Butter Burgers

Name: Butter Burgers
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 stick (8 Tbsp.) salted butter, at room temperature; 1 onion, chopped; 1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt; 4 soft hamburger buns; 1 lb. ground beef chuck (80/20); 1/2 tsp. black pepper; 4 slices American cheese; Pickle spears, for serving

They’re just like they sound—they’re doused in butter!

By Ree DrummondPublished: May 18, 2026

Be the first to review!

Jump to recipe

four cheeseburgers with onions on a wooden cutting board

ryan liebe

Yields:

4 serving(s)

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

There’s no such thing as too much butter when it comes to these butter burgers! They’re rich, juicy, perfectly cheesy, and guaranteed to become a favorite burger recipe for family dinners, cookouts, and easy weekend meals. Between the buttery toasted buns, tender beef patties, melty American cheese, and sweet skillet onions, every bite is packed with flavor.

What makes these burgers extra special is the butter layered throughout the recipe. The onions cook in butter until soft and flavorful, the toasted buns are spread with a generous swipe, and each burger is finished with a pat of butter right before serving. It may sound over the top, but that’s exactly what makes these burgers so delicious.

Another reason to love this recipe? It comes together in just 25 minutes in one skillet, making cleanup so easy and dinner stress-free. Serve them with a tomato cucumber salad to balance out all the richness, or some homemade fries if you’re going for a traditional side.

What is a butter burger?

A butter burger is a cheeseburger made extra rich and flavorful with butter added throughout the recipe. In my version, the buns are toasted and buttered, the onions are cooked in butter, and each burger gets a little extra butter melted on top before serving.

Can you make butter burgers ahead of time?

You can prep the onions and shape the burger patties ahead of time. Store them covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Don’t cook the burgers until you're ready to eat them, though. They're best served hot and fresh!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

Directions

1. Step 1Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and 1⁄4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.
2. Step 2Toast the buns in the same skillet over medium heat until golden but still soft. Spread generously with 3 tablespoons butter.
3. Step 3Form the beef into four 4-inch patties. Season both sides with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
4. Step 4Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook until well browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium doneness. In the last minute of cooking, top each with a slice of cheese and let melt.
5. Step 5Transfer the patties to the bottom buns and top each with about 1⁄2 tablespoon butter and 3 tablespoons of the cooked onions. Add the bun tops and serve with pickles.