Bacon Cheeseburger with Caramelized Onions and Peppers on a Gluten Free Bun

This is a juicy bacon cheeseburger with caramelized onions and peppers on a fluffy gluten free bun. It’s one of the best burgers you’ll ever have.

Friday night is burger night here at our house. Last week I decided to add a creative twist to this old favorite by adding special toppings.

One of my sons, who was visiting for the weekend, tasted this burger and exclaimed, “Wow, Mom what did you do to this burger? Seriously, it’s one of the best burgers I’ve ever had.”  

That was quite a compliment since he lives in the big city and has frequented some of the best burger places in the world.

John also couldn’t stop praising my new creation, a juicy bacon cheeseburger decked with sweet caramelized onions and peppers on a delicious gluten-free bun.

I’ve been making burgers for our family ever since our children were little. However, when my husband and two of my sons found out they had gluten sensitivity over thirteen years ago, we could no longer enjoy the burgers with hamburger buns.

They still remained one of our weekly dinners, but without a bun, they weren’t the same.

Are gluten-free buns readily available in stores?

After a long search, we finally discovered fluffy, gluten free Canyon Bakehouse buns sprinkled with sesame seeds in our local grocery store. Excellent.

Update: Unfortunately, the sesame seed buns are no longer available; only plain. 

Since I first published this recipe, many more gluten free options are available in grocery stores. So go with your favorite gluten free hamburger buns. We do also like Udi’s.

Now, topped with bacon and caramelized onions and peppers, our Friday night cheeseburgers have truly become extraordinary.

Even better, I have begun serving grass-fed burgers, which are not only delicious but also have many nutritional benefits that you can read about here.

While lean ground beef can be used, it may result in slightly drier patties. Using ground beef with a higher fat content, such as an 80/20 blend, can yield juicier and more flavorful burgers.

Among my collection of dinner recipes and favorite quick lunches, this burger holds a special place.

If you want to be a hit with your family, add this fast and easy burger with a gluten free bun recipe to your repertoire.

Ingredients

Are you excited to become the culinary hero of your household? Let’s start by assembling the necessary ingredients for this scrumptious burger on a gluten-free bun.

Burger Patties

• Burgers: For juicy burgers, opt for 80/20 ground chuck.

Flavor Enhancers

• Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder

Toppings

• Swiss Cheese or choose your favorite cheese
• Onion: yellow, red, or sweet onion 
• Bell Pepper
• Butter and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil to cook the onions and peppers
• Bacon 
• Romaine Lettuce: Iceberg or Butter lettuce, green or red leaf will work too

Condiment

• Ketchup

Bun 

• Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns

Instructions:

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

First, cook the bacon and set aside. Get all my tips to cook your bacon in the oven here. There’s no fuss and no splattering mess. Just delicious perfectly done bacon. Then drain it on paper towels.

Tip: When forming your burger, don’t over-mix your meat or your burgers may turn out tough. A few pats to form your patties is all you need. Treat your meat gently for the juiciest, most flavorful burgers!

Season burgers with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Grill, pan-fry, or broil the burgers, about 4 minutes on each side.

Top with cheese and cook for about 1 more minute.

Meanwhile, heat oil and butter in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and peppers and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Cook, stirring every few minutes, until onions are caramelized and peppers are slightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Now, grill the gluten free buns with lots of butter so they won’t be dry. You can see how I do this with gluten free bread in my Gluten Free French Onion Soup recipe. 

Place lettuce on each bun, drizzle with ketchup, top with a cheeseburger, the caramelized onions and peppers, and finally bacon!

And there you go. Dig in and enjoy!

Serve your cheeseburger along with a chilled glass of lemon juice lemonade, healthier Homemade French Fries cooked in refined avocado oil, and a fresh Summer Salad or Pickled Green Tomatoes.

Pro tips and recipe notes

• Adjust Cooking Time for Perfect Patties

Cooking time may vary to reach your desired level of doneness depending on the size of your patties. Keep in mind, they’ll shrink about 20% when cooked.

For example:

1. When broiling 1/4-pound burgers, cook for 4 minutes on each side plus 1 more minute to melt the cheese on top.
2. If pan-frying 7-ounce burgers, heat a little oil in a cast iron skillet, flip the burgers every 2 minutes for 12 minutes, then add 1 more minute with the pan covered to melt the cheese.
3. Grilling follows a similar method for mouthwatering results.

• Enhance the Flavor of Grilled Gluten Free Buns

Grill your gluten-free buns to elevate their flavor. Simply slather the cut side of each bun with about 2 tablespoons of butter, then place them cut side down on your grill or in a griddle pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Allow them to toast, pressing down on them with a spatula so that they absorb the butter until golden. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in taste!

