These Burger onions are sweet and soft with just enough saltiness to make them irresistible! A delicious, easy way to add flavor to burgers.
Craving a delicious burger? Burger onions are the perfect way to top off your homemade burgers. They’re soft, sweet, and add the perfect flavor and texture. With our easy-to-use recipe, you can make the best burger of your life in just minutes.
Why This Recipe Works
- The combination of brown sugar and honey makes for an amazing caramelization, which you can taste in every bite.
- Balsamic vinegar adds an extra layer of flavor and brightness to the dish.
- Varying heat levels – Starting the onions over a higher heat helped them release their excess moisture. Then once slightly broken down, we lowered the heat until it softened. Then finished by turning up the heat to help with deep browning (hello, flavor). This took about 10 minutes instead of the typical 15 to 20.
Onion Buying Guide
When choosing onions, pay attention to the firmness, skin quality, and color. Here are a few tips:
Onions should be firm to the touch, without any bruising or blemishes. The skin should be dry, with no brown spots or mold. Choose onions that are a deep, rich color, or for white onions, choose the most vibrant and avoid onions that are pale or have green spots. Store onions in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight.
Ingredient Notes
Onions: I used red onions, but you can also use yellow or white onions.
Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work great in this recipe.
Honey: Use mild-flavored honey for this recipe such as Clover Honey (AKA runny honey).
Balsamic vinegar: You can use regular balsamic vinegar or white or apple cider vinegar makes a great alternative.
Step By Step Instructions
Cut 2 pounds of onions in half and then slice them into thin pieces that are about ¼ inch thick.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Then put red onions in the frying pan. Cook them for 2 to 3 minutes on high heat, stirring often so they don’t stick to the pan. Lower the heat and cover them. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until they are soft.
Remove the lid, and add the honey and balsamic vinegar.
Then add the brown sugar.
Mix to combine and raise the heat to medium-high, stirring occasionally until they are caramelized. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Stir to combine. Taste for seasoning before adding them to your burger.
Erren’s Top Tips
- You can use any type of onion you like for this recipe, such as yellow, white, or even pearl onions.
- If you want to make sure the onions are cooked evenly, cut them into evenly sized slices.
- If you find that the onions are sticking to the pan, add a little water to the pan.
Make ahead and Freezing Instructions
Caramelized onions can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to one month.
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Let’s Make Burger Onions
Ingredients
- 2 lbs onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Halve 2 pounds of onions and slice ¼ inch thick through the root end.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until shimmering.
- Stir in onions, cover, and cook (stirring occasionally), until onions are softened and release their juices, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid; Add the brown sugar, honey, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high, and continue to cook, stirring often, until onions are deeply browned about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Taste for seasoning before serving.
Tobias says
These are delicious, and great for burgers. They definitely aren’t caramelised, though, just sweetened—caramelising onions takes well over an hour, not fifteen minutes!
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you for your feedback, Tobias! You’re absolutely right that traditional caramelized onions can take quite a bit longer to achieve that deep, rich caramelization. In this recipe, we aim to create a quicker version that still imparts a sweet and flavorful touch to burgers without the lengthy cooking time. However, for those seeking the classic deeply caramelized flavor, taking the extra time to cook the onions low and slow would indeed be the way to go. Your insight is appreciated!
Erren Hart says
Thank you for leaving a comment about this recipe. Your feedback is appreciated, and I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future recipes. Thanks again for trying it out and sharing your thoughts!
Vonda says
These Burger Onions are fantastic! The sweetness of the brown sugar and honey really complements the natural balsamic vinegar flavor of the onions. Everyone went crazy for them!
Erren Hart says
I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you for trying out this recipe and for leaving such a positive review. We’re glad you enjoyed it and hope you’ll come back again soon!
Erren Hart says
Thank you for trying our burger onions Kerry, and for leaving such a positive review. We’re glad you enjoyed them!
Erren Hart says
Wonderful to hear, Delores! You’re the best! 🙂
Erren Hart says
It is such a pleasure to hear that you enjoyed the recipe. I’m so glad we could provide something yummy and exciting to serve on the 4th!