Irish Pub Burger Recipe | Juicy Guinness Burger with Cheddar & Bacon
Learn how to make the best Irish Pub Burger with Guinness-caramelized onions, cheddar, and crispy bacon — a cozy pub-style burger that’s pure comfort.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for best juiciness)
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Irish stout (such as Guinness)
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 brioche burger buns
- 1 tbsp butter (for toasting the buns)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Keep about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan.
- Caramelize the onions: Add sliced onions to the skillet. Cook slowly over medium-low heat until golden and tender (10–15 minutes). Pour in the Irish stout and simmer until reduced by half — it should be thick and jammy. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Form and season the patties: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Gently shape into 4 patties slightly larger than your buns.
- Cook the burgers: Grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat, about 3–4 minutes per side or until cooked to your preferred doneness. In the final minute, top each patty with cheddar cheese and cover to melt.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt. This tangy sauce balances the burger’s richness.
- Toast the buns: Spread butter on the cut sides of the brioche buns and toast in a skillet until golden brown.
- Assemble the burgers: Bottom bun → cheeseburger patty → caramelized stout onions → bacon → dollop of mustard-sour cream sauce → top bun.