My version of the Caprese Burger has Balsamic Caramelized Onions on top of mozzarella cheese, a slice of beefsteak tomato, fresh basil AND pesto slathered all over that burger. Man is this one of my favorite burgers now. The burger is loaded with fresh garden herbs to really make this a standout burger option. Who needs restaurants, right? My secret ingredient for cooking lean ground beef (among others) is a bit of mayo in the burger mix! This meal came together in all of a half an hour too, so it makes for a fancy weeknight dish. While the red onions are slowly caramelizing in butter, whip up the burgers! I served this with my Artichoke, Avocado, and Tomato Salad and it was a great balance of massive flavors on the tongue.

Now you could serve this with a bun, but why lose all of the tasty innuendoes that the ingredients offer by masking them with bread? You do as you wish, but it isn’t necessary, and makes for a fun Keto or Low Carb meal option.

These babies need to cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes. Once they start turning a bit clear (around 6 minutes) you can’t ignore them or they will burn. They’re like a needy friend. Keep stirring them every minute or 2. Add salt and pepper to them during this time and DON’T WALK AWAY. Just stick around the kitchen and prepare the rest of your meal while these turn into the most magical onions you’ve ever tasted. Just at the end you add the balsamic. WOWIE ZOWIE!

This is what the onions should look like when you add the balsamic vinegar; browned but not burnt.

Can you even handle how amazing these look? The flavor is so sweet! They will keep in your fridge, in a sealed container, for up to a week too! Why not double it?

I use sustainably farmed, organic beef as I think it is important what you put in your body. You are what you eat. I don’t like the idea of eating meat that contains steroids, or whatever else those poor cows are fed. If you are using 85% lean and 15% fat ground beef, my secret is to add a big ol’ dollop of mayonnaise. (The linked brand is non GMO and made with humane free range eggs!) Not too big of a dollop though or they will fall apart. I add fresh basil, oregano, and garlic in the burger mixture. Treat that cow right, right?

Cook these babies for about 4 minutes per side, depending on how chunky they are. I like to cook them in a cast iron pan, but you can definitely put these on your grill too. Is it just me or do I think the meat contains more flavor when you cook them in a pan? Whatever you do, they will taste fantastical.

Look at the lovely browned side of these burgers. They are going to cook fast so keep track of how long they cook for. Lean ground beef will cook faster than the fattier cuts, so adding a bit of mayonnaise helps to keep them from drying out. Add your mozzarella cheese slices here so they melt.
Song for the Prep: Dregs by Bass Drum of Death
I was late to the party in finding out about this band. Woof. This song is kinda swanky, kinda sleazy, and kinda hot! Wait is that a descriptive of my Caprese Burger?
Caprese Burger with Balsamic Caramelized Onions
- June 23, 2021
- 4-5
- 30 min
- Print this
Ingredients
- ONIONS
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 2T butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2T balsamic vinegar
- BURGERS
- 1.5 lbs organic ground beef, 85/15
- 1 T extra virgin olive oil
- 2T mayonnaise
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 C freshly chopped basil (or 1 T dried basil)
- 3T freshly chopped oregano (or 1/2 T dried oregano)
- 1T freshly chopped thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- Mozzarella cheese slices
- TOPPINGS:
- Beefsteak tomato slices
- Pesto
- Fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Step 1
- ONIONS – In a non-stick pan cook the onion in butter over medium heat. After they turn a bit clear (5-6 minutes), add salt and pepper. Stir often so they don’t burn. Keep cooking for 12-15 more minutes, or until they start to brown. Then add the balsamic vinegar and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat. These will keep in sealed container for up to 1 week.
- Step 2
- BURGERS – Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl, get your hands dirty and mix them by hand.
- Step 3
- Heat olive oil in cast iron pan (or not if you grill) over medium heat.
- Step 4
- Form burger meat into 4-5 patties and cook for 4 minutes. Flip burgers, add mozzarella slices and remove from heat after 4 more minutes if you like your burger done medium.
- Step 5
- Serve burgers topped with pesto, beefsteak tomato slices, fresh basil leaves, and caramelized onions.