Nothing compliments the flavor of a burger as much as a good onion. What exactly are the best onions for burgers? Which ones you will like the most is a matter of personal taste but with the information we provide, you will be able to make an informed decision based.
⚖️ Comparison Of Best Onions For Burgers
| Type of Onion | Flavor Profile | Texture | How To Use On A Burger |
| Yellow Onions | Intense, strong | Crisp, firm | Grilled, sautéed, caramelized |
| White Onions | Mild, sweet | Soft | Raw, grilled, sautéed, caramelized |
| Red Onions | Spicy, slightly sweet | Crispy | Raw, pickled, grilled, sautéed |
| Sweet or Vidalia Onions | Mild, very sweet | Soft | Raw, grilled, sautéed, caramelized, fried |
| Walla Walla Onions | Sweet, mild | Crisp, juicy | Raw, lightly grilled |
| Maui Onions | Sweet, mild | Soft, succulent | Raw, lightly sautéed |
| Shallots | Mild, sweet | Crisp | Fried, pickled, raw |
| Leeks | Mild, sweet | Crunchy, fibrous | Grilled, sautéed |
| Pearl Onions | Mild, sweet | Crisp | Pickled, caramelized |
| French’s Crispy Fried Onions | Salty, crunchy | Crunchy | Toasted as topping |
| Grilled/Sautéed Onions | Sweet, mellow | Soft to flexible | As a topping straight off the heat |
| Green Onions | Bright, mild | Crunchy | Raw or mixed into the patty |
| Spring Onions | Sharp, slightly bitter | Crunchy | Raw or mixed into the patty |
🍯 Summary Of Onion-Based Condiments
| Onion Condiment | Description | Flavor Profile | How To Use On A Burger |
| Onion Jam | Caramelized onions reduced with sugar, sometimes garlic. | Sweet, rich | Spread on buns or top the patty. |
| Onion Chutney | Like jam but with vinegar, for a pickled taste. | Tangy, sweet | Use as a spread or glaze. |
| Salsa | Fresh mix including onions, versatile ingredient choices. | Bright, zesty | Add on top for a fresh flavor burst. |
| Relish | Pickled cucumbers and onions, flavor-packed. | Sweet, tangy | Mix into or top on burger sauce. |
🧅 Types of Onions For Burgers
You have all kinds of choices when it comes time to choose. Each type has a different flavor profile and adds something a little unique to your burger. Each of these might be the best onion for your burger, depending on your desired effect.
We’ll give a quick overview of each onion and then break it down into more detail.
A few things to note. Onions soften during the cooking process. The texture listed is for the uncooked version unless the type is specifically a cooked onion. All of these will also be sweeter and milder after they are cooked.
Yellow Onions
The yellow onion is the hardest to chop without tears and has the most intense “oniony” flavor raw. Cooked, it becomes sweet and mild.
The flavor of any onion gets stronger as it ages but this seems especially true of these. They are also dryer than most other onions. These are also known as “brown onions.”
📌Adjectives to describe: intense, strong, dry, complex, firm, crisp, juicy, translucent, astringent, rich, versatile, and common.
⭐How to use these on a burger. This onion is generally considered too intense to use raw but can be grilled, sautéed, or caramelized.
White Onions
The white onion is a very plain, mild onion variety and very soft whether cooked or uncooked. It is considered one of the mildest onions and is perfect with a huge variety of flavor profiles. They become very sweet and lose all astringency when cooked.
📌Adjectives to describe: light, mild, sweet, soft, translucent, fresh, sour, palatable, and versatile.
🍔How to use white onions on a burger. Raw, grilled, sautéed, or caramelized, this onion is very versatile and would be a great choice for the Travis Scott Burger.
Red Onions
If you are looking one with a bite and a slight sweetness, these are the ones you want. You might think the bitter edge is a bad thing, but in fact, it’s exactly what is needed in some recipes.
Red onions cut the richness of aioli, and provide contrast and depth of flavor lacking in other onion choices.
📌Adjectives to describe: spicy, bitter, crispy, sharp, eye-watering, pretty, overwhelming, pungent, peppery, and sharp.
