Description

This French onion cheeseburger recipe combines caramelized onions cooked with a touch of sugar and cider vinegar, topped with melted Gruyère cheese on juicy grilled beef patties. Served on toasted brioche buns with fresh watercress for a burst of peppery freshness, this burger offers a gourmet twist on a classic favorite, balancing savory, sweet, and tangy flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Onion Topping

2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
½ tbsp light brown soft sugar
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

Burgers

2 beef burgers
2 slices Gruyère cheese

Buns and Garnish

2 brioche buns
2 handfuls watercress

Instructions

Caramelize the Onions: In a large non-stick frying pan, melt the butter with the oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook gently for about 15 minutes until they turn golden and sticky, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
Add Flavor to Onions: Stir in the light brown soft sugar, cider vinegar, and wholegrain mustard into the cooked onions. Mix well to combine and let it cook for another minute to meld the flavors together.
Grill the Burgers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the beef burgers on a baking sheet and grill for 5 to 8 minutes on each side or until fully cooked through.
Melt the Cheese: For the last minute of grilling, place a slice of Gruyère cheese on each burger and grill until the cheese is bubbling and melted.
Toast the Buns: Lightly toast the brioche buns under the grill or in a toaster until golden brown and crisp.
Assemble the Burgers: On the bottom half of each toasted bun, place the cheesy burger patty, then spoon over the sticky caramelized onion mixture. Top with a handful of fresh watercress and cover with the bun tops to serve.

Notes

For juicier burgers, choose beef with around 20% fat content.
Gruyère cheese adds a rich, nutty flavor, but you can substitute with Swiss or Emmental.
Adjust cooking time based on burger thickness and preferred doneness.
Watercress adds a peppery crunch; arugula can be used as an alternative.
Use high-quality brioche buns for a rich, buttery taste and texture.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: French-inspired American

Keywords: French onion cheeseburger, caramelized onions, grilled burger, Gruyère cheese burger, brioche bun burger, gourmet cheeseburger