Monterey Jack Beef Burgers with Balsamic Red Onions and Crispy Zucchini Fries

These Monterey Jack beef burgers bring together a juicy pan-seared patty, creamy garlic mayo, ketchup and glossy balsamic red onions tucked into toasted potato buns.

On the side, zucchini wedges get coated with a little aioli, panko, oregano, salt and pepper, then baked until golden for a crisp, vegetable-forward fry-style side.

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Ingredients

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

8 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Dried OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 jar MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 jar KetchupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Wash and dry the produce. Mince or grate enough garlic to measure about 1/4 teaspoon, using more if you prefer a stronger garlic flavor. Halve, peel and thinly slice the red onion. Cut the zucchini into 3-inch pieces, halve each piece lengthwise, then slice into thin wedges.
2. In a small bowl, stir together 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise with as much minced garlic as you like. Season with salt and pepper. This will be used as the garlic aioli.
3. Heat a drizzle of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, tossing occasionally, until softened and caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Stir the balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar into the onions. Cook until the mixture looks glossy and syrupy, 1 to 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
5. While the onions cook, place the zucchini wedges in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 tablespoon of the garlic aioli and toss to coat. Add the panko, dried oregano and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper; toss until the crumbs cling to the zucchini.
6. Lightly oil a baking sheet and spread the coated zucchini wedges in an even layer. Bake until the panko is golden brown, about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
7. Wash out the pan used for the onions. Heat another drizzle of vegetable oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Shape the ground beef into two patties, each about 4 inches wide and season all over with salt and pepper.
8. Cook the patties until nearly done to your liking, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Top each patty with Monterey Jack cheese, cover the pan and cook until the cheese melts, about 1 minute.
9. While the burgers cook, split the potato buns and place them on another baking sheet. Toast in the oven until golden, about 3 minutes.
10. Spread the cut sides of the buns with ketchup and the remaining garlic aioli. Add the cheesy beef patties and top with the balsamic onions. Serve with the baked zucchini fries on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

How long does this burger recipe take?

The recipe takes about 35 minutes from prep to serving.

What kind of cheese goes on these burgers?

Monterey Jack cheese is used. It melts over the hot beef patties after cooking.

How are the balsamic onions made?

Thinly sliced red onion is cooked in oil until caramelized, then finished with balsamic vinegar and sugar until syrupy.

Are the zucchini fries fried?

No. The zucchini wedges are coated with garlic aioli, panko, oregano, salt and pepper, then baked at 450°F until golden.

What buns are used for these burgers?

The burgers are served on toasted potato buns.