Balsamic Onion Burgers with Crispy Cauliflower Fries

These balsamic onion burgers are all about big, bold flavor with simple ingredients. Juicy beef patties are topped with sweet and tangy balsamic caramelized onions and a creamy garlic aioli, all nestled in toasted brioche buns. The side of crispy cauliflower oven fries is a lighter alternative to traditional fries, but just as satisfying.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner or weekend cookout, this recipe comes together quickly with minimal fuss. The cauliflower fries are baked until golden and crunchy, while the onions slowly caramelize to perfection. Every bite is a delicious balance of savory, sweet and tangy.

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Ingredients

10 ounce Cauliflower FloretsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Dried OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Brioche BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. In a medium bowl, toss cauliflower florets with panko, a drizzle of oil, salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake until golden and crispy, about 25 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, halve, peel and thinly slice the red onion. Mince or grate the garlic clove.
3. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4-5 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar, reduce heat to low and cook until very soft and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate.
4. Shape ground beef into two patties slightly wider than the buns. Season both sides with oregano, salt and pepper. Wipe out the skillet, add a drizzle of oil and heat over medium-high. Cook patties to desired doneness, 3-5 minutes per side.
5. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with a pinch of garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Split brioche buns and toast in the oven until golden, 3-5 minutes.
6. Spread garlic aioli on the toasted buns. Assemble burgers with patties and caramelized onions. Serve with crispy cauliflower fries on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use frozen cauliflower?

Yes, but thaw and pat dry thoroughly before tossing with panko to ensure crispiness.

Can I substitute the brioche buns?

Absolutely. Any sturdy burger bun or even lettuce wraps will work.

How do I know when the burgers are done?

Cook to an internal temperature of 160°F for medium doneness or adjust to your preference.