Gourmet Blue Cheese Burger

Ingredients

• Ground beef (1 pound (80/20 blend for juiciness))
• Salt (1 teaspoon)
• Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
• Onions (2 large, thinly sliced)
• Blue cheese (4 ounces, crumbled)
• Burger buns (4, preferably brioche or artisan)
• Tomato (1 large, sliced)
• Lettuce (4 leaves, preferably romaine or butter lettuce)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt, cooking until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
2. While the onions are caramelizing, season the ground beef with salt and black pepper. Gently form the beef into 4 equal patties, making a slight indentation in the center of each to prevent puffing during cooking.
3. Preheat your grill or a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for about 5 minutes on one side. Flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness.
4. In the last minute of cooking, top each patty with crumbled blue cheese, covering the skillet or grill with a lid to help melt the cheese.
5. Toast the burger buns lightly on the grill or in a toaster.
6. Assemble the burgers by placing the cooked patties on the bottom half of each bun. Top with caramelized onions, fresh lettuce, and sliced tomato. Finish with the top half of the bun.
7. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes and sauces.