Pan-Seared Burger with Charred Onion and Mixed Greens Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

A juicy pan-seared beef burger topped with sweet charred onions, served alongside a fresh mixed greens salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. This american-inspired beef ready in about 30 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 520 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1, minced garlic clove
• 4 burger buns

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper; gently mix and form into four equal patties about 3/4-inch thick.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until onions are deeply browned and slightly charred; remove onions and set aside.
3. Step 3: Wipe skillet clean, then add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the four patties in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes on the first side until browned, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes for medium doneness.
4. Step 4: While burgers cook, prepare dressing by whisking 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, and 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl.
5. Step 5: Toss 4 cups mixed salad greens and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes with the dressing until lightly coated.
6. Step 6: Toast 4 burger buns in the skillet for 1 minute until golden, then assemble each burger with a patty, some charred onions, and serve immediately alongside the dressed salad.