Monterey Jack Cheeseburgers with Balsamic Onion Jam and Crispy Zucchini

These aren’t just any burgers-they’re loaded with gooey Monterey Jack cheese, a sweet and tangy balsamic onion jam and a punchy garlic mayo. Every bite is a flavor explosion. Plus, we’ve added crispy panko-crusted zucchini wedges on the side for that irresistible crunch.

This recipe is designed for home cooks who want a restaurant-quality meal without the fuss. The onion jam comes together in minutes and the zucchini bakes up golden in the oven while you cook the patties. It’s a complete dinner that’s sure to impress.

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Ingredients

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Dried OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon KetchupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) with a rack in the upper position. Wash and dry all produce. Mince or grate the garlic clove. Halve, peel and thinly slice the red onion. Cut the zucchini into 3-inch-long pieces, then halve each piece lengthwise and cut into thin wedges.
2. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and as much minced garlic as you like (start with a pinch and add more to taste). Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
3. Heat a drizzle of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar. Continue cooking until the mixture becomes syrupy, 1-2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the onion jam to a small bowl and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini wedges with ½ tablespoon of the garlic mayo until evenly coated. Add the panko breadcrumbs, dried oregano and a generous pinch of salt and pepper; toss until the crumbs stick to the zucchini (it’s okay if not all crumbs adhere). Spread the zucchini in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake until the panko is golden brown, about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
5. While the zucchini bakes, wipe out the pan used for the onions. Heat another drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Shape the ground beef into two patties and season both sides with salt and pepper. Cook the patties until they reach your desired doneness, 3-5 minutes per side. Top each patty with Monterey Jack cheese, then cover the pan to melt the cheese, about 1 minute.
6. Split the potato buns in half and place them cut-side up on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until golden, about 3 minutes. Spread the cut sides of the buns with ketchup and the remaining garlic mayo to taste. Assemble the burgers: place a patty on each bun bottom and top with as much onion jam as you like. Serve the crispy zucchini wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese instead of Monterey Jack?

Yes, you can substitute with provolone, mozzarella or any good melting cheese.

Can I make the onion jam ahead of time?

Absolutely! The onion jam can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving.

What can I serve instead of zucchini?

Try using sliced eggplant or bell peppers prepared the same way. You can also serve with a side salad or fries.