andrejthechef
USABurgerDinner

Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Burger

A beef burger with tangy blue cheese and sweet, slow-cooked onions on a brioche bun. The onions take time, the rest is fast.

prep
35 min
cook
10 min
total
45 min
serves
2
level
medium
Beef burger on a brioche bun topped with melted blue cheese and caramelized onions

Blue cheese and caramelized onions are a classic burger pairing. The story goes that French bistros started it as a way to use up excess Roquefort, and American spots like New York’s Corner Bistro and Portland’s Le Pigeon made it their own. Sharp cheese, sweet onions, beefy patty. It works.

The onions are the whole job here. Give them the full 25 to 30 minutes over gentle heat and everything else falls into place.

method

  1. Slice the onions thinly, about 1/8 inch.

  2. Cook them in the butter and olive oil with the 1/4 teaspoon of salt over medium-low heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring now and then, until deeply caramelized.

  3. Stir in the balsamic vinegar for the last 5 minutes, if using.

  4. Form the beef into two 8 oz patties and press a dimple into the center of each.

  5. Season the patties generously with salt and pepper. Cook them 4 to 5 minutes per side.

  6. Top with the blue cheese for the last 2 minutes so it starts to melt.

  7. Stack the burgers on the buns with the caramelized onions.

chef's tips

  • The dimple keeps the patties flat. Without it they dome up as they cook.
  • Keep the onion heat low. If they brown too fast they turn bitter instead of sweet.
  • Don’t press the patties with the spatula. You will squeeze out the juices.
  • The onions can be made a day ahead. They reheat in a minute.