Description
The Ultimate Butter Burger recipe features juicy, flavorful beef patties topped with melty American cheese and sweet, buttery sautéed onions, all sandwiched in toasted, buttery buns. This classic American comfort food is elevated by rich butter used throughout the cooking process for an indulgent and delicious burger experience perfect for any burger lover.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- Sauté 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 the skillet and cook until the onions are tender, approximately 5 minutes.
- Brown the Onions: Reduce the heat to medium-low and remove the skillet lid. Continue cooking the onions until they become translucent and start to brown lightly, about 3 more minutes. Transfer the onions to a plate and divide into 4 equal portions to set aside for later use.
- Prepare the Burger Patties: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and gently shape each into a 4½-inch diameter, ½-inch thick patty. Sprinkle both sides evenly with the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¾ teaspoon black pepper. Place patties in the refrigerator to chill for 15 to 30 minutes, which helps maintain their shape during cooking.
- Butter the Buns: Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter on the top halves of each toasted bun. Set them aside until assembly.
- Cook the Patties: Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet used for the onions over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke. Add the patties and cook them undisturbed for 3 minutes to develop a good sear on the first side.
- Flip and Melt Cheese: Flip the patties carefully and cook for 1 more minute. Then, place one slice of American cheese on each patty and cook an additional 20 to 30 seconds or until the cheese melts perfectly.
- Assemble the Burgers: Transfer each cheesy patty to the bottom half of the bun. Top each with one-quarter of the sautéed onions. Cover with the buttered bun tops and serve immediately to enjoy the burgers at their best.
Notes
- Use sweet onions for a richer, sweeter flavor in the sautéed onions.
- Cooling the patties before cooking helps them hold their shape and achieve a nice crust.
- For even richer flavor, use homemade buns toasted with butter as suggested.
- Butter is essential at every stage for the classic buttery taste and juicy texture.
- Serve immediately to enjoy warm, melty cheese and perfectly toasted buns.
