How to pep up your BBQ with a Spicy Burger with Balsamic Caramelized Onions

Level: Easy
Total time: 50min

My two teenage boys are very happy if they can get a burger and fries on the menu. This recipe for Spicy Burger with Balsamic Caramelized Onions is a summer favorite that we often do on the BBQ. If you have kids that are not fan of spicy food you can easily shape their steaks before adding the chopped chili to the remaining meat.

This meal gets a definite lift if you make the buns and french fries yourself. You can find the recipes for that here: Homemade airy Burger Buns

THE TIPS TO SUCCEED

1: The quality of the meat is important. If you can get it freshly ground from the boucher it is definitely worth it

2: Make sure the onions are cooked on medium/low heat so they get tender but not too fried

3: Grill your buns shortly on both insides. It will help it stay crunchy after you have put the sauce on it

Let’s get started

Ingredients

Balsamic caramelized onions

• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 pcs onions
• 3 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 ts Suger
• Salt and Pepper
• 200 ml Water

Burger steak

• 500 g Minced Meat Preferable freshly minced
• 1/2 bunch Fresh Coriander
• 1 Onion
• 1 pcs Red Chili
• 5 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• Salt and Pepper

Burger Sauce

• 100 ml Crème Fraiche
• 5 tbsp Ketchup
• 5 tbsp Thousand Island dressing
• 2 tsp Cognac Optional
• Salt and Pepper

Other Ingredients

• 4 pcs Burger Buns Homemade airy Burger Buns
• 4 slices Cheese Cheddar or other
• 4 leaves Green Salad. I prefer Iceberg, but you can use any salad
• 2 pcs Tomatoes Cut in slices
• 8 slices Cucumber

How to do it

Balsamic Caramelized Onions

Start by cutting the onions in half and then in thin slices. Fry the onion in the olive oil at medium/low heat for 10-15 minutes. Please make sure the heat is not too strong as the onions are supposed to become soft and very slightly colored, but not brown.

Once your onions are tender, add the balsamic vinegar and sugar and continue to cook for a short minute. Then pour in the water and let it cook until all the water has disappeared. Keep in a bowl covered with a plate to keep it hot

Burger Steak

Chop the onions finely. You can choose to add them raw to the meat or as I prefer, to fry them over medium/low heat for approx 10 minutes.

Take off the Coriander leaves, cut the chili in half on the long side, remove the seed and chop it all finely.

Then add all the ingredients together in a bowl and work it together with your hands. Make sure to adjust with salt and pepper before to form 4 burger shaped steaks

Cook either in the pan or on the BBQ (For a medium steak cook for approx 3-4 minutes on each side). You can add the cheese slices on top of the burgers once you have turned them over and let it melt. If needed you can add a lid for a short moment.

Burger Sauce

Simply just add all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix with a fork or spoon.

How to serve the Spicy Burger with Balsamic Caramelized Onions

To assembly your burger put a tbsp of burger sauce the bottom and top part of the burger bun. Place your leaf of salad and slices of tomato. Add the Burger steak topped with the caramelized onions and cucumber. You can serve it with french fries and/or a salad.