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Make the Onion-Wrapped Flying Dutchman for a delicious, low-carb burger experience. Skip the buns and wrap your juicy beef patties in caramelized onions. Add cheese for extra flavor, and enjoy a unique twist on a classic burger.
😍Why You’ll Love This Onion-Wrapped Flying Dutchman
- Low-Carb Option: Skips the bread buns, making it great for those watching their carb intake.
- Rich Flavor: Caramelized onions add a sweet, rich taste that enhances the juicy burger patty.
- Healthier Alternative: Offers a delicious and healthier twist on the classic burger.
Don’t forget to check out our Air Fryer Turkey Burgers, Lamb Burger, and Ground Chicken Burgers for more delicious options!
✅You’ll Need
Burger Sauce:
- Mayonnaise (⅓ cup): For a healthier option, you can use Greek yogurt or a light mayonnaise.
- Ketchup (3 tablespoons):If you prefer a less sweet option, tomato paste with a bit of vinegar and sugar can work.
- Relish (3 tablespoons): Gives a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Yellow Mustard (1 teaspoon): Dijon mustard will work too.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tablespoon): Provides acidity to balance the flavors. White vinegar or lemon juice can be used as substitutes.
- Worcestershire Sauce (1 teaspoon): Adds umami and depth.
- White Sugar (1 teaspoon): Balances the acidity. Honey or a sugar substitute like stevia will work too.
- Salt and Pepper to taste: Adjust to your taste.
Onion Buns and Patties:
- Yellow Onion (1 large): Acts as the “bun” and adds sweetness when caramelized. White or red onions can be used as well.
- Vegetable Oil (2 tablespoons, divided): Used for cooking the onions and patties. Any neutral oil like canola, grapeseed, or avocado oil will work.
- Sugar (as needed): Helps caramelize the onions. Can be omitted if you prefer a less sweet taste.
- Ground Beef (1 pound, preferably 80/20): Provides juiciness and flavor. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat.
- Worcestershire Sauce (1 teaspoon): Adds umami to the patties.
- Garlic Powder (1 teaspoon) & Onion Powder (1 teaspoon): Enhance the flavor in the patties.
- American Cheese (6 slices): Melts perfectly over the patties. You can also use Cheddar, Swiss, or any good melting cheese.
🔪How to Make Onion-Wrapped Flying Dutchman
In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Cut 4 slices, each ½-inch thick, from the center of the onion. Discard smaller ends. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper.
Mix ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Divide into 4 portions and shape into thin patties.
Preheat a large flat grill over medium-high heat.
Grill onion slices for 2 minutes, undisturbed.
Place beef patties on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Flip onions and patties, pressing the burgers as they cook, until golden brown.
Add 6 cheese slices on top of TWO onion slices and both burger patties.
Place one burger on the cheese-topped onion slice, then top with the second burger patty.
Add the remaining onion slice (without cheese) over the burger and press down.
Wrap in parchment paper or lettuce and serve.
🗄️Storage and Reheating
- To store leftovers, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap each burger in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, place the burgers in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
❓FAQs
Choose large, firm onions and slice them thickly. Cook them slowly over medium heat to maintain their shape and caramelize them evenly.
Yes, you can prepare the patties in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bring them to room temperature before cooking for best results.
These burgers pair well with sweet potato fries, a simple green salad, or grilled vegetables. You can also serve them with dipping sauces.
If you tried this recipe and loved it, please leave a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and comment below to let me know how it turned out! Feel free to ask any questions about the recipe there, and I’ll get right back to it.
Onion-Wrapped Flying Dutchman
Ingredients
Burger Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 tablespoons relish
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Onion Buns and Patties
- 1 large yellow onion, cut into 4 slices, each ½-inch thick
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sugar, as needed
- 1 pound ground beef, preferably 80/20
- 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 slices of American cheese
Instructions
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire, sugar, salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Set aside.
Prepare Onions and Beef:
- Cut 4 slices, each 1/2-inch thick, from the center of the onion. Discard the smaller end pieces.
- Season them with sugar, salt and pepper. Keep aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Divide the meat into 4 portions and shape each portion into a very thin patty.
Cooking on the Flat Grill:
- Heat a large flat grill over medium-high heat.
- Place the onion slices on the grill and cook, undisturbed, for about 2 minutes.
- Add the beef patties to the grill and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the onion slices and patties, pressing the burgers as they cook, until golden brown.
Assembling the Burgers:
- Add 6 cheese slices to the top of TWO onion slices and both burger patties.
- Place one burger on the cheese-topped onion slice, then top with the second burger patty. Place the onion slice (without cheese) over the burger and press down.
- Wrap in parchment paper or lettuce and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Now this was next-level! The caramelized onion wrapping around the juicy beef patty was genius. It’s like a burger without the bun but even better!
That’s high praise, Leo! It’s definitely a bunless burger with a flavorful twist!