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A juicy pretzel bun burger with melted cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, and dripping white sauce on a wooden board.

Hearty Irish Pub Burgers with Stout Onions

Savor the taste of the Emerald Isle with these juicy Irish Pub Burgers, featuring robust beef patties, melted Irish cheddar, and sweet, savory stout-caramelized onions, all served on a toasted brioche bun with a tangy horseradish sauce.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Irish
Calories: 820

Ingredients
  

For the Stout Caramelized Onions
  • 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp brown sugar packed
  • 1/4 cup Guinness stout or other dark stout
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the Irish Cheddar Burgers
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 4 slices Irish sharp cheddar cheese
For the Irish Pub Sauce
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp prepared horseradish
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives finely chopped
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
For Assembly
  • 4 brioche burger buns toasted
  • 4 leaves green leaf lettuce
  • 1 large tomato sliced
  • 8-12 dill pickle chips

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Cast Iron Pan
  • Small saucepan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Prepare the Stout Caramelized Onions
  1. In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until softened and beginning to brown. Add 1 tsp brown sugar and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until deeply caramelized.
  2. Pour in the 1/4 cup Guinness stout. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated and the onions are glossy and tender, about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the Irish Pub Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, prepared horseradish, chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Form and Cook Burgers
  1. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Avoid overmixing. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form into 3/4-inch thick patties, slightly wider than your burger buns, as they will shrink during cooking. Press a shallow indentation in the center of each patty to prevent bulging.
  2. Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the burger patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer to your desired doneness. During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of Irish cheddar on top of each patty, cover the pan briefly, and allow the cheese to melt.
  3. While the burgers are cooking, lightly butter and toast the brioche buns in a separate pan or under a broiler until golden brown. Be careful not to burn them.
Assemble the Burgers
  1. Spread a generous amount of Irish Pub Sauce on both halves of each toasted bun. On the bottom bun, layer a piece of green leaf lettuce, a slice of tomato, and a few pickle chips. Place a cheesy burger patty on top. Spoon a generous amount of the stout caramelized onions over the burger patty. Top with the other half of the bun.
  2. Serve immediately with your favorite pub-style sides like fries or a crisp salad.

Notes

For best results, use good quality 80/20 ground beef for maximum flavor and juiciness. Adjust the amount of prepared horseradish in the sauce to your preferred level of spice. If you don't have Guinness, any dark stout or even a good beef broth can be used for the onions, though the stout adds a unique depth.