3 Way Onion Burger with Applewood Bacon and Aged Smoked Cheddar |

3 Way Onion Burger with Applewood Bacon and Aged Smoked Cheddar

3 Way Onion Signature Burger

By: Giselle Raymond, Culinary Curator

May 18, 2018
4 Servings
2 hr 10 min
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Ingredients

Chipotle BBQ sauce
1/2 stick butter
3 tbsps minced garlic
8 ounces tomato paste
2 1/2 cups water
1 small can chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, seeds removed and chopped
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsps red wine vinegar
3 tbsps yellow mustard
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 dark brown sugar
1 tsp paprika
3 tbsps molasses
2 tbsps honey
1/4 cup black cherry preserves
2 tsps ground cumin
BBQ Caramelized Onions
4 large red onions
1/2 stick butter
Minced garlic
1 cup Chipotle BBQ sauce
1 tsp each salt and pepper
Burger Patties
2 bunches scallions (green onions) for grilling
1 pound 80/20 ground chuck
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
8 slices Applewood smoked bacon
4 slices Aged smoked cheddar
4 Toasted pretzel buns
Onion Rings
2 large sweet Vidalia Onions
1/2 cup APF (all purpose flour)
1/2 cup blue or yellow corn meal
2 eggs
Salt

Directions

Step 1: Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add the garlic, tomato paste and water. Stir until tomato paste dissolves. Add the chopped chipotle peppers and sauce to the pan. Stir to combine. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Strain and set aside.
Step 3: Caramelized Onions:
Step 4: (Can be made a day or two ahead of time)
Step 5: Thinly slice the red onions. Melt butter in a large skillet and add garlic, onions, salt and pepper. Cook stirring occasionally until wilted and have browned. Add 1 cup chipotle BBQ sauce and simmer for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Beef Patties:
Step 7: Cut the root end off the scallions,. Brush with olive oil and place on the grill or in a grill pan. Grill all sides until grill marks appear. Remove, chop, and set aside.
Step 8: Place ground beef in a bowl and add chopped scallions, about 1 tbsp each salt and pepper. Mix together and form into patties about 1/2 inch thick.
Step 9: With 2 slices of bacon cut in half making 4 smaller pieces, then by weaving, create a lattice and fry until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Step 10: Place each patty on the grill, about 5-6 minutes on each side for medium well. Top burgers with cheddar the last minute of cooking. Place on a platter, cover with foil and set aside.
Step 11: Onion Rings:
Step 12: Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep heavy pot to 350 degrees F.
Step 13: While oil is heating, cut the onions into 1/4 inch thick slices and place in a large bowl. Mix flour, cornmeal and 2 tbsps salt and divide into 2 bowls.
Step 14: Wisk eggs together in small bowl.
Step 15: Coat onions, a couple slice at a time in flour mixture first, then eggs, then flour again. Repeat until they are all coated.
Step 16: Fry in oil until golden brown and set to drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with more salt immediately after frying.
Step 17: Assemble the burger:
Step 18: Butter the pretzel buns and toast.
Step 19: Place 1/4 cup caramelized onions on the bottom bun. Add patty and top with cheddar cheese, bacon lattice, and onion rings.
Step 20: Enjoy!

When I want to indulge, a big juicy cheese burger is my go to. With fries of course.

This was the burger that got me on the Food Network, specifically with Bobby Flay on Grill It! with Bobby Flay. I had such a great time cooking this burger on that show and sharing it with America. The burger uses 3 different treatments of onion: scallions inside the burger patty, caramelized onions, and fried onion rings to top it all off!

I have updated this recipe to include my new favorite, a buttery salty pretzel bun. The BBQ Caramelized Onions can be made a day or two before.This will be a new hit at your next cookout. For multiple burgers lay out the fixings on a platter for a build it yourself experience.