Ina Garten Smashed Hamburgers With Carmelized Onions

Ina Garten’s Smashed Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions is made with ground beef, red onions, Gruyère cheese, dry mustard powder, and red wine vinegar. This delicious Smashed Hamburgers recipe creates a tasty dinner that takes about 35 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.

This Smashed Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions Recipe Is From Modern Comfort Food Cookbook by Ina Garten

Ingredients Needed:

• Canola or grapeseed oil
• 4 cups (1 liter) sliced red onions (2 medium)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1½ teaspoons dry mustard powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1¼ pounds (570 grams) ground beef with 20% fat
• 1¼ cups (115 grams) grated Gruyère cheese
• 4 sandwich potato rolls, such as Martin’s
• Ketchup, for serving

How To Make Smashed Hamburgers With Carmelized Onions?

1. Caramelize the Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large (12-inch) sauté pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and starting to brown. Add sugar, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are browned and caramelized. Add vinegar and cook for 30 seconds to deglaze the pan.
2. Prepare the Burgers: In a small bowl, combine dry mustard, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Place ground beef in a medium bowl and sprinkle on the mustard mixture. Lightly work the mustard into the beef with your fingers and shape into four 1-inch thick patties. Place them on a plate and freeze for exactly 15 minutes.
3. Cook the Burgers: Heat a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 1½ tablespoons oil. From the freezer, place the burgers directly in the hot skillet. With a large metal spatula, firmly press each burger into the pan. Cook the burgers for 2½ to 3 minutes, without moving them, so the bottoms get browned and crusty. Flip the burgers, then spoon on the caramelized onions and sprinkle the Gruyère cheese on top. Place a lid on the skillet and cook the burgers for 1½ to 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the burgers are medium-rare inside.
4. Assemble and Serve: Place one burger on each roll and serve hot with ketchup on the side.

Recipe Tips:

• Use a Cast-Iron Skillet: A cast-iron skillet helps achieve a perfect sear on the burgers, making them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
• Don’t Overwork the Beef: Mix the dry mustard and seasoning gently into the ground beef. Overworking can make the burgers tough.
• Freeze the Patties: Freezing the patties for exactly 15 minutes helps them hold their shape during cooking and ensures a better texture.
• Press the Burgers Firmly: When cooking, use a spatula to press the burgers firmly into the skillet. This helps create a nice crust.
• Cover the Pan for Melty Cheese: Placing a lid on the skillet while the cheese melts helps it melt evenly and quickly, giving you perfectly gooey Gruyère.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Smashed Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions cool to room temperature. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature before freezing. Wrap each burger individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil and place the burgers in the skillet. Cook for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 burger

• Calories: 434
• Total Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sodium: 621mg
• Potassium: 430mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 22g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 29g

Try More Ina Garten Recipe:

• Ina Garten Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
• Ina Garten Crispy Chicken With Lemon Orzo
• Ina Garten Cheddar & Chutney Grilled Cheese