Tomorrow is National Cheeseburger Day so when Barbecues Galore asked me to create something using a BBQ, I knew just what I was going to do. Since moving to Australia, every barbecue grill we’ve bought has come from Barbecues Galore. (They DO last a long time so I’ll admit that we’ve shopped for one only 3 times.)
Ours is much older (and way more dirty) than this brand new Turbo Classic but it’s their closest current model. Thank goodness everything on ours is stainless steel because it’s lasted for ages. I use the BBQ every few days and I’m in the club that heats it up really well after cooking and brushes the burnt crumbs off. (btw – they didn’t ask me to feature this grill, this IS the model that’s outside in the rain.)
For National Cheeseburger Day, I wanted to celebrate not only the cheeseburger but my favourite vegetable, the onion. I know, many of you like broccoli or corn or carrots but I couldn’t live without onions. I made a double onion cheeseburger. Sometimes I add bacon but because the beef patty was sizeable, I felt I had enough protein calories.
Did you see the double onions? On the top are caramelised onions and on the bottom under the burger are onion rings. Yes, I know – crunchy wonderful homemade onion rings hold up that beef patty.
Now you can see the grill. My apologies to Barbecues Galore for not having a brand-new looking grill. Folks, this is a hardworking bbq.
Note the indentation in the beef patty? That’s the secret to a good burger. Make an indentation on the bottom side of the patty (it will be on the top when you start cooking) and it will cook perfectly.
I like my burgers cooked to medium with a decent amount of fat. I haven’t started grinding my meat yet but I did buy a grinder so I’ll keep you informed.
While the burgers were cooking, I was air frying some French fries. I had made the caramelised onions and onion rings earlier. The onion ring recipe calls for dipping the rings in panko crumbs before frying so they stay crunchy for a long time.
I also toasted the damper buns. For those not accustomed to Australian food, damper is an iconic traditional soda bread that was cooked by swagmen, stockmen and drovers.
Once the burgers were flipped, I added the cheese and when the burgers were done, I put the bottom bun on the plate, layered the onion rings on top and then placed the beef patty. On top of the cheese I added the caramelised onions, tomato, lettuce, pickles, mustard and ketchup and the top bun. It was a two-handed burger that I shared with my best four-legged friend, Charlie. (only the beef, no onions for Chucko)
Celebrate National Burger Day with a great burger cooked on a barbecue. Serve it with a side of fries, a bowl of salad or an ear of fresh, sweet corn, it doesn’t matter but it all starts with a good burger.
Hi Maureen, my husband would go crazy if I told him it was national cheeseburger day…….also we heard about making a indent in the burger, looks amazing!!!
This looks delicious Maureen! So glad that you have alerted me to National Cheeseburger Day, now I have an excuse to eat cheeseburgers tomorrow!
I remember fondly my days of enjoying onions – with my beloved’s digestion problems, I said goodbye to them many years ago – and now in a strange case of solidarity, when I eat onions I pay a price…. they talk to me for a long time, and are not always saying nice things 😉
beautiful burger!
Happy CHeeseburger Day, Maureen!
You are making me hungry! This cheeseburger looks delicious! =)
And..I Love Onion rings!
I love onion rings though I don’t get them nearly enough. Luckily there’s a good commercial brand that you just bake off from frozen so I don’t have to do that messy deep frying. I didn’t know Sept 18th was National Cheeseburger Day … will have to pull out a bbq burger and home made buns out of the freezer and celebrate. 🙂
Maureen, I would love to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with you and eat the delicious cheeseburger you made with the double onions .
ooH LOVE those double onion layers!!! Maureen – I haven’t ever had a beef burger, but if I could have it on a bed og onion rings with more caramelized onions on top – I am game!
Nothing beats grilling a nice burger (or cheeseburger in this case!). Especially when we get the meat from farmer friends upstate? Unbeatable! Love this Maureen 🙂
OMG. Just kill me now. That close up shot with the melted cheese…..ugh. I have to make this. BRING ON THE DOUBLE ONION!
I confess. I used a hair dryer on the cheese. 🙂
Great tip about the dint in the pattie Maureen, thankyou.
And it looks delicious….mmmmm xx
Maureen…I’m your two-legged friend called ‘Charlie’ and I can handle onions! I think you mean four-legged friend unless he’s met with a terrible accident! For three years we haven’t had a BBQ. Then last weekend enough was enough and Drew went down to Barbecues Galore and came home with a BBQ. Nothing as impressive as the one you’ve featured, but still a BBQ. We’ve used it four times this week. Maureen, this has to be the best burger I’ve ever seen. I’m pinning it. I do love the sound of the panko crusted crunchy onions! xx
ROFL how did I make that horrible mistake?? and John proofread it too! too much time off and thanks. I’ll go fix it. 🙂
Oh be still my heart!!!! That layer of onion rings is inspired. I HAVE to try that. Like now.
Maureen, you’re not alone… I come from the “clean the grill after you’re done using it” camp, too. 🙂 Your burger rendered me speechless (insert moment of silence here) — onions two ways sound like the perfect base & topping for this BBQ’d burger! I also liked the history behind the damper buns. (LOVE learning things like that!) Thank you.
Double deliciousness! When I come visit you next, would you make me one of these please xxx PS welcome back! xx
This burger looks ABSOLUTELY scrumptious. I absolutely have to try this because I’m a big burger fan. I’m a meat eater and this looks awesome. With burgers like this, it will definitely be a Happy Cheeseburger Day!
