BACON-CHEDDAR BURGERS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS RECIPE | EPICURIOUS.COM

Bacon-Cheddar Burgers with Caramelized Onions Recipe | Epicurious.com image

In our never-ending quest for the best burger, we think we've hit on an outstanding version that requires nothing more than a trip to the supermarket and a short sojourn in the freezer for the bacon. Sure, there are those DIY purists who are going to buy several different beef cuts from a high-end butcher?if not butcher the beef themselves from their own grass-fed steer?then coarsely grind it with their own sterilized meat grinder, but most of us just want an easy recipe for a really great backyard burger. Burger-meisters might be shocked, but this burger does best by being cooked a bit more slowly, over indirect heat. So sit back, pop open a cold one, and let these burgers baste themselves into a sublime place. Editor's Note: This recipe is part of Gourmet's Modern Menu for Burger Bash. Menu also includes Homemade French Fries with Five Dipping Sauces and Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake.

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds onions (2 large), sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rings
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 pound sliced bacon, frozen 1 hour
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 to 8 thin slices extra-sharp Cheddar
4 hamburger buns or alternatives such as kaiser or brioche rolls
Sliced tomato
Soft-leaf lettuce leaves or baby arugula

Steps:

For caramelized onions:
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.
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.
For burgers:
Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas; see grilling procedure
).
Meanwhile, cut frozen bacon crosswise into eight sections and distribute evenly in bowl of a food processor, then pulse until finely chopped.
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.
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.
Brush cut sides of buns with butter.
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.
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.
Grill buns, buttered side down, until grill marks appear, about 1 minute.
Assemble burgers with buns and accompaniments, topping cheese with caramelized onions.
Cooks' notes:
Onions can be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered. Rewarm.
Patties can be formed 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before cooking.
If you plan on doubling the recipe, be aware that you will have to cook the burgers in batches.
If you are unable to cook outdoors, burgers can be cooked in a heated grill pan over medium to medium-low heat, covered the whole time, until they reach 160°F, about 1 minute.