Skillet Monterey Jack Cheeseburgers with Balsamic Red Onions and Zucchini Fries

These skillet cheeseburgers layer juicy beef patties with melted Monterey Jack, tangy-sweet balsamic red onions, garlic aioli and ketchup on toasted potato buns.

On the side, zucchini wedges get coated with aioli, panko and oregano, then roasted until golden for a crisp, vegetable-forward burger-night pairing.

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Ingredients

1 Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

8 Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 Dried OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 KetchupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Wash and dry the produce. Mince or grate enough garlic to measure 1/4 teaspoon, using more or less to taste. 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 the mayonnaise and as much minced garlic as you like. Season the garlic aioli with salt and pepper.
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 deeply browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Stir the balsamic vinegar and sugar into the onions. Cook until the mixture turns glossy and syrupy, 1 to 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the onions to a small bowl.
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 a single layer. Roast until the panko is golden, about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through. It is fine if some crumbs fall onto the pan.
7. Wash out the pan used for the onions. Heat another drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Shape the beef into two patties, each about 4 inches wide and season all over with salt and pepper.
8. Cook the patties for 3 to 5 minutes per side, until nearly cooked to your preferred doneness. Top each patty with Monterey Jack cheese, cover the pan and cook about 1 minute more, until the cheese melts.
9. While the burgers cook, place the split potato buns on a second baking sheet. Toast in the oven until golden, about 3 minutes.
10. Spread the cut sides of the toasted buns with ketchup and the remaining garlic aioli. Add the cheeseburgers and top with as much balsamic red onion as you like. Serve with the roasted zucchini fries on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

How long does this burger recipe take?

The recipe takes about 35 minutes from start to finish.

What makes the red onion topping jammy?

The onions are cooked until caramelized, then finished with balsamic vinegar and sugar until the mixture becomes syrupy.

Do all the breadcrumbs need to stick to the zucchini?

No. Some panko may fall off during tossing or roasting and that is expected.

Can I use more garlic in the aioli?

Yes. The method calls for adding as much of the minced or grated garlic as you like, so adjust it to your taste.

When should I toast the buns?

Toast the split potato buns while the burgers are cooking. They need about 3 minutes in the 450°F oven.