Happy National Cheeseburger Day! I love a good cheeseburger and if its grilled its just that much better.
Have a great weekend.
Velva
This looks so good! I can almost taste it!
What a great dish.
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Onion rings IN the burger? I’d be picking them out and eating them straight away is that bad? That’s one handsome looking burger 🙂
No, they are under the burger. They’d get soggy IN the burger. 🙂 We did have some rings on the side when we finally ate these.
I could climb right into my screen right now and devour this! Thanks for the tip about the dent, I will try that. And enjoy your grinder 🙂
I love burgers and your onion indulgence is fab. I didn’t know about the dent in the burger, I’m going to try that. GG
That’s one heck of a BBQ Maureen! Lovely burger too. I adore caramelized onions, great idea to add them as a condiment. Lorraine brought me beet root relish and we’ve been enjoying that on our burgers, so delicious. In Canada, the CFIA (equivalent to the FDA) insists the burger is cooked through to 71°C (160°F) unless you grind the meat yourself and cook it right away. I do love a good burger and yours is making me want one for dinner tonight!
Nice BBQ, I love mine too. ( Barbeques Galore of course). I could go for that cheese burger with onions in a big way even if the cheese was blow dried….hehehehe
I could eat onions at every meal – love them cooked anyway 🙂 This is a beautiful grill and the char marks on the burger are perfect. We use the indent method too – it makes all the difference. A terrific looking burger Maureen – have a great weekend!
Au Maureen loving the double onion in this cheese burger (cause it HAS to have cheese). Great idea and you are right we use onions in everything but as a support more, never as a showcase veggie. Great choice.
I love double onions on my burgers! This is a seriously drool worthy burger.
Maureen, it’s so good to see you around again! I actually did a little jig for joy when I saw your post 🙂 I guess I won’t be celebrating in the traditional sense, since I’m vegetarian, I can definitely use an order of double onion and some sort of patty today. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post!
We should have had cheeseburgers tonight! Yours look irresistible—love the idea of adding caramelized onions except I’d probably eat most of them before they made it to the burger!!!
I do love a good burger and I love my BB
Oh, not sure what happened there – yes, love my BBQ and having been missing it while we are between homes but hopefully will have one again very soon. Lovely to see you up and about Maureen.
I had no idea it was National Cheeseburger Day! So funny I also made burgers for dinner today! Love the tip you mentioned! Pinning!
There’s NOTHING like a good burger and this one looks super good. I had a big dinner but you have me wanting a burger!
I respect a hard working grill, no apologies necessary for its appearance. Clean grills are like clean ovens — rarely used. Your burger looks fantastic! And yes, the crunch of onion rings puts it over the top. I’m ready to pull up a chair!
Now this is a burger! Love the double onions!
Your American heritage is shining loud and proud on this page, Maureen =) Generally, I go for veggie burgers but your double onion cheeseburger looks very tempting…and like it just stepped off the pages of Gourmet magazine! P.s. Good to know there are grills which can withstand the rain! (Now, that’s an endorsement!)
Maureen…I love LOVE caramelized onions on burgers!!! ADORE! And this is one hell of a burger! As is that grill you have pictured! Glad to see you are up and blogging again 🙂
This burger had my stomach rumbling – I love the idea of damper buns too! I haven’t tried making my own traditional cheeseburger but this post has got me thinking!
I think ‘BBQ’ is really just code for ‘Australian’
We have done nearly a year without one and I miss it so much!
Can’t wait for the house to be finished so I can get back to my outdoor kitchen.
These burgers look amazing! Yum! And I am giggle to myself at the idea of you holding your hairdryer up to the cheese. hehe.
Love it
These look terrific Maureen! Aren’t onions such a versatile vegetable, I can’t imagine a kitchen without them 🙂
This cheeseburger looks amazing!!!
You had me at double onion … the more the better!
I’m a big onion fan too! They make me cry so badly but they’re so delicious. It must be their defence against people like me! 😉
Yum that is a pretty special looking cheeseburger. I never even knew we had a national cheeseburger day 🙂
I don’t get involved in national days but this seemed to fit with the post. 🙂
I have to admit that I haven’t eaten beef in years. But pictures of burgers still make my mouth water. Especially the ones with double onions and cheese!
One more vote for onion. Can’t omit when it comes to burgers. Your hamburger looks so juicy and delicious.
I so wish I lived in a climate where I could barbecue on a regular basis 🙁 I am so jealous! Happy cheeseburger day 😀
Oh my, what a great feed. Thanks for the tip about the indentation, too. Must try it out.
Golly, how did I miss National Cheeseburger Day? I grew up on cheeseburgers and they are my favourite food! I’ve got a gas Weber Barbeque but I miss the flavour of cooking over coals. (Hmm, maybe I should now visit my local Barbeques Galore outlet)!
This has got to be one of the most decadent cheeseburgers ever! Being as onion is also my favorite vegetable, I am all over this. The onion rings on the bottom is the coup de grace!
Perfection. That is all I can say.
Hey.,We make these burgers a lot during the summer. A lot. What makes them even better is melted swiss and carmelized onions and mushrooms. When we make them, the whole neighborhood comes to check them out. They just HAVE to know what smells so good!
Oh I think I would like burgers at your house!
We are a burger loving family! Always looking for different takes on my usual offerings. LOVE the double onion idea – and the air fryer, keep looking at those and think I should take the plunge as we also love our fries…xxx
This looks delicious, I would definitely give this a try, can I heat this is in slow cooker