I’m going to start off by saying a few obvious things: butter burgers are made with lots and lots of butter; they are incredibly flavorful and delicious; and they are not healthy. This recipe is everything I dream of when I’m on a diet, and it’s well worth the indulgence. It is made up of a pan-seared buttery burger patty, a slice of cheese, onions cooked in butter, and a soft bun covered in butter. It’s true to its name with all the butter!
What’s in a Wisconsin Butter Burger Recipe?
Butter: Salted butter is what makes every component of this recipe shine with a rich buttery flavor. I like to use high-quality European-style butter for the richest flavor. Onion: Sweet onion is my favorite for these burgers since it really shines when cooked in butter. Ground Beef: 90% lean ground beef is the best choice for these burgers since so much extra fat is being added. Hamburger Buns: A buttery brioche bun is the obvious choice here to keep that buttery flavor at the forefront. Cheese: American cheese has a mild and buttery flavor that beautifully complements these burgers, but any kind of melting cheese will work here.
Tips for Success
Be sure to cook the onions in butter and water and then brown them. Don’t skimp on buttering the bun tops. Yes, 2 tablespoons per bun top to be considered Wisconsin Butter Burgers. Be sure to cook the patties a full 3 minutes before flipping them. These burgers need a good sear to get the flavorful dark brown crust.
Serving Suggestions
I have so many favorite side dishes that are absolutely delicious with these butter burgers. Of course, french fries are the classic choice, but I also love fried pickles! Be sure to try serve it with my burger sauce and fry sauce to cut all that buttery goodness with a bit of tang!
Guide to Cooking Burgers at Home
See all of our favorite burger recipes plus tips and tricks for cooking the ultimate burger at home.
How to Make a Butter Burger Step by Step
Cook the Onions: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of salted butter over medium heat. Add the 1 chopped sweet onion, 1 tablespoon of water, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Cover and cook, until tender, about 5 minutes. Divide the Onions: Reduce the heat to medium-low and remove the lid. Continue to cook until onions are translucent and just beginning to brown, about 3 more minutes. Transfer the onions to a plate, and divide into 4 equal portions; set aside until ready to use. Portion the Patties: Divide 1 pound of 90% lean ground beef into 4 equal-sized portions and gently shape each into a 4½x½-inch patty. Sprinkle both sides of the patties with ½ teaspoon of salt and ¾ teaspoon of black pepper. Refrigerate the patties for 15-30 minutes. Butter the Buns: Spread 4 hamburger bun tops with 2 tablespoons of butter; set aside. Cook the Burgers: Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in the same skillet used for the onions until it begins to smoke. Use a spatula to transfer the patties to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes (without moving them). Melt the Cheese: Flip the patties and cook for 1 more minute. Place 1 American cheese slice over each patty and continue to cook until the cheese is melted, about 20-30 seconds more. Assemble the Burgers: Transfer patties to the bun bottoms and place ¼ of the sautéed onions on each patty. Top each with the buttered bun tops and serve immediately.
More Burger Recipes To Try
Stovetop Burgers Cheeseburger Sliders Air Fryer Hamburgers Baked Hamburgers BBQ Burgers