• Get Creative with Toppings

What toppings do you love on your burgers? I personally enjoy topping these bacon cheeseburgers with swiss cheese, caramelized veggies, and crispy bacon. Are you a fan of American, cheddar, or provolone cheese? The choice is yours! And don’t forget about the extras – tomato, pickles, sprouts, avocado, sautéed mushrooms, or any other toppings you fancy. Share your favorite burger creations in the comments below!

• Savor Your Favorite Condiments

Let’s talk condiments! My go-to is ketchup, and I’ve recently discovered a fantastic sugar-free option from Primal Kitchen. But whether you prefer classic mayo, tangy mustard, or smoky barbecue sauce, the burger world is your oyster. Experiment with different flavors and find your perfect combination!

Tip: While most condiments are naturally gluten-free, it’s essential to double-check the labels, as some may contain hidden sources of gluten, such as modified food starch or malt vinegar. Opt for certified gluten-free condiments. 

• Managing leftovers

Got leftovers? No problem! Cooked hamburgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat them in the oven or on the stovetop for a quick and satisfying meal whenever hunger strikes.

Side dish suggestions for gluten free cheeseburger

Take your pick of side dishes from my collection of appetizers and sides—feel free to choose more than one! For example:

• Healthier potato salad: Includes potato salad tricks to make healthier potato salad!
• Cole Slaw With Sugar Free Dressing: A refreshing and creamy coleslaw that everyone will love!
• Cucumber Salad: A salad that’s easy to put together, and easy to love. 

Finish off your meal on a sweet note with one of my gluten free dessert recipes, like buttery soft Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies or easy chocolate drizzled coconut macaroons.

*Also, I want to note that I did not receive any compensation from Canyon Bakehouse or Udi’s for writing this review. These opinions are completely my own — I just had to share these wonderful products with you.

I hope this burger becomes your new favorite. And if you have any questions, please reach out to me in the comments or shoot me an email, and I’ll respond ASAP!

Take a look at these recipes next

Tasty Ground Beef Recipes: This is a collection of delicious recipes for weeknight meals, special dinners, recipes for kids, and for when you need to feed a crowd.

Salisbury Steak With Homemade Gravy: Now, you may be thinking, Salisbury steak is really just a bunless hamburger. Hardly. With sausage in the mix and a homemade gravy, these steaks are incredible.

Review: Cup 4 Cup Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Mix: These gourmet-tasting brownies are delightfully fudgy and intensely chocolaty: the perfect dessert treat.

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5 from 1 vote

Bacon Cheeseburger with Caramelized Onions and Peppers on a Gluten Free Bun

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Juicy bacon cheeseburger with caramelized onions and peppers on a fluffy gluten free bun. This is one of the best burgers you'll ever have.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 519kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

• 4 burgers 80/20 ground chuck is best for juicy burgers
• 1 onion thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• garlic powder to taste
• 4 gluten free hamburger buns
• 4 slices swiss cheese
• 8 slices bacon
• 4 leaves romaine lettuce
• ketchup

Instructions

• Cook the bacon and set aside.
  8 slices bacon
• Season burgers with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
  4 burgers, salt and pepper, garlic powder
• Grill, pan-fry, or broil burgers, about 4 minutes on each side. (See Notes.) Top with cheese and cook for about 1 more minute.
  4 slices swiss cheese
• Meanwhile, heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and peppers and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter
• Cook, stirring every few minutes, until onions are caramelized and peppers are slightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Lightly grill the buns (See Notes.) and place lettuce on each, drizzle with ketchup, top with cheeseburger, caramelized onions and peppers and finally bacon!
  4 gluten free hamburger buns, 4 leaves romaine lettuce, ketchup

Notes

• Adjust Cooking Time for Perfect Patties

Cooking time may vary to reach your desired level of doneness depending on the size of your patties. Keep in mind, they'll shrink about 20% when cooked.

For example:

1. When broiling 1/4-pound burgers, cook for 4 minutes on each side plus 1 more minute to melt the cheese on top.
2. If pan-frying 7-ounce burgers, heat a little oil in a cast iron skillet, flip the burgers every 2 minutes for 12 minutes, then add 1 more minute with the pan covered to melt the cheese.
3. Grilling follows a similar method for mouthwatering results.

• Enhance the Flavor of Grilled Gluten Free Buns

Grill your gluten-free buns to elevate their flavor. Simply slather the cut side of each bun with about 2 tablespoons of butter, then place them cut side down on your grill or in a griddle pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Allow them to toast, pressing down on them with a spatula so that they absorb the butter until golden. It's a small step that makes a big difference in taste!

• Managing leftovers

Cooked hamburgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat them in the oven or on the stovetop for a quick and satisfying meal whenever hunger strikes.

Nutrition

Calories: 519kcal

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