Description
This Bacon and Goat Cheese Aioli Burger with Crispy Onions is a gourmet twist on the classic burger featuring juicy ground beef patties infused with red wine and green onions, topped with tangy goat cheese, thick-cut crispy bacon, and homemade garlic lemon aioli. The crowning glory is the addictive crispy fried onions soaked in buttermilk and coated in seasoned flour, adding a crunch and burst of flavor. Served on buttery toasted Million Dollar Buns, this burger delivers rich, smoky, and creamy layers for an unforgettable meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Aioli
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2-3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 2 tablespoons red wine
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Crispy Onions
- 1 large whole onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 to 2 quarts canola oil, for frying
Other
- 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
- 4 strips thick-cut bacon
- 4 Million Dollar Buns
- Butter, softened (for toasting buns)
Instructions
- Prep the onions: Slice the large onion into very thin rings, preferably with a mandoline for uniformity. Place these onion rings in a baking dish and cover them completely with buttermilk. Allow them to soak for one hour to tenderize and add flavor.
- Make the aioli: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Be cautious not to add too much lemon juice to prevent the aioli from becoming watery. Refrigerate until needed to let flavors meld.
- Form the burgers: In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, red wine, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and chopped green onions thoroughly using your hands. Divide the mixture into four equal patties, around 4-5 inches in diameter. Press down the centers of each patty slightly to prevent puffing up during cooking. Set aside on a plate.
- Cook the bacon: Cut each bacon strip in half and bake in the oven until crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess fat and keep crisp.
- Heat oil for frying: Pour 1 to 2 quarts of canola oil into a high-sided skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F. Ensure the oil is at least a couple of inches deep for proper frying.
- Prepare and fry the onions: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Drain the buttermilk-soaked onions, then toss them in the seasoned flour until thoroughly coated. Fry the onions in batches in the hot oil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until golden brown and crisp. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining onions.
- Grill the burgers: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Cook the patties for 3 to 5 minutes on one side, then flip. Immediately spread about 1 ounce of softened goat cheese on each patty and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes or until the desired doneness is reached.
- Toast the buns: Butter the cut sides of the Million Dollar Buns and place them cut-side down on the grill. Toast for 1 to 2 minutes until the buttered sides become crispy and golden.
- Assemble the burgers: Starting with the bun bottom, spread a generous layer of aioli, then place the burger topped with goat cheese, add a slice of crispy bacon, pile on the crispy fried onions, and finish with more aioli before capping with the top bun. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Using buttermilk to soak the onions helps tenderize them and adds tang for a better flavor and crunch.
- If you don’t have a mandoline, slice the onions as thinly as possible with a sharp knife to ensure they fry evenly.
- Bacon can be cooked in a skillet if you prefer, but baking is easier and produces less mess.
- Make sure the oil temperature stays at 375°F for crispy onions; adjust heat as needed.
- The goat cheese adds creaminess; soften it beforehand for easy spreading.
- Million Dollar Buns add a rich, buttery flavor but feel free to substitute your favorite burger buns.
