Grilled Michigan Beef Burger with Caramelized Onions and Cheddar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

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 fresh never frozen Michigan beef burger grilled to perfection, topped with sweet caramelized onions and sharp cheddar cheese on a toasted bun. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground beef (80% lean), yellow onion, sharp cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 1, 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 1 American cuisine 650 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz ground beef (80% lean)
1 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
2 slices sharp cheddar cheese
1 burger bun
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp butter

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Season 8 oz ground beef with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then form into a 4-inch patty about 3/4 inch thick.
Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced yellow onion and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown and caramelized.
Step 3: Place the burger patty on the grill and cook for 4 minutes on one side until grill marks form. Flip the patty; place 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese on top and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cheese melts and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Step 4: Meanwhile, spread 1 tbsp butter on burger bun halves and toast them on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden and slightly crisp.
Step 5: Assemble the burger by placing the patty with melted cheddar on the bottom bun, topping with the caramelized onions, and covering with the top bun. Serve immediately.