These Shallot White Cheddar Burgers use shallots to flavor the burger, and are topped with white cheddar and a garlic aioli for a flavor bomb gourmet burger!
You guys, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Grilling season. Actually, to be honest, it is always grilling season in my family. Grilling is a way of life. The ability to grill is usually a major factor in choosing a place to live, and we have strong feelings about it. I bought my first Weber in college – a little Smokey Joe since that was all I could afford. It served me well throughout my twenties until Mr. Briar and I moved to Arizona where we bought a full-sized Weber. While living there we learned how to grill almost everything since you don’t want to turn your oven on when it is hot AKA 8 months out of the year.
I plan on starting a grilling basics series this summer, but I wanted first to share my current favorite burger. I’ve mentioned before that I love shallots. They really do have a much more complex flavor than onions. And I love the flavor they give this burger. Without using a ton of ingredients, you can really improve the flavor of your burger. I like to add white cheddar on top, and then whisk together a quick garlic aioli. I also find that some peppery arugula is a nice addition.
When Fred Meyer asked me to come up with a burger for National Hamburger Day, I knew this would be the one! It is pretty simple to put together, doesn’t have a million ingredients, but I really think it qualifies as a gourmet burger. I like to grab some kaiser rolls from the bakery department to use as buns, and of course I like to toast them on the grill a just before serving. I just read that 9% of Americans don’t like to grill their burger buns, which, what!?! I mean ok, to each their own I guess. But that 9% are missing out. How do you feel about bun toasting?
These burgers would be just as comfortable at a casual weeknight dinner for the family as they would a big holiday BBQ. You can even make the patties and aioli ahead of time, and then they come together in a snap. Serve with some chips or salad and some cold drinks and your guests will be happy little campers.
Other things to grill…
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Shallot White Cheddar Burger with Arugula and Garlic Aioli
Ingredients
For The Burgers:
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 holds up best on the grill
- 1/4 cup finely diced shallot
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 4 slices of white cheddar cheese I like Tillamook
- 4 kaiser rolls optional
For The Garlic Aioli:
- 1/4 cup high quality real mayonnaise
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
To Make The Aioli:
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, garlic and lemon juice. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste.
To Make The Burgers:
- Mix together ground beef, shallots, salt and pepper, then form into four patties. Grill on the hot side of the grill, about 5 minutes. Be patient and don't move the patty around of press on it. Flip the burgers and top each one with a cheese slice. Continue to grill for about 3 more minutes, or until done. If desired, slice the kaiser rolls and toast them cut side down in the grill, for 30 seconds to one minute or until golden.
To Finish The Burgers:
- Place burger patty on the bottom half of the bun, top with a handful of arugula, spread aioli on the cut half of the top bun and put on top of the burger.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I partnered Fred Meyer for this recipe, however, my opinions, as always, are 100% my own. Integrity is important to me, and I only share brands and products that I think are awesome. Thank you for supporting Fox and Briar!
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Jennifer A Stewart says
Oooh I can’t wait for the grilling series! I will be in AZ for a few weeks and could use some grill tips. Hubs always does it. This burger looks amaze-balls! Love the shallots and that melty cheese:)
Meghan says
Thank you so Much Jennifer! When we lived in Arizona we grilled EVERYTHING all the time! I need to get that grilling series going!
jane @ littlesugarsnaps says
Yay. I regularly switch out onions and replace them with shallots, so I know you’re onto a good thing with these burgers. They are somehow less harsh, yet still add that flavour boost that onions give. I’m all for toasting buns – only started to do it maybe 3 years ago, but I do enjoy my burgers more because of it – adds that extra bit of texture. I really like your photos here Meghan – they scream summer.
Meghan says
Yes, shallots are soooo good, right? Thank you Jane!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
National Burger Day is my kind of holiday!
These look soooo delicious, I would definitely be going back for seconds (okay, thirds!).
Pinning and sharing, so good!
Meghan says
Haha! It is the best holiday! Thanks Michelle!
