Bourbon Burgers with Dubliner Cheddar Cheese topped with Bourbon Sauteed Onions

We are way overdue for a new burger on the blog.  What better combination than bourbon, beef and Irish Cheddar?

For the burgers:

2 lbs. ground chuck
3 T. bourbon
2 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1 1/4 t. dried oregano
1 1/2 t. granulated garlic
1 1/2 t. ground cumin
1 1/4 salt
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
6 oz. Dubliner cheese sliced into 1 oz. slices.

In a large bowl, combine ground chuck with bourbon and Worcestershire sauce and mix lightly with a fork.  Add the seasonings and mix lightly to combine.   Form into 6 patties .  Don't overmix.  

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  On a lightly greased baking sheet, place the burgers and let bake for 8 minutes.  Remove from oven and carefully turn over with a spatula.    Return to oven for 3 - 4 more minutes or until burgers have reached desired doneness.  

Place cheese slices on burgers and place under broiler until cheese has melted.  Place on buns and top with sauteed onions and your favorite fixings.  I enjoyed some of the fresh garden lettuces on mine.  The freshness of the lettuce helped to cut the richness of the burger.  It was a great contrast of flavors and textures.

For the onions:

1 large sweet yellow onion, cut in half lengthwise and then thinly sliced
1 T. olive oil
1 T. butter
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 t. dried oregano
1/4 t. ground cumin
1/4 t. granulated garlic
4 T. bourbon

Heat olive oil and butter in a medium skillet over medium high heat.  Add onion slices to skillet and mix in with the butter and olive oil.

Add seasonings and continue to saute onions.

When onions are tender and golden brown, remove from heat and add bourbon.  Stir to combine and return to low heat and let onions absorb the liquid.  Serve on top of burgers.