Sharp Vermont white cheddar, a sweet and tangy maple-infused ketchup and glazed onions add unique flavor to this tender, juicy grilled burger.

Vermont Cheddar Burgers with Warm Maple Ketchup

Add some extra flavor to the classic cheeseburger with Vermont sharp cheddar and an easy homemade ketchup made with maple syrup.

Author: Lynne Webb
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef, well chilled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon panko crumbs
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
4 thick slices Vermont sharp white cheddar cheese
4 hamburger buns, lightly toasted
Maple Glazed Onions (optional – see recipe below)

For the ketchup:

1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 tablespoon grated sweet onion

Instructions

Place the ground beef in a shallow bowl. Add the salt, a few grinds of black pepper, the mayonnaise and the panko crumbs. The mayonnaise and panko combination helps to hold the juices in the burger during cooking, but doesn't change the flavor or texture of the beef. The coarse texture of the panko crumbs is important because they don't add density to the burger like dry breadcrumbs would.
Use a wooden spatula to combine the meat ingredients as best you can before doing a final, gentle mix with your hands. Gently form the patties into quarter-pound portions and make a slight depression in the center of each with your thumb. This helps the burgers maintain an even thickness rather than developing a thicker “dome” in the center. Transfer to a plate and chill for at least 15 minutes before grilling.
While the burgers chill, combine the ketchup, tomato paste, vinegar, maple syrup, grated onion and a few grinds of black pepper in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Warm over low heat or at 50% power. Stir until smooth, cover and set aside.
Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to a medium-high temperature (about 400°F). Oil the grates, add the burgers and grill until you see juices start to accumulate on the top of the meat, approximately 4 minutes. Flip them over and top with cheese after about 1 minute. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, to desired doneness. While the burgers rest, lightly toast the buns on the grill.
To serve, place a burger on each bun, top with onions and Maple Ketchup.

Maple Glazed Onions

Slice a large sweet onion into 4 or 5 thick slices. Make a grilling tray large enough to hold them in a single layer from heavy duty foil. Brush the onion slices with a little vegetable oil and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Arrange on the foil and grill until soft, about 6 to 8 minutes, turning once. Brush with maple syrup and continue cooking for about 3 more minutes. Watch closely as the maple syrup can burn rather easily. Transfer to a cutting board, chop roughly and set aside for the burgers.

Vermont Cheddar Burgers with Warm Maple Ketchup