The 7 Best Onions for Burgers

Everyone wants to make the ultimate burger, but what if we told you it’s as simple as choosing the right onion? So is!

By simply choosing the right type of onion, you can enhance the flavor of your accompanying ingredients, add additional delicious flavor, and create a well-balanced overall flavor profile.

So what are the best onions for burgers? The best onions for burgers are brown (also called yellow) or white onions. They are highly recommended because they add neutral flavors without overpowering other ingredients.

However, you can also choose red onions, sweet onions, scallions, and green onions to add more unique flavors and make them the star of the show.

If you want to know exactly how to choose the best onions for burgers and how to combine them with other ingredients, then this article is for you!

How to use onions in burgers

Before we look at the different burger onions, let’s look at the different ways to use them.

Different cooking methods will affect the texture of the onions as well as their flavor.  This, in turn, will affect what you pair with the onions.

The most basic and effortless way to use onions in burgers is to use them raw. Raw onions provide their authentic flavor and a refreshing crunch.

Depending on the type of onion you use, it will taste different.

Most raw onions have slightly spicy flavors with hints of sweetness. And no, we are not referring to the spiciness of the chiles. The heat we are referring to is more similar to that of fresh chives or raw garlic.

Then of course you can also cook the onions. There are many ways to do this, but the most popular methods are to sauté, fry, or caramelize.

To sauté the onions, all you do is cook them slightly or until they are transparent. This adds wonderful flavors that are on the sweeter side of the spectrum.

They also have a softer texture, so they’re great if you already have a lot of crunchy toppings on your burger.

Fried onions can also be done in different ways. You can fry them as is or dip them in a batter. Raw fried onions help add a crisp texture while maintaining the sweetness of the onion.

Breaded onion, on the other hand, adds a totally different flavor and texture. They are crunchy, voluminous and you can also add a wide variety of spices to the mix.

Finally, we have the caramelized onions, one of our favorites. These onions cook for a long time so the sugars caramelize and create a deliciously sweet and salty topping.

They go great with extremely spicy and salty burgers to complement and balance the other flavors.

The 7 Best Onions for Burgers

So keep in mind that all of these onions are great additions to almost any burger , but to further elevate your cooking skills, you can focus on the individual flavor of each one.

All of these onions have unique characteristics that work best cooked in one way, or combined in another.

That being said, you can always experiment as much as you like to find new and interesting flavor combinations. That’s what cooking is all about!

1. Yellow and brown onions

They are the most common type of onion and are also the ones that are almost always used in burgers. Depending on where you’re from, you’ll sometimes find them labeled as yellow, brown, or all-purpose onions.

As the name suggests, this is the perfect all-purpose onion and can substitute for any other type. It’s definitely the onion we recommend starting with if you’re experimenting with burger flavors and topping combinations.

When used raw, it has that unique spiciness that most onions have, although it is considered to be mild compared to other species. Once cooked, this flavor becomes much more subdued and the sweeter notes are enhanced.

Keep in mind that the longer you cook them, the sweeter they will be. When caramelizing these onions it is important to ensure that the flavor balances well with the rest of the burger ingredients.

Onions are great to use on cooked burgers. They can be sautéed, fried in batter or plain, or caramelized. Their spiciness can be overwhelming, so we don’t recommend using them raw.

Since they are the most versatile and flavorless onions, they pair well with a wide variety of ingredients.

As for the spices, you can incorporate the most powerful ones, such as chili, paprika, pepper and saffron. The same happens with herbs, use those with very strong flavors such as sage, basil and rosemary.

Among the fresh ingredients that go well with these onions are typical burger ingredients (cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce), but most surprisingly, they also go well with aubergines, zucchini, peppers, and cabbage.

The best types of cheese to use with the brown onions are a mild cheddar or a sharp Parmesan.

And finally, for some delicious sauce ideas, try something creamy like a white wine sauce or a mushroom or black pepper sauce.

