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Savory Smash Burgers Recipe with Caramelized Onion Jam on Brioche Buns Made Easy

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A quick and easy smash burger recipe featuring crispy crusted beef patties topped with sweet caramelized onion jam, served on soft brioche buns. Perfect for casual dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil or neutral oil
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • A pinch of salt
  • 4 brioche buns
  • 4 cheese slices (optional, American or cheddar)
  • Pickles (optional)
  • Leafy lettuce or arugula (optional)
  • Condiments like mustard or mayo (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the caramelized onion jam: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring every few minutes to prevent burning, until the onions are soft and golden brown—about 20 minutes.
  2. Add sugar and vinegar: Stir in 1 tbsp brown sugar and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes jammy. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Prepare the burger patties: Divide 1 lb (450 g) ground beef into four equal portions. Gently form each into a loose ball—don’t overwork the meat.
  4. Heat the skillet: Add 1 tbsp vegetable oil to your cast iron skillet and heat over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking.
  5. Cook the smash burgers: Place one beef ball in the hot skillet. Immediately press it down firmly with a spatula until it’s about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until crispy edges form and juices start to bubble on top.
  6. Flip and season: Flip the patty gently with your spatula, season with salt and pepper, and add a slice of cheese if using. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and burger is cooked through.
  7. Repeat: Cook the remaining patties the same way, wiping the skillet between batches if needed to prevent burned bits.
  8. Toast the brioche buns: Cut buns in half and toast them face down in the skillet for about 1 minute until golden and slightly crisp.
  9. Assemble your burgers: Spread caramelized onion jam generously on the bottom bun, add the smash burger, then your choice of pickles, lettuce, and condiments. Top with the bun crown and enjoy immediately!

Notes

Do not overwork the beef to keep burgers tender. Use high heat for a crispy crust. Be patient with the onion jam to avoid burning. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free, substitute butter with oil and skip or replace cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burgers, caramelized onion jam, brioche buns, easy burger recipe, quick dinner, crispy crust burger

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/savory-smash-burgers-recipe-with-caramelized-onion-jam-on-brioche-buns-made-easy/