Description
This Ultimate Butter Burger recipe combines juicy, perfectly seasoned beef patties with rich buttered buns and sweet, tender sautéed onions. Topped with melted American cheese, these burgers deliver a luscious, flavorful experience that’s simple to make in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Butter and Onions
- 12 tablespoons salted butter, softened and divided (1¼ sticks)
- 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
Burger Patties
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
Buns and Cheese
- 4 homemade burger buns, toasted
- 4 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, water, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. Cover and cook until the onions are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Finish Cooking the Onions: Reduce heat to medium-low and remove the lid. Continue to cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and start to brown lightly, about 3 more minutes. Transfer the onions to a plate, divide into four equal portions, and set aside for later use.
- Prepare Burger Patties: Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and gently shape each into a 4½ by ½-inch patty. Sprinkle both sides of each patty with the remaining kosher salt and ground black pepper. Refrigerate the patties for 15 to 30 minutes to help them hold their shape.
- Butter the Buns: Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over the top half of each toasted burger bun. Set the buttered buns aside.
- Cook the Patties: Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet used for the onions over medium-high heat until the butter begins to smoke. Place the patties carefully in the skillet and cook them without moving for 3 minutes to develop a good sear.
- Finish Cooking the Patties: Flip each patty and continue cooking for an additional minute. Then, place one slice of American cheese on each patty and cook for about 20 to 30 seconds more, until the cheese melts perfectly.
- Assemble the Burgers: Place each cheesy patty on the bottom half of a toasted bun. Top each with a quarter portion of the sautéed onions. Cover with the buttered bun tops and serve the burgers immediately while warm and juicy.
Notes
- For juicier patties, avoid pressing down on the burgers while cooking.
- Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
- Butter the buns generously for a richer taste and toasting enhances texture.
- Sweet onions work best for balanced sweetness, but yellow onions can be used as a substitute.
- Serving immediately ensures buns stay crisp and the cheese melts at its best.
