock.
07 A splash (1/4 cup) of white wine, optional.
08 Around 700 grams (1.5 lbs) of 80/20 minced beef.
09 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
10 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
11 A full teaspoon of salt.
12 A few sprigs of fresh thyme leaves (optional).
13 Four slices of Gruyère cheese.
14 Four buttery brioche rolls.
15 Two tablespoons of melted butter.

Instructions

Step 01

Slowly cook the onions for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they're a rich golden brown.

Step 02

Pour in the beef broth and the optional white wine to moisten the onions while cooking.

Step 03

Blend the minced beef with Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and salt. Divide and press the mix into burger patties.

Step 04

Set the patties on a hot grill for about 4-5 minutes per side until cooked how you like.

Step 05

Top each patty with a slice of Gruyère cheese and let it fully melt.

Step 06

Brush the brioche rolls lightly with melted butter and toast them until golden.

Step 07

Pile the caramelized onions onto the burgers, add thyme if using, and serve alongside the leftover broth for dipping.

Notes

  1. Be patient when making the onions.
  2. You can prepare the onions ahead of time.
  3. Try not to handle the meat too much.
  4. The broth on the side is great for dipping!

Tools You'll Need

  • A good-sized skillet.
  • A grill or a flat griddle plate.
  • A mixing bowl for combining ingredients.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy products like butter and Gruyère cheese.
  • Gluten in the brioche rolls.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~