Balsamic Onion Burgers with Crispy Cauliflower Fries

These balsamic onion burgers are a true burger lover’s dream. Topped with sweet, tangy caramelized onions and a creamy garlic aioli, every bite is packed with flavor. The crispy cauliflower fries on the side are a lighter alternative to regular fries, but just as satisfying.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner or weekend cookout, this recipe brings together juicy beef patties, soft brioche buns and a crunchy veggie side. The balsamic vinegar adds a rich depth to the onions, while the garlic aioli gives a punch of savory goodness.

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Ingredients

16 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

20 ounce Cauliflower FloretsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Dried OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 jar MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 unit Brioche BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and dry all produce. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with panko breadcrumbs, a generous drizzle of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast until golden brown, about 25 minutes. (Don’t worry if some crumbs fall off.)
2. Halve, peel and thinly slice the red onions. Mince or grate the garlic cloves.
3. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until softened, 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in balsamic vinegar, reduce heat to low and cook until very soft, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
4. Shape the ground beef into four evenly-sized patties. Season both sides with dried oregano, salt and pepper. Carefully wipe out the pan used for onions with a paper towel, then add a drizzle of oil and heat over medium-high heat. Cook patties to your desired doneness, 3-5 minutes per side.
5. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and minced garlic (start with a pinch and adjust to taste). Season with salt and pepper. Split brioche buns in half, place on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, 3-5 minutes.
6. Spread garlic aioli on the toasted buns, then top each with a burger patty and a generous portion of caramelized onions. Serve with the crispy cauliflower fries on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use frozen cauliflower for this recipe?

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

What can I substitute for brioche buns?

Any soft burger bun or even lettuce wraps work well. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free buns.

How do I make the aioli less garlicky?

Use just a pinch of minced garlic or substitute with garlic powder to taste.