What's better than burgers on the grill? Burgers Stuffed with Caramelized Onions...that's what!! You're going to flip over these burgers!
I originally shared this recipe in 2014. I've recently updated this post with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information, but the recipe itself has remained unchanged.
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making burgers stuffed with caramelized onions and wine is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
The ingredient list:
- ground beef (80/20 blend)
- sweet onions
- butter
- Pinot noir or other red wine
- salt and pepper
- fresh thyme
- bacon
- garlic powder
- Gruyere cheese
- Swiss Cheese
- buns
- condiments of your choosing
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- mixing bowls
- large skillet
- chef's knife or santoku
- cutting board
- slotted spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- burger ring (optional)
- neutral-flavored oil (for preparing the grill, optional)
- instant-read thermometer
- outdoor grill, grill pan, or skillet
- cheese grater
- long-handled grilling spatula
- kitchen cloth (for oiling the grill grates), optional
- kitchen twine (for oiling the grill grates), optional
- grilling gloves
- kitchen timer (optional)
How this recipe came to be:
Back in 2014 when I came up with the recipe, it was because I wanted to come up with a burger that would be fit for a Father's Day feast...A "man" burger, if you will.
This is what I wrote back in 2014-
Whenever I think about Father's Day, I can't help but think of grilling.
To me, foods cooked on the grill just speak to me of "man food" with giant steaks and burgers searing on an open flame.
Can't you just smell them already?
Can these stuffed burgers be made in advance?
Yes, they sure can, and I even recommend it.
I suggest making the wine-infused caramelized onions first and then cooling them completely.
After the onion are cooled make the burger patties and fill them with the cooled onions and the grated Gruyere cheese.
Seal the seams of the two patties well and keep them stored in the refrigerator (covered) for up to 6-8 hours.
How long do these stuffed burgers take to cook?
Since they are stuffed, these burgers will take longer to cook than your average one-patty burger. Plan on approximately 20-25 minutes.
Heat the grill, grill-pan, or skillet to medium-high.
Grill method:
Prepare the grill by adding some neutral-flavored oil to the grates of the grill after heating, using the kitchen towel method (shown below).
Cook the stuffed burgers for approximately 10 minutes on the first side, flip, and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes on the second side.
Grill pan or skillet method:
Heat the pan to medium-high.
Add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the burgers and cook for about 10 minutes on the first side, carefully flip, and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes on the second side.
Can ground turkey be used in place of ground beef for these burgers?
You bet.
Feel free to even use ground pork, chicken or lamb, but be aware that the cooking times will be different depending on which protein you choose.
Caution about stuffing ground turkey or chicken burgers:
When using ground chicken or turkey, the temperature of a properly cooked burger needs to be 165-degrees Fahrenheit (74-degrees Celcius) when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the ground meat portion of a stuffed burger.
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The step-by-step photo instructions for making burgers stuffed with wine-infused caramelized onions and cheese:
- In a large skillet over medium/high heat, sauté the onions in the butter until they start to get soft (approximately 2-3 minutes).
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of the Pinot Noir, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Continue cooking while stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the chopped thyme leaves.
- As the onions continue to cook down, add 4 more tablespoons of the Pinot Noir (2 tablespoons at a time) until the onions have cooked completely down, are very soft, and have become a deep red color *Note - This should take approximately 20 minutes.
- Remove the onions from heat and cool completely.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef and the remaining ⅛ cup Pinot Noir, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, the bacon, and the garlic powder.
- Scoop approximately ⅔ cup of the ground beef mixture and form 9, 4" round patties. Place the patties on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Top each patty with approximately 1 tablespoon of the Pinot Noir caramelized onions and on top of that, 1 tablespoon of the shredded Gruyere cheese.
- Form another 5" patty from the remaining ground beef mixture and place it on top of the onion and cheese topped patties.
- Press the edges of the two patties firmly together with your fingers so that the filling does not ooze out during the cooking process.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (I use a gas grill but if you're using charcoal, make sure the coals are evenly distributed throughout the grill surface and not flaming hot).
- Place the burgers onto the grill surface and allow to sear uncovered for approximately 10 minutes.
- Gently flip the burgers and continue to sear the other side uncovered for another 7-10 minutes.
- Place the cheese slices on each burger, cover, and allow the cheese to melt (approximately 2-3 minutes).
- Place each burger on a bun and top with your choice of condiments (or eat plain as I did to experience the full flavor of the pinot noir running throughout the entire burger).
Additional recipes using caramelized onions:
*French Onion Mac and Cheese (shown below, and in the featured video)
Today’s French Onion Mac and Cheese recipe has got your name written ALL over it, and I’m happily handing it to you! You’re welcome!
*German Onion Soup with Beer and Bratwurst (not shown)
German Onion Soup has plenty of caramelized onions, beer, bratwurst, and pretzel roll croutons. This delicious and hearty caramelized onion soup with a German flair will soon become a family favorite!
*French Onion Pork Chops (shown below)
All the flavors you love in a traditional French onion soup are captured in this recipe for French Onion Pork Chops. Make them ASAP and I promise you won’t be sorry!
*French Onion Sloppy Joes (not shown)
When you want to frugally feed a crowd for game day, or a hungry family at dinner, it doesn’t get much tastier than French Onion Sloppy Joes!
*Burgers Stuffed with Caramelized Onions (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's delicious stuffed burger recipe.
