Monterey Jack Cheeseburgers with Onion Jam and Crispy Zucchini

These aren’t just any cheeseburgers. Imagine a juicy beef patty, perfectly seasoned, topped with oozy Monterey Jack cheese and a sweet-tangy balsamic onion jam. A smear of garlic mayo on a toasted potato bun ties it all together.

On the side, crispy breaded zucchini wedges baked until golden. They’re the perfect crunchy companion to the rich, savory burger. This recipe is all about big flavors and satisfying textures, made right in your own kitchen.

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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 and position a rack in the upper third. Wash and dry all produce. Mince or grate the garlic. Halve, peel and thinly slice the red onion. Cut the zucchini into 3-inch pieces, then halve each piece lengthwise. Cut the halves into thin wedges.
2. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and as much garlic as you like (start with a pinch and add more to taste). Season with salt and pepper and 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. While the onion cooks, toss the zucchini wedges in a medium bowl 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 stick). Spread the zucchini in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake until the panko is golden brown, about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
5. Wipe out the pan used for the onions. Heat another drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Divide the ground beef into two equal portions and shape into patties. 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. Cover the pan and let the cheese melt, 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 a mild cheddar for a similar melt.

How do I make the onion jam ahead of time?

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

Can I grill the burgers instead of pan-frying?

Absolutely! Cook the patties on a preheated grill over medium-high heat for the same amount of time, then add cheese and cover to melt.