🍔How to use on a burger: These onions are the most common raw onion found on a burger, but they can also be pickled (we love using these easy refrigerator pickled red onions), grilled, sautéed, or chopped and added to the beef mixture before forming patties. Red onion is the perfect choice for grilled cheeseburger kebabs.
Sweet Onions or Vidalia Onions
When you want to grill, sauté, or caramelize your onions, this would be the onion of choice. Vidalia onions are specifically grown in Vidalia, GA where there is a surprisingly low sulfur content in the soil. This results in an onion that is less pungent than the others.
Already naturally sweet, these are amazing cooked low and slow in butter or grilled and also work well chopped up and used raw on your burger. Several other sweet onion varieties exist besides Vidalias.
Be careful: sweet onions cooked too long will turn to mush but this mush begins to resemble onion jam. It’s still delicious if you don’t mind the texture.
📌Adjectives to describe: soft, mild, sweet, versatile, large, flat, translucent, buttery, delicious, sugary, and juicy.
🍔How to use on a burger: This onion is exceptional raw or cooked and can be grilled, sautéed, caramelized, or battered and fried for onion rings on your burger. It can also be mixed into the burger meat as in this Smoked Burgers Recipe. These are considered by some to be the best for burgers.
Walla Walla Onions
As I already mentioned above, there are other sweet onion species besides Vidalias, and Walla Walla onions are one of them. They will add gentle sweetness without the typical sharpness of raw onions to your burgers.
Walla Walla onions are prized for their lack of bitterness, offering a balanced taste profile that pairs well with a variety of burger toppings.
📌Adjectives to describe: sweet, mild, crisp, juicy, tender.
🍔How to use on a burger: Their sweetness shines when raw, making them a prime choice for a fresh burger topping. They can also be lightly grilled to enhance their natural sugar, perfect for a caramelized onion topping on a gourmet burger.
Maui Onions
For a hint of tropical sweetness in your burger, Maui onions are your go-to. These onions are less pungent than others, offering a soft sweetness that complements both traditional and creative burgers. Their mild flavor is especially good for those who might usually shy away from raw onions.
📌Adjectives to describe: sweet, mild, aromatic, soft, succulent.
🍔How to use on a burger: Primarily enjoyed raw to savor their sweetness, they can also be lightly sautéed for a more nuanced flavor profile. Ideal for adding a sweet note to fish or chicken burgers.
Shallots
Shallots are very mild comparatively. These tiny veggies aren’t always considered onions, but they have a similar flavor profile and are considered a botanical version.
Shallots are most similar to a red onion but with significantly less of a bite. Cooked shallots are mild and sweet with a deeper flavor than raw. Pickled shallots are a fun and distinctive choice.
📌Adjectives to describe: small, crisp, mild, deep, bite, fresh, smooth, sweet, firm, and crunchy.
🍔How to use on a burger: These onions are used fried, pickled, or raw or try them crispy from the air fryer.
Leeks
Grilled leeks are a huge trend for burgers these days and have a nice mild onion flavor with a little more crunch.
Although leeks will soften if cooked, they stay firm longer. Leeks can be grilled or chopped and sautéed for use on a burger and they will still retain some texture.
📌Adjectives to describe: mild, sweet, slightly fibrous, crunchy, aromatic, earthy, subtle.
🍔How to use on a burger: These are grilled or sometimes chopped and mixed into the burger patty for a diffused mild onion flavor.
Pearl Onions
Pearl onions lack the strong bite of larger varieties, offering a gentler onion experience. They have a mild, sweet flavor, with a crisp texture. Use them for a unique twist to the classic burger!
📌Adjectives to describe: mild, sweet, crisp, gentle, sophisticated, tiny, versatile.
🍔How to use on a burger. Best when pickled or caramelized, pearl onions bring a burst of sweetness and a visually appealing touch. They’re excellent for sliders or as a garnish, providing a surprising texture and flavor contrast to the meat. Pearl onions offer a delightful crunch and sweetness that complements both meaty and vegetarian burgers.