2. White onions

White onions have an extremely spicy flavor and a very crunchy texture. Think of them like brown onions, but with much more prominent flavors.

They are relatively new onions to Western cuisine, but have been used frequently in Mexican and African cuisine for a long time.

Since they have a more intense flavor, do not use them raw in hamburgers. They will completely distract from the other flavors and leave a sharp taste in your mouth.

White onions need to be cooked and we mean frying them as is. Their high water content gives them a very crunchy texture when fried on the surface or deep. And, as they cook, their heat is greatly reduced.

You can also incorporate them into condiments like guacamole or Mexican salsa.

White onions go well with pretty much the same ingredients as brown onions. You just need to adjust the intensity of the spices used to avoid a spice clash.

3. Sweet onions

As the name suggests, sweet onions are arguably the sweetest of all the varieties. Their extra sugar content makes them excellent for caramelizing and using with spicy or savory burgers.

The most common varieties are Vidalia, Walla Walla or Maui. You can also simply search for any variety with “sweet” in the name.

Using them stir-fried, in our opinion, would only be a waste because their unique sweet flavors are not enhanced. Frying them definitely brings out the natural flavors and adds the crunch that they need.

These onions also go great with almost any ingredient, although we would steer clear of spicy or strong-flavored ingredients.

These onions have a unique sweetness and you want to use them for that, so hiding them behind other ingredients doesn’t make sense.

You can also make onion jam with these onions and incorporate them into the burger like this.

4. Red onions

Red onions, also sometimes called purple onions, are immediately recognizable by their bright purple skin and crisp white flesh.

They are a nice complement to burgers and give them a touch of color.

These onions have a very mild spicy flavor, have no perceptible sweetness, and do not have a pungent onion-like odor. It is best to use them raw, because once cooked they almost lose their onion flavor.

Raw red onions do not have appreciable texture: they are slightly crunchy, but sometimes they are also softer.

You can try pickling them to add unique flavors. These are definitely onions that can handle flavor alternations. An excellent pickle would be white vinegar based with some fresh herbs added.

This is an onion that pairs well with virtually any spice, herb, vegetable, sauce, or condiment. It is a fantastic and neutral all-rounder.

5. Green onions

Not at all the “usual” types of onion used, especially with burgers. However, they are a must!

They are also called chives and are very popular ingredients in Asian cuisines. They are very similar to chives, but have smaller bulbs and more subtle flavors.

Its flavor and texture are very difficult to explain. They are definitely itchy, but have an oddly smooth texture.

The thicker parts of the onion have a bit of a crunch to them, but the leafier, finer part has basically the texture of a soft blade of grass.

Green onions can be used raw or sautéed. You can’t actually fry or caramelize them, as they go completely soft.

They make a fantastic topping or garnish on any burger and pair well with just about any flavor, just like red onions.

Pair them with crunchier ingredients to make up for their lack of crunch.

6. Shallots

If you’ve never worked with shallots, you’re in for a treat. These are smaller onions and with a more elongated shape: it’s hard not to see them!

They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that works well with almost any ingredient. You can use them raw, fried or caramelized.

They have very similar characteristics to red onions, but many people describe them as having a more “fancy” flavor profile.

So if you’re going to make a million dollar burger, give them a try!

7. Leeks

Believe it or not, leeks are actually a type of onion! But you wouldn’t necessarily use them the same way on burgers.

Leeks should not be used raw, and would be very difficult to fry, impossible to caramelize.

The best way to use them in burgers is in the oven or in the pan. You can cut the leek in half and fry it in a little butter or olive oil to soften it up and give it a crispy side.

When baking, add some Parmesan cheese and spices for added flavor.

Leeks can be served with any side dish and seasoning. They are a fantastic all-rounder that will make your burger unique.

Ultimate Onion Pairing Chart

Use this handy board the next time you fire up the grill for a gourmet meal.