Bacon-Cheddar Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Name: Bacon-Cheddar Burgers with Caramelized Onions
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1½ pounds onions; to taste salt and pepper; 3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar; ½ pound sliced bacon; 1½ pounds ground beef chuck; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 slices extra-sharp Cheddar; 4 pieces hamburger buns; 1 whole tomato; 4 leaves lettuce; 1 piece instant-read thermometer

Juicy beef burgers enriched with ground bacon and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese and sweet caramelized onions. Served on buttery grilled buns with fresh vegetables for the perfect backyard barbecue experience.

4 servings

1 hr

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•1½ pounds onions
•to taste salt and pepper
•3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
•½ pound sliced bacon
•1½ pounds ground beef chuck
•1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
•1 teaspoon salt
•½ teaspoon black pepper
•2 tablespoons unsalted butter
•4 slices extra-sharp Cheddar
•4 pieces hamburger buns
•1 whole tomato
•4 leaves lettuce
•1 piece instant-read thermometer

Cooking Instructions

1.
Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook onions with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, covered, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened, 15 to 20 minutes.
20 min
2.
Reduce heat to medium-low, then add vinegar, scraping up the brown bits on bottom of the skillet, and cook, uncovered, stirring, until liquid evaporates, 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl and keep warm, covered.
2 min
3.
Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas; see grilling procedure ).
10 min
4.
Meanwhile, cut frozen bacon crosswise into eight sections and distribute evenly in bowl of a food processor, then pulse until finely chopped.
5 min
5.
In a large bowl, distribute bacon evenly over beef and drizzle mixture with Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
3 min
6.
Combine mixture as gently and thoroughly as possible with your fingers (be careful not to overmix). Form into 4 patties, about 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick.
5 min
7.
Brush cut sides of buns with butter.
1 min
8.
Oil grill rack, then sear patties directly over coals (or lit burner or burners), covered only if using a gas grill, moving to area of grill with no coals (or over shut-off burner) if flare-ups occur, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
6 min
9.
Move burgers to area with no coals (or over shut-off burner) and grill, covered, turning once, until they reach 155°F on instant-read thermometer, about 4 minutes total. Top with cheese to taste and heat, covered, until it melts and burgers register 160°F, about 1 minute. Transfer burgers to a clean platter.
5 min
10.
Grill buns, buttered side down, until grill marks appear, about 1 minute.
1 min
11.
Assemble burgers with buns and accompaniments, topping cheese with caramelized onions.
2 min

Ingredients

•3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

•1½ pounds onions

•to taste salt and pepper

•3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

•½ pound sliced bacon

•1½ pounds ground beef chuck

•1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

•1 teaspoon salt

•½ teaspoon black pepper

•2 tablespoons unsalted butter

•4 slices extra-sharp Cheddar

•4 pieces hamburger buns

•1 whole tomato

•4 leaves lettuce

•1 piece instant-read thermometer

Cooking Instructions

Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook onions with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, covered, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened, 15 to 20 minutes.

20 min

Reduce heat to medium-low, then add vinegar, scraping up the brown bits on bottom of the skillet, and cook, uncovered, stirring, until liquid evaporates, 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl and keep warm, covered.

2 min

Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas; see grilling procedure ).

10 min

Meanwhile, cut frozen bacon crosswise into eight sections and distribute evenly in bowl of a food processor, then pulse until finely chopped.

5 min

In a large bowl, distribute bacon evenly over beef and drizzle mixture with Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

3 min

Combine mixture as gently and thoroughly as possible with your fingers (be careful not to overmix). Form into 4 patties, about 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick.

5 min

Brush cut sides of buns with butter.

1 min

Oil grill rack, then sear patties directly over coals (or lit burner or burners), covered only if using a gas grill, moving to area of grill with no coals (or over shut-off burner) if flare-ups occur, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

6 min

Move burgers to area with no coals (or over shut-off burner) and grill, covered, turning once, until they reach 155°F on instant-read thermometer, about 4 minutes total. Top with cheese to taste and heat, covered, until it melts and burgers register 160°F, about 1 minute. Transfer burgers to a clean platter.

5 min

10.

Grill buns, buttered side down, until grill marks appear, about 1 minute.

1 min

11.

Assemble burgers with buns and accompaniments, topping cheese with caramelized onions.

2 min