Michelle says
Aiolis – especially of the garlic variety – will get me to try anything. Have you tried making a roasted garlic one yet? Yum…
Meghan says
I have never made a roasted garlic aioli, Michelle, but it sounds like something I need to do ASAP. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Adina says
I know almost nothing about grilling, so your upcoming series sounds great. The only one who does the grilling here is my brother-in-law, but all he does is grill some German grill-sausages and steaks on an improvised grill (some old bricks, wood in the middle and a heavy iron grill thing over it). This hamburger looks soooo good, I especially love that cheese!
Meghan says
Ahh, you will soon be the grill master, Adina! Although that inprovised grill sounds interesting!
Julie at Hostess At Heart says
This is one winner burger! I think I’d eat my arm if you drizzled that garlic aioli over it!
Meghan says
Haha! Thanks Julie!
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Meghan, I’m serious, you make classy and classic come together so beautifully. 🙂 It’s what I love best about your recipes–you make fancy ingredients super approachable! I had no idea that you were a big grill fan. It makes perfect sense though. Who would seriously want to turn on the oven when it’s that hot? I did that a lot when I was living in San Diego and it was not pretty. 😉 I loved hearing about you and the mini Weber! I’m imagining you making mini burgers as well. Lol. Grilling buns: YES!! I personally do not get the whole cold buns business. Also, love the new backdrop! Have a great weekend, my dear. xo Pinning!
Meghan says
Aww, thanks so much Demeter! Haha, it would be cute if I made mini burgers on my mini grill! Thanks for the pin dear!
Ashley says
We love grilling season!! And definitely a good burger! You are making me so hungry for dinner right now!! haha
Meghan says
Thanks Ashley! Burgers are the best!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
The weather in Seattle has been so bipolar lately, but as soon as it warms up again, I’m going to make these burgers. Shallots and white cheddar sounds like a match made in heaven.
Meghan says
It really has! I’m glad it isn’t hot anymore but I wish the sun woud come back! Thanks Nicole!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I’m kinda on the fence about bun toasting. Sometimes I like it and other times I just prefer the soft untoasted bun. I dunno…guess I just fly by the seat of my pants, lol. Though it’s only warm (and I say that rather loosely) a couple months of the year around here, we leave our bbq out year round and even bbq in the Winter. I love burgers. Love them. So much. Could eat every day. Yours looks scrumptious and, of course, that aioli is lovely. Throw in a pint of beer and I’m set 🙂
Meghan says
Haha! You live dangerously with the bun toasting 🙂 I grew up in Alaska and we probably had similar weather. So lots of grilling in the snow happened. Thanks Dawn!
Megan @ Meg is Well says
Grilling is an all year thing in my family too. Sadly I don’t know how to cook over the grill though. My dad grills so well that I just have never gotten the urge to learn myself. I’m always looking for ways to change up burgers though, and I love shallots, so this is going right into my dad’s hands so I can mooch off him!
Meghan says
Meg, get your Dad to teach you! Grilling is a necessary life skill! 🙂 T
E.A. says
Looking good!! First, this recipe is totally a “gourmet” hamburger recipe!! Love the subtle shifts you made to enhance it!❤️
Secondly, in support of small grills, (?)
I used the little Joe Weber when I was a single mom…it was the perfect size & affordable!
Also, it was surprisingly very effective for our needs.
I’ve since graduated into a larger grill, as times have changed.
I’m SO looking forward to trying that aioli sauce ?~it sounds delicious!
(I’ve never like ketchup)…so, YUMMMM!!
Thanks for sharing another amazing recipe, & your photos never disappoint!?
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Meghan says
🙂 Thanks, hope you like it!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
I’ve heard so many fabulous things about Webers but have never had one myself. In any case I love the look of these burgers, Meghan. So true that shallots have a great flavour – more subtle and a little more sweet, in a way, than onions. And I love the fact that they don’t make my eyes water!!
Meghan says
I like that about them too! I really recommend a Weber if you are looking into buying a grill, it is the best! Thanks Lisa!
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says
Yum yum yum!! Love shallots… love burgers… sounds good to me! 🙂
Meghan says
Thank you Natasha! I love shallots too!