- 8 slices of thick cut bacon, diced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or balsamic) add to taste.
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam (not necessary, but it can make this extra sweet and thick)
For the Onion Burgers:
- 2 lbs ground beef (preferably 85% lean)
- 2 or 3 large onions, very thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil
- 8 slices of cheese (American works best as the flavor won't outclass the burger)
- 8 hamburger buns
Making the Bacon Jam:
Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it turns crispy.
- remove the bacon and reserve several teaspoons of the bacon grease for the onions.
- Add the finely chopped onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat until they become translucent and start to caramelize, about 10-15 minutes.
Add Brown Sugar and Vinegar:
- Stir in brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Cook until the mixture becomes thick and syrupy, about 5-7 minutes.
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Mix in Jam if you want it a little sweeter:
- Add the strawberry jam and cooked bacon. Stir until the jam melts and everything is well combined. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Ideally, you want to make this earlier in the day or the day before.
Making the Onion Burgers
Prep Onions and Meat:
- In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef with plenty of ground salt and pepper. Feel free to add extra onion powder to taste. Shape into fist-sized balls. Keep the meat loose for a juicy burger.
- Heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat in another skillet, preferably cast iron.
If you're good with cast iron and have a well-seasoned pan, you don't need the oil. Just make sure it's hot. The fat in the meat will release a lot of oil, and the burgers shouldn't stick. Plus, it makes them extra crispy on the outside.
Cook the Burgers
- Place the beef balls in the skillet, and add a large amount of sliced onions to the top of each one. Don't be shy here. Using a metal spatula, press each ball into a thin patty to create a crispy crust. Cook until the edges start to brown and crisp, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Flip and make sure to press down again to get the onions spread out and cook.
- Add cheese.
Assembling the Burgers:
- Remove the bun bottoms. Spread a layer of bacon jam to taste.
Add the Patty:
- Place the burger patty with bun and melted cheese on top, and the onions on the bottom.