Grilled Cheeseburgers with Sweet Onion Jam with Texas Beef BBQ Rub
When it comes to iconic cookout food, few things can compete with a cheeseburger. Yet what sets a burger apart is often the little details. In this case, it’s a slow-cooked sweet onion jam that transforms the ordinary into something unforgettable. Using onions like Maui, Walla Walla, or Vidalia, the jam develops a glossy, rich depth with natural sweetness after an hour of patient cooking. Pair that with patties seasoned generously with Texas Beef BBQ Rub, melted sharp cheddar, and a buttery brioche bun, and you’ve got a burger that balances sweet, smoky, and savory in perfect harmony. Every bite is layered with flavor — the sweetness of the onion jam, the smokiness of the grill, the tang of the cheddar, and the soft richness of the bun. This burger is as much about the experience as it is the taste, making it a worthy centerpiece for your backyard table.
Sweet Onion Jam Cheeseburgers on the Grill
4 burgers
10 minutes
1.25 hours
690
American
Main Dish
A cheeseburger cooked over fire is already satisfying, but this version elevates it with layers of flavor that linger long after the last bite. The sweet onion jam is the star, simmered low and slow until the natural sugars from Maui, Walla Walla, or Vidalia onions concentrate into a jammy spread that’s equal parts sweet and tangy. That jam sits atop a juicy burger, perfectly seasoned with Texas Beef BBQ Rub. The rub creates a crust that complements the cheddar’s sharp bite and holds its own against the richness of the brioche bun. This burger shows that simple ingredients, handled with care and patience, can deliver a gourmet result that still feels like comfort food at its core.
Ingredients
For the Sweet Onion Jam
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 large sweet onions (Maui, Walla Walla, or Vidalia), diced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Burgers
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub
- 4 brioche buns, split and lightly buttered
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, pickles
Directions
- Make the Sweet Onion Jam: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the sweet onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized, about 35 to 40 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, water, and salt. Continue cooking on low, stirring often, until reduced to a thick, jam-like consistency, about 20 to 25 minutes more. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before using.
- Prepare the Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375 to 400°F) for direct cooking. Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Form and Season Patties: Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 8 ounces each). Form into patties slightly wider than the buns, pressing a slight dimple into the center of each. Season both sides generously with Texas Beef BBQ Rub.
- Grill the Burgers: Place patties on the grill over direct heat. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F for medium doneness. In the last minute, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty, cover, and let melt. Toast buns lightly on the grill.
- Assemble the Burgers: Place patties on brioche bottoms, spoon sweet onion jam generously over the top, and add any optional toppings. Finish with the brioche tops and serve hot.
