Caramelized Onion
Bacon Beef Burger

Indulge in a gourmet burger featuring a juicy, thick beef patty topped with sweet caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and a signature tangy sauce.

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef
• 1 white onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 4 strips bacon
• 1 egg
• 50 g breadcrumbs
• 30 ml milk
• 15 ml rum
• 15 g brown sugar
• 10 ml balsamic vinegar
• 4 slices yellow cheese
• 2 burger buns
• 50 g mayonnaise
• 20 g ketchup
• 10 g mustard
• 10 g relish
• 20 g plain yogurt
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Slice the onion

   

   Place a fresh white onion on a wooden cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the onion into thin, even strips to prepare them for caramelization.

   Tip: Keep your fingers tucked while slicing to ensure safety.
2. 2Chop the bacon

   

   Take several strips of raw bacon and lay them flat on the cutting board. Cut the bacon into small, uniform pieces that will be easy to fry until crispy.

   Tip: Slightly chilling the bacon makes it much easier to slice into clean pieces.
3. 3Fry the bacon bits

   

   Add the chopped bacon pieces to a black non-stick pan over medium heat. Fry them, stirring occasionally, until the fat renders out and the bacon becomes golden brown and crispy.

   Tip: Remove the bacon pieces once they are crispy, but leave the rendered fat in the pan for sautéing the onions.
4. 4Sauté onions and garlic

   

   In the same pan used for the bacon, add the sliced white onions and minced garlic. Sauté them over medium heat until the onions become translucent and soft, beginning to take on a light golden color.

   Tip: Adding a pinch of salt helps draw moisture out of the onions, speeding up the softening process.
5. 5Caramelize the onions

   

   Add brown sugar, rum, and balsamic vinegar to the pan with the sautéed onions. Stir well over medium-low heat, allowing the mixture to reduce and the onions to become deeply caramelized and sweet.

   Tip: Keep the heat low during this stage to prevent the sugar from burning while the flavors concentrate.
6. 6Combine bacon and onions

   

   Once the onions are rich and caramelized, add the previously fried crispy bacon bits back into the pan. Stir everything together so the bacon incorporates with the sweet and tangy onion mixture.

   Tip: This savory and sweet combination is the foundation for the burgers intense flavor profile.
7. 7Prepare the beef mixture

   

   In a large wooden bowl, combine the ground beef with minced onion and an egg. Add the breadcrumbs and pour in the milk. These ingredients help the patty hold its shape while ensuring it remains tender and juicy after cooking.

   Tip: Using a combination of breadcrumbs and milk creates a panade, which keeps the meat moist throughout the cooking process.
8. 8Mix the ingredients

   

   Thoroughly mix the ground beef, minced onion, egg, breadcrumbs, and milk in a large metal bowl. Use your hands to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed, which is crucial for achieving a consistent texture in your patties.

   Tip: Mix vigorously by hand to help the proteins bind, ensuring the patties stay together during frying.
9. 9Shape the patties

   

   Take portions of the beef mixture and shape them into thick, round patties. Ensure they are uniform in size for even cooking, then set them aside in a container.

   Tip: Press a small indentation in the center of each raw patty to prevent them from puffing up too much while frying.
10. 10Fry the beef patties

    

    Place the prepared beef patties into a hot pan. Fry each side until the surface is well-browned and the patties are cooked through, resulting in a juicy interior.

    Tip: Use medium heat to ensure the thick patties cook through to the center without burning the exterior.
11. 11Cook the bacon

    

    Add the whole bacon strips to the pan. Fry them over medium heat until the fat renders and the edges turn crispy and golden brown.

    Tip: Cook the bacon until it reaches your desired level of crispiness, then drain on a paper towel if necessary.
12. 12Prepare the burger sauce

    

    In a small white bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, and plain yogurt. Mix until smooth to create a creamy, tangy, and refreshing sauce that will balance the richness of the beef.

    Tip: The yogurt adds a slight tang and a lighter consistency, making the sauce refreshing rather than heavy.
13. 13Spread the burger sauce

    

    Begin assembling the burger by spreading a generous layer of the creamy, tangy burger sauce evenly over the toasted bottom half of the bun. This refreshing sauce provides a perfect base and protects the bread from getting soggy.

    Tip: Toast the inner sides of your buns lightly before assembling to give them a crispy texture that holds up well against the rich sauce.
14. 14Add and melt the cheese

    

    Place your hot, freshly cooked beef patty directly onto the sauce-coated bottom bun. Lay a square slice of yellow cheese on top of the patty, allowing the heat to melt it, or use a blowtorch for a quick, even melt that drapes perfectly over the meat.

    Tip: If you dont have a blowtorch, cover your pan with a lid for about 30 seconds immediately after flipping the patty to steam-melt the cheese.
15. 15Top with caramelized onions and bacon

    

    Carefully pile the warm, cooked caramelized onion and bacon mixture directly on top of the melted cheese. This sweet, sour, and savory combination is the soul of the burger, perfectly cutting through the richness of the beef patty.

    Tip: Ensure your bacon bits are extra crispy before mixing them into the caramelized onions for the best textural contrast.
16. 16Add final sauce layer and top bun

    

    Spoon an additional, generous dollop of the creamy burger sauce directly over the caramelized onions and crispy bacon. Finish the assembly by placing the top bun onto the burger, ready to be pressed down so all the juicy, rich layers meld together.

    Tip: Applying sauce to both the bottom bun and the very top layer ensures that every single bite is incredibly juicy and full of flavor.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions