Irish Pub Burgers Recipe
Introduction
Irish Pub Burgers bring the hearty flavors of a classic pub right to your kitchen. Combining juicy beef, smoky bacon, and rich caramelized onions simmered in Irish stout, these burgers are topped with cheddar cheese and a tangy sour cream sauce for a truly satisfying meal.

Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 4 slices of bacon
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup Irish stout (like Guinness)
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 brioche burger buns
- Butter (for toasting buns)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Remove excess grease from the skillet, leaving enough to coat the pan. Add the sliced onions and cook over medium heat until caramelized, about 10-15 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour in the Irish stout and simmer until reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
- Step 4: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 4 patties slightly larger than the buns.
- Step 5: Grill or pan-fry the patties over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they reach your preferred doneness.
- Step 6: In the last minute of cooking, top each patty with grated cheddar cheese and cover to melt the cheese.
- Step 7: In a small bowl, mix together sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt to create the sauce.
- Step 8: Toast the brioche buns in a skillet with butter until golden brown on both sides.
- Step 9: Assemble the burgers by layering the bottom bun, cheeseburger patty, caramelized onions, two slices of bacon, a dollop of the sauce, and the top bun.
- Step 10: Serve hot with fries, chips, or enjoy alongside a cold stout for a true pub experience.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the ground beef before forming the patties.
- Swap cheddar for Irish sharp cheddar or even a creamy blue cheese to suit your taste.
- Use a cast iron skillet for caramelizing onions to get the best color and flavor.
- To make the burgers juicier, avoid pressing down on the patties while cooking.
Storage
Store leftover cooked patties and caramelized onions separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep buns fresh in a sealed bag at room temperature or in the fridge if needed. Reheat patties gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave before assembling. Avoid toasting buns again during reheating to prevent dryness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of beer instead of Irish stout?
Yes, you can substitute with any dark beer like porter or a rich ale, though the flavor will be slightly different. Avoid light beers as they won’t add the same depth to the caramelized onions.
What’s the best way to ensure my burger patties stay juicy?
Use ground beef with an 80/20 fat ratio, handle the meat gently when forming patties, and avoid pressing them down during cooking. Also, cook to medium or medium-rare for maximum juiciness.
PrintIrish Pub Burgers Recipe
These Irish Pub Burgers combine juicy, flavorful beef patties with crispy bacon, rich caramelized onions cooked in Irish stout, and a tangy sour cream and Dijon mustard sauce, all sandwiched in buttery toasted brioche buns for a hearty pub-style meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
For the Patties and Toppings
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 4 slices of bacon
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup Irish stout (like Guinness)
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 4 brioche burger buns
- Butter (for toasting buns)
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until they are crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain excess grease.
- Caramelize Onions: Remove excess bacon grease from the skillet, leaving just enough to coat the pan. Add the sliced onions and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 10-15 minutes.
- Reduce Irish Stout: Pour in the Irish stout into the skillet with the onions and allow it to simmer until reduced by half, which will enhance the sweetness of the onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set the mixture aside.
- Prepare Patties: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Gently mix to incorporate the seasoning, then form the meat into four patties slightly larger than the buns to account for shrinkage during cooking.
- Cook Patties: Grill or pan-fry the patties over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired doneness. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with grated cheddar cheese and cover them to help the cheese melt smoothly.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt until well combined. This tangy sauce will add a creamy bite to the burgers.
- Toast Buns: Lightly butter the brioche buns and toast them in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Assemble Burgers: Build the burgers by layering the bun bottoms, cheesy beef patties, caramelized onions, two slices of crispy bacon, a generous dollop of the sour cream and mustard sauce, and finally the bun tops.
- Serve: Serve your Irish Pub Burgers hot alongside fries, potato chips, or a cold Irish stout for the authentic pub experience.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy and flavorful patties.
- Caramelizing onions slowly brings out natural sweetness; be patient during this step.
- Grilling adds smokiness, but pan-frying works perfectly well indoors.
- Toast buns in butter for extra flavor and to prevent sogginess from the toppings.
- For a spicier sauce, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the sour cream mixture.
Keywords: Irish Pub Burgers, Guinness Burgers, Caramelized Onion Burgers, Bacon Cheeseburger, Irish Recipe