French’s Crispy Fried Onions
When you want salty crunch out of your onions, French-fried onions are the only choice. These tasty morsels are a cross between an onion and a potato chip.
Create a nice contrast with french fried onions stacked on top of other burger toppings. If I was going to pick my favorite hamburger onions, these would be my go-to choice.
French’s Crispy Fried Onions complement most burger recipes beautifully. I’ve even seen crispy fried onions used with raw onions on the same burger.
Tip: French-fried onions are not gluten-free.
📌Adjectives to describe: crispy, crunchy, salty, greasy, contrasting, flavorful, gourmet, deep-fried, savory.
🍔How to use on a burger: These are toasted and added to the burger for crunch, flavor, and texture.
Green Onions
For a slightly different and mild flavor, green onions will add brightness to your burger. Serve green onions raw. The heat of your burger softens them slightly.
📌Adjectives to describe: mild, crunchy, pretty, bright, fresh, stringy, garnish.
🍔How to use on a burger: These onions are used best used raw or mixed into the patty.
Spring Onions
Spring onions, also known as scallions, have a more pungent and interesting flavor that’s a bit more intense than green onions. Use these interchangeably with green onions when you want a little more bite and flavor. These can be crunchy and a little strong, especially if you include the white parts.
📌Adjectives to describe: sharp, bitter, intense, strong, fresh, stringy, flavorful.
🍔How to use on a burger: Use Spring onions raw or mixed into the patty.
Grilled or Sautéed Onions
Grill or sauté any onion to bring out the natural sweetness and mellow out the flavor. You can cook your onions for a short amount of time for a little more crunch or leave them on low heat for a while to really emphasize that sweetness and soften them up.
The browning of the onion on the grill brings out the natural sugar. The cooking process adds flavor to your burger without the bite or intensity of raw onion. Nothing matches the sweetness of a grilled onion allowed to caramelize slowly. Just be careful not to overcook your onions lest they become stringy or mushy.
📌Adjectives to describe: soft, sweet, stringy, flexible, mushy, golden.
🍔How to use on a burger: Add a scoopful of grilled or sautéed onions to your burger straight off the heat.
Condiments Made With Onions
When you don’t want raw onions or cooked onions on your burger, but you know it could benefit from a touch of onion flavor, try onion-based condiments. The nice thing about condiments such as these is that they also add moisture and bring other flavors to the stack.
⭐Onion Jam: A delicious and little-known condiment made from caramelized onions cooked down and pureed with sugar and sometimes added ingredients such as garlic.
⭐Onion Chutney: Similar to onion jam, this jarred version has the addition of vinegar to give it more of a pickled taste.
⭐Salsa: Most fresh salsas include onion as an ingredient and are a great way to add intense flavor without the astringency of a straight raw onion.
⭐Relish: This condiment is basically a combination of pickled cucumbers and pickled onions in one jar and adds a flavor punch. We use relish in our homemade burger sauce when grilling frozen burgers for extra flavor.
Preparation
Onions are a necessary ingredient for many fabulous dishes and burger recipes are no exception. Nearly every burger build recipe includes onions of some type. That being said, slicing onions is no fun. If the onions are strong or you aren’t prepared, it can be a recipe for disaster.
Tips For Cutting An Onion Without Tears
- A cold onion is less likely to bring on the fountain. Chill your onion in the refrigerator before slicing to avoid this nasty chemical reaction.
- Slice your onion quickly. Work as fast as you can safely chop, and minimize your exposure to the onion’s surface as much as possible.
- Blow a fan past your face as you chop the onion to clear away the fumes that are released as you cut the onion skin.
- Wear a mask. You’ll need a fancy one.
- Get someone else to cut your onions. 😀
Prepping Raw Onions
👉Rings: Classic and visually appealing, rings provide a satisfying crunch. To keep them from falling out, cut them thin and stack them.
👉Diced: Ideal for even flavor distribution. Dice them uniformly for a consistent bite and a neat presentation.
👉Long Slices: The best of both worlds, they offer a full-onion flavor without overpowering. Slice them thinly lengthwise to ensure they stay put within the bun.
