Grilled Newt's Style Burger with Beer-Infused Onion Jam
A hearty grilled burger inspired by Newt’s Apple Valley with a rich beer-infused onion jam and melty cheddar cheese. This american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices cheddar cheese slices
- 4 burger buns
- 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup beer (lager or ale)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 8 slices tomato slices
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper; gently form into four 4-inch diameter patties without overworking the meat.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion, cook for 10 minutes until soft and translucent, then stir in 1/2 cup beer and 1 tbsp brown sugar; simmer for 15 minutes until the liquid reduces and onions caramelize into a jam, set aside.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the patties for 4 minutes on one side, flip, place a slice of 4 cheddar cheese on each patty, and grill for an additional 3-4 minutes until cheese melts and the burger reaches desired doneness.
- Step 4: Lightly toast 4 burger buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden and warm.
- Step 5: Spread 1/4 cup mayonnaise evenly on the bottom halves of the buns, top with grilled patties, 2 slices of tomato per burger, fresh lettuce leaves, and a generous spoonful of beer-infused onion jam.
- Step 6: Close burgers with top buns and serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Newt's Style Burger with Beer-Infused Onion Jam take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Newt's Style Burger with Beer-Infused Onion Jam?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Newt's Style Burger with Beer-Infused Onion Jam?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Newt's Style Burger with Beer-Infused Onion Jam for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Newt's Style Burger with Beer-Infused Onion Jam?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.