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
BURGERS STUFFED WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet onions thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup Pinot Noir divided
- 2 ½ teaspoons salt divided
- 1 ¼ teaspoons pepper divided
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves chopped
- 4 pounds ground beef I like 80% lean
- 1 pound bacon cooked, drained, and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
- 9 slices Swiss cheese more if desired
- 9 buns (your favorite variety)
- Condiments of your choice
Instructions
- -In a large skillet over medium/high heat, sauté the onions in the butter until they start to get soft (approximately 2-3 minutes).
- -Stir in 2 tablespoons of the Pinot Noir, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Continue cooking while stirring occasionally.
- -Stir in the chopped thyme leaves.
- -As the onions continue to cook down, add 4 more tablespoons of the Pinot Noir (2 tablespoons at a time) until the onions have cooked completely down, are very soft, and have become a deep red color *Note - This should take approximately 20 minutes.
- -Remove the onions from heat and cool completely.
- -In a large bowl, mix the ground beef along with the remaining ⅛ cup Pinot Noir, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, the bacon, and the garlic powder.
- -Scoop out approximately ⅔ cup of the ground beef mixture and form 9, 4" round patties. Place the patties on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.
- -Top each patty with approximately 1 tablespoon of the Pinot Noir caramelized onions and on top of that, 1 tablespoon of the shredded Gruyere cheese.
- -Form another 5" patty from the remaining ground beef mixture and place it on top of the onion and cheese topped patties.
- -Press the edges of the two patties firmly together with your fingers so that the filling does not ooze out during the cooking process.
- -Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (I use a gas grill but if you're using charcoal, make sure the coals are evenly distributed throughout the grill surface and not flaming hot).
- -Place the burgers onto the grill surface and allow to sear uncovered for approximately 10 minutes.
- -Gently flip the burgers and continue to sear the other side uncovered for another 7-10 minutes.
- -Place the cheese slices on each burger, cover, and allow the cheese to melt (approximately 2-3 minutes).
- -Place each burger on a bun and top with your choice of condiments, or eat plain to experience the full flavor of the pinot noir running throughout the entire burger).
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's delicious stuffed caramelized onion and cheeseburger recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Susan says
Oh yeah, these are some serious burgers! This would definitely make dad happy.
Alida says
My husband is a stuffed burger connoisseur, and I know he would just LOVE these. But honestly, with all that tasty goodness you have going on here, who wouldn't love them! YUM!
Meredith says
That looks like a happy father's day!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Man Burger, I love it. What's funny is that while my husband and I were walking the dog last night, he was telling me about how one of his co-workers mixes bacon in with hamburger before forming the patties. My husband thought it was strange, and I was like "What?!? That sounds AWESOME!!!" So, I guess I'm the one in our house that really wants a man burger 😉
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Oh My Lanta! What I wouldn't do for a bite of one of those burgers!
Angie Barrett says
I bet anyone in my family would LOVE these! Yum!
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
Now those are some manly burgers! I am trying these thank you thank you!
foody schmoody says
Now THAT is a burger!
Back for Seconds says
Oh I bet those onions make this amaaaaazing!
Angie says
Those are some amazing burgers! I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do this Sunday, but this is a great idea!
Ginny McMeans says
Wow! Your wine infused caramelized onions sound amazing!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom says
These man burgers would make my man weak in the knees! Love the sound of all those ingredients into one giant burger!
Paula-bell'alimento says
I could go for a big fat juicy burger right about NOW.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
"man burgers" hahaha! I love it!
Angela Sanchez-Robles says
My mouth hasn't stopped watering! One thing is stuffing burgers with caramelized onions - Another is caramelized onions with pinot noir! The smell must have been AMAZING!!
Katie says
Oooh my! The stuffing in these burgers is to die for! Definitely a manly burger, for sure!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I had to read that title twice, just to make sure I read it right. Holy moly, burgers. These look and sound amazing!
Amanda (The Kitcheneer) says
These look incredible!! What a wonderful take on the classic caramelized onions by adding Pinot Noir! YUM!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Those burgers look insane!
Liz Berg says
Oh, my gosh! Your stuffed cheeseburgers look terrific! Definitely man food, but I'd have no trouble eating my share 🙂
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
While this is definitely man food, I think this (wo)man would happily partake - they sound mouthwatering! 🙂
The Ninja Baker says
You have made man burgers but I do believe a few females might swoon over your creation, too =) Thank you for sharing the delicious how-to!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
This is my kind of burger! In fact, it kind of reminds me of the meatballs I made for today's #SUndaySupper!
Pam says
Typo - That's a Pam Burger not a Man Burger. Love it Rene
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
You managed to include every single favorite burger ingredient into ONE amazing burger! I can't wait to make these!!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Forget man burgers - I'd definitely take one or two of these delicious looking burgers!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
The name "man burgers" cracked me up! But what delicious manly burgers these are! I would love to bite into this and be surprised by this filling!
Family Foodie says
It's so true -- I feel the same way as you do Renee - I find myself thinking of different ways that I can feature wine in my recipes. Gallo Family Wines have been such an amazing inspiration. s
Peanut Butter and Peppers says
WOW! Those are some nice fat burgers! So perfect for Father's Day! I am loving this recipe!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
Nothing says Father's Day more to me than grilling!! love these man burgers!!! so perfect!
Lea Ann (Cooking on the Ranch) says
That top photo instantly made me want to go grill burgers … and it's only 5:45 in the morning. 🙂 Great choice for Father's Day. Looks delicious.
Renee says
Seriously awesome burgers Renee. I love caramelized onions and Pinot Noir. Stuffing them in a burger is simply genius.