French Bistro Burgers - Handle the Heat
Filed Under: Main Dish | Savory

French Bistro Burgers

By Tessa Arias
  |  
June 20th, 2014
5 from 2 votes
5 from 2 votes

French Bistro Burgers are topped with ultra creamy melted brie cheese, garlic mayonnaise, caramelized onions, and arugula to bring the gourmet bistro home!

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Tessa's Recipe Rundown...

Taste: Ultra savory, with added sweetness from the caramelized onions, and more sharp bites from the garlic mayo and arugula. Texture: The burgers are wonderfully tender and juicy. That plus the ultra creamy melted brie cheese, the soft caramelized onions, and the toasted bun is enough to make your head explode. Ease: If you have everything done ahead of time, this is super easy. I like to make caramelized onions in the slow cooker, store them in small containers in the freezer, then pop them out to defrost when I need them. I also freeze homemade burger buns. Appearance: Messy in the most mouthwatering way. Pros: Gourmet French-inspired twist on burgers that I think you'll love! Cons: None! Would I make this again? Absolutely.

Today I’m coming at you with a crazy good burger recipe. It was inspired by Hopdoddy Burger Bar here in Scottsdale (they have several Texas locations too) and is basically a French bistro-inspired twist on the classic cheeseburger with brie cheese, caramelized onions, garlic mayo, arugula, and a hint of truffle. I am in love with this French Bistro Burger flavor combination and basically want to eat it daily. Burgers are such a staple in our house throughout summer and hopefully this recipe will enter your regular weekly rotation. What’s your favorite burger flavor combo?

French Bistro Burgers

5 from 2 votes

How to make
French Bistro Burgers

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
French Bistro Burgers are topped with ultra creamy melted brie cheese, garlic mayonnaise, caramelized onions, and arugula to bring the gourmet bistro home!

Ingredients

For the burgers:

  • 1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80% lean)
  • Truffle salt or kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 slices brie cheese

For the garlic mayonnaise:

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For finishing:

  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1/2 cup caramelized onions
  • 4 burger buns, toasted if desired

Directions

For the burgers:

  1. Divide the meat into four equal potions. Form each portion loosely into a disk shape, making a deep impression in the center with your thumb. Season both sides of each burger to taste with salt and pepper.
  2. Prepare and preheat a grill, grill pan, or cast iron griddle. Cook the burgers until slightly charred and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. If using very fresh and high quality ground beef, feel free to cook to medium or medium-rare, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the burgers from the heat and add the brie cheese. Tent with aluminum foil and allow the burgers to rest for 5 minutes, or until the juices are redistributed and the cheese is melted.

For the garlic mayonnaise:

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

To finish:

  1. Top each burger with arugula and caramelized onions. Spread garlic mayo on each burger bun and sandwich the burgers. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

I like to make caramelized onions in the slow cooker: place 4 to 5 large onions, sliced, in a slow cooker with 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook on LOW for 10 hours. Refrigerate or freeze the onions.
Course : Main Course
Cuisine : French
Tessa Arias
Author: Tessa Arias

I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)

Tessa Arias

About Tessa...

I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)

Find Tessa on  

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Recipe Rating




  1. #
    Erika — February 14, 2023 at 10:38 am

    Fantastic burger! My culinary arts students (high school) made 4 very different burgers today , and this one was the best. Hands down. I was amazed that high school students like it, I expected negative comments due to the onions and Brie! But they absolutely loved it.

    • #
      Kiersten @ Handle the Heat — February 15, 2023 at 9:28 am

      High praise from teenagers indeed, Erika! Haha! Thanks so much for the comment 🙂

  2. #
    Anabel Granados — December 14, 2020 at 6:50 am

    This was Aaahhhmazing! I’d never had Brie before and it went so well with it since it was a nice buttery flavor. I did have a hard time with the onions so they did end up a bit charred but they still tasted great.

    • #
      Tessa — December 14, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      So glad you tried these burgers out!

  3. #
    Jen — October 23, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    Really good burger, used ground turkey. But, I wouldn’t recommend making caramelized onions in the crock pot…have done it, and your house will stink for DAYS! Better off making a big batch on the stove top.

  4. #
    Crystal | Apples & Sparkle — July 15, 2014 at 12:29 am

    Wow! What an absolutely decadent burger! Yum!

  5. #
    Amanda – A Cookie Named Desire — June 22, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    I need this to be in my belly like, yesterday!

  6. #
    Annie @ Annie’s Noms — June 21, 2014 at 6:32 am

    How I love burgers – this looks like an absolute winner!

  7. #
    Lindsay Ann @ Lindsay Ann Bakes — June 20, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    Those caramelized onions look so good on top!

  8. #
    Gaby — June 20, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    This is my kind of burger, it looks wonderful!

  9. #
    Rachel Cooks — June 20, 2014 at 11:46 am

    Love the brie and onions! Wow!

  10. #
    Alexis @ Upside Down Pear — June 20, 2014 at 8:38 am

    This looks like heaven! I love the idea of using brie on a burger. Caramelized onions just make everything extra special!

  11. #
    Diane @ Vintage Zest — June 20, 2014 at 8:22 am

    Looks amazing! By the way, I love caramelized onions but have never made them myself. Do you have any tips so you don’t just burn them? Thanks!

  12. #
    Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron — June 20, 2014 at 5:38 am

    I am obsessed with onions – I love that they are oozing out of this burger! Wish I had one right now! (Yes at 9 in the morning 🙂 ) pinned!

  13. #
    Chloe @ foodlikecake — June 20, 2014 at 3:50 am

    These burgers sound delicious. I love the caramelized onion.

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