Classic Beefy Burger with Caramelized Onions and Melted Cheddar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-27 · Updated 2026-06-27

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A juicy grilled beef burger topped with sweet caramelized onions and sharp melted cheddar cheese, served on a toasted bun for a satisfying comfort meal. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ground beef (80/20), salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 670 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 American cuisine 670 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cheddar cheese slices
4 burger buns
1 tbsp olive oil
4 lettuce leaves
8 tomato slices

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook slowly for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply golden and caramelized. Remove from heat.
Step 2: While onions cook, divide 1 lb ground beef into 4 equal portions and form into patties about 3/4-inch thick. Season both sides of each patty with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (400°F). Brush 4 burger buns with 1 tbsp olive oil and toast on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden.
Step 4: Grill beef patties for 4 minutes on the first side until nicely seared, then flip. Place 1 slice cheddar cheese on each patty and cook for an additional 3 minutes until cheese melts and patties reach desired doneness.
Step 5: Assemble burgers by layering lettuce leaf, tomato slices, the cheesy beef patty, and a generous spoonful of caramelized onions on each toasted bun bottom. Top with the bun lid and serve immediately.