Cooking Onions For Burgers
Cooked onions can transform a burger from good to gourmet. Here’s how to cook them in ways that can elevate your burger:
👉Grilled Rings: For a smoky touch, grill the onion rings until they have charred edges. This adds a rustic, savory flavor to your burger. Grilled sweet onions are one of our favorite burger toppings and a versatile BBQ side. Cut the onions into thick slices for grilling – once cooked, they are easy to separate into rings.
👉Fried Rings: A fan favorite, these are battered and deep-fried to golden perfection. They are an indulgent treat worth enjoying once in a while, despite the high-calorie count.
👉Caramelized: Slowly cook the onions until golden for a sweet, rich flavor. Perfect for adding depth to a classic burger.
👉Sautéed: Quickly fry the onions to retain some bite. They will have a softer texture than raw onions, and enhanced sweetness through the caramelization process.
Last but not least, if you want to build the best burger possible, make sure to also read about the best buns for burgers.
❓ FAQ
Cut whole slices of an onion and then break the onion slices apart to create rings, or dice an onion in the traditional way for small pieces of onion in every bite.
Slice your onions and place whole slices on the hot grill for three to five minutes. Flip once halfway through. Remove your onions from the grill carefully. This results in a sweet, soft ring of onion that still has a little bit of chewiness or crunch but is starting to caramelize on the edges.
The best way to caramelize onions is low and slow in a skillet on the cooktop. You can also grill your onions. The lower your heat and the longer you let those onions cook down, the sweeter flavor you will get.
You have so many great options! Each of the different types of onions has a different flavor profile and will pair differently with your other burger toppings of choice. Use our comparison chart and information about each onion to choose from one of these options: yellow onions, white onions, red onions, sweet or Vidalia onions, shallots, leeks, French’s crispy fried onions, grilled onions, green onions, or spring onions.
Yes, absolutely! The best raw onion for burgers is either a sweet or a red onion.
One slice, one or two rings, or a spoonful of cooked onion is usually sufficient unless you want the onion flavor to be dominant.
The best diced onion for a burger would be red, white, or sweet onion.
Yes! Onions and hamburgers can be cooked at the same time on the grill. Onions won’t take quite as long to cook so plan accordingly.
Yes. Green onions are often chopped up fine and used in the hamburger patty mixture to add mild onion flavor throughout the burger.
Yes. However, once onions are cut the flavor tends to intensify over time and might be off-putting after one or two days. Cut onions can also be frozen to be used later in soups, stews, or omelets. They tend to get mushy once frozen so won’t work in salads or raw form.
Yes. Place your extra cooked onions in a sealed plastic baggy and keep them in the fridge for a few days and reheat them in the skillet with your meat of choice.
Grated onion may be cooked into a sauce or mixed into the raw meat before a patty is formed. It doesn’t work well to put grated onion directly on a burger because it tends to generate too much liquid and create a soggy bun.
Related Recipes
Conclusion
No matter which type of onion you choose, your hamburger will always be better with it as a topping. Onion on burger = perfection. Use our analysis of the best onions for burgers to choose an onion that will match and complement the flavor profile of your other burger toppings and the seasoning of your burger.
Which of these types of onions do you prefer on burgers? We’d love to read your comments.
Jason’s been firing up the grill for over 30 years after graduating from the US Coast Guard Academy. His love of finely-grilled steak and chicken led him to buy his first Weber grill to put on his apartment patio in 1992. Each military move led to a new grill (a mixture of gas and charcoal) until he fell in love with the Big Green Egg in 2008. Since then, he has added another 4 grills to the collection. Yes, he has a problem. Jason loves smoking in the ceramic BGE with exotic woods including olive wood from Egypt and hard to find varieties such as sassafras and orange wood. Jason takes the term “foodie” to a whole new level, jumping at the chance to take food tours and cooking classes during foreign travels. These have provided inspiration to incorporate new ideas into recipes when he gets back home. He has been featured in Fox News, Parade, Yahoo News, Kansas City Living and more. After retiring from the military and moving to southwest Florida, he has focused grilling and smoking locally sourced meats and fish (read: he likes to catch his own fish!)
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