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Bring an iconic Wisconsin and American classic to life at home with my indulgent butter burger recipe, and give in to your naughtier side as you chow down and savor every rich, juicy, meaty, and buttery mouthful!
Butter Burger Recipe
What is a Butter Burger?
Believed to have been invented in Wisconsin, and today, a popular dish particularly in the north and midwest of the United States, a butter burger, quite simply, is exactly as it sounds!
A butter burger sees butter added atop a classic hamburger, via being generously spread on the top patty, as popularized in the 1930s by Solly’s Grille, whom many believe invented the style of butter burger we know and love today, and Krolls’ restaurant.
The addition of butter makes the hamburger even more rich and juicy. From there, you can treat it as you would any hamburger, enjoying it with cheese, onions, and a wide range of toppings, along with crispy fries and other sides.
Ingredients
To make my butter burger recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For each burger:
- Burger Bun – 1 regular burger bun
- Ground Beef – 4 oz (115 grams) ground beef (ideally sirloin)
- Salt – 1/4 tsp salt
- Black Pepper – 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Butter – 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Cheese – 1 slice Cheddar cheese (optional)
- Oil – 1 tbsp (for pan-frying) – any neutral oil with a high smoke point (vegetable, sunflower, canola)
For the stewed onions (per burger):
- Onion – 1/2 medium sweet onion
- Salt – 1/4 tsp salt
- Butter – 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- Water – 1 tbsp water
Step 1 – Chop the onion and add the onion to a small pot with 1 tbsp of butter per half an onion, 1 tbsp of water, and 1/4 tsp salt. Set on medium heat and cook, stirring for 2 minutes until the butter has melted. Cover the pot, turn the heat down to medium-low, and let it stew for about 10-12 minutes until soft and translucent.
Step 2 – Take 4 oz of ground beef and form a ball. Then, form the burger patty. You can do so by pressing with your hands.
Or you can do so by pressing the ground beef ball between two pieces of non-stick paper/parchment paper using a pot or a pan or anything with a flat bottom.
Step 3 – Season the patty with salt and pepper (about 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper per patty).
Step 4 – To a cast iron pan over medium-high heat, add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the burger patty and cook for about 3 minutes on each side.
Step 5 – Top with stewed onions and, optionally, a slice of cheese.
Step 6 – While the cheese is melting, toast the bun in the same pan as the burgers.
Step 7 – Add 2 tbsp of unsalted butter to the underside of the top bun.
Step 8 – Add the buttered top bun to the burger and enjoy.
What to Serve with the Butter Burger
I went classic with my butter burger, serving it topped with cheddar cheese slices and stewed onions, with a side of fries and a good dollop of ketchup.
However, this is your butter burger, so you really can try this with anything you like.
Just to warn you, those juices ooze from the patty like a waterfall, so be prepared for your toppings and sides to get coated in plenty of buttery juices!
Recipe Card
Butter Burger
Ingredients
For each burger:
- 1 regular burger bun
- 4 oz (115 grams) ground beef (ideally sirloin)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 slice Cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1 tbsp oil (for pan-frying)
For the stewed onions (per burger):
- 1/2 medium sweet onion
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Chop the onion and add the onion to a small pot with 1 tbsp of butter per half an onion, 1 tbsp of water, and 1/4 tsp salt. Set on medium heat and cook, stirring for 2 minutes until the butter has melted. Cover the pot, turn the heat down to medium-low, and let it stew for about 10-12 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Take 4 oz of ground beef and form a ball. Then, form the burger patty. You can do so by pressing with your hands. Or you can do so by pressing the ground beef ball between two pieces of non-stick paper/parchment paper using a pot or a pan or anything with a flat bottom.
- Season the patty with salt and pepper (about 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper per patty).
- To a cast iron pan over medium-high heat, add the oil, and once the oil is hot, add the burger patty and cook for about 3 minutes on each side.
- Top with stewed onions and, optionally, cheese.
- While the cheese is melting, toast the bun in the same pan as the burgers.
- Add 2 tbsp of unsalted butter to the underside of the top bun, and add the buttered top bun to the burger.
You Might Also Like to Read
- Mouthwatering Minnesota Juicy Lucy Burger Recipe
- 20 Indulgent American Foods You Simply Have to Try in the United States
Save and Pin for Later
Want to give in to your indulgent side? Keep my butter burger recipe for safekeeping, ready for big parties, Thanksgiving, and other celebrations, by saving it to one of your recipe boards.
