Wagyu Beef Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Special Sauce

A finished Wagyu beef burger with caramelized onions and burger sauce on a wooden board.

Wagyu Beef Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Special Sauce

This wagyu burger recipe tops juicy, well-marbled wagyu beef patties with balsamic caramelized onions, butter lettuce, vine tomatoes and a tangy homemade special sauce on toasted brioche buns. These wagyu beef burgers bring steakhouse flavor home from the skillet or grill.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword wagyu beef burger, wagyu burger, wagyu burger recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 25

Total Time 55

Servings servings

Calories 1224kcal

Equipment

Large skillet or griddle
Large sauté pan
Mixing Bowl
Spatula

Ingredients

3 lbs Wagyu beef patties Costco
6 Brioche buns Whole Foods
6 leaves Butter lettuce
2 large Vine tomatoes sliced
4 large Yellow onions thinly sliced
2 tbsp Olive oil
2 tbsp Butter
1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup Ketchup
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
2 tbsp Yellow mustard
1 tbsp Hot sauce such as sriracha, or your favorite
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Caramelize the Onions:

In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and turn golden brown (about 20-25 minutes).
Stir in balsamic vinegar during the last 5 minutes of cooking, allowing it to reduce and glaze the onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from pan and set aside.

Prepare Special Sauce:

In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and hot sauce. Mix well until smooth and creamy. Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your spice preference. Set aside.

Cook the Wagyu Beef Patties:

Preheat your grill or a large skillet/griddle over medium-high heat.
Lightly season the Wagyu patties with salt and pepper.
Cook patties for about 3-5 minutes per side for medium doneness, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Remember, Wagyu beef is rich, so it’s best not to overcook them.

Toast the Brioche Buns (Optional):

While the patties are cooking, lightly butter the cut sides of the brioche buns.
Toast them on the grill or in a dry pan until golden brown.

Assemble the Burgers:

Spread a generous amount of special sauce on both the top and bottom halves of each bun.
Place a butter lettuce leaf on the bottom bun.
Add the cooked Wagyu beef patty on top of the lettuce.
Pile a generous amount of caramelized onions on top of the patty.
Add 2-3 slices of vine-ripened tomatoes.
Cover with the top half of the brioche bun.

Serve:

Serve the burgers immediately with your favorite sides.

Notes

Doneness: Wagyu is rich and tender, so cook it to medium or less for the juiciest burger.

Onions: Cook the onions low and slow and add the balsamic near the end so it glazes without burning.

Make ahead: The caramelized onions keep for 5 days and the special sauce for up to a week in the fridge.

Swap: Use 80/20 ground chuck if you can’t find wagyu.

Nutrition