Irish Pub Burgers Recipe
Introduction
Irish Pub Burgers bring the rich flavors of a traditional Irish pub right to your kitchen. Juicy beef patties topped with caramelized onions simmered in stout, crispy bacon, and a tangy sour cream sauce make these burgers a satisfying treat. Perfect for a casual dinner or weekend gathering.

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 grease.
- Step 2: Remove most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving just 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 the liquid is reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside the caramelized onions.
- Step 4: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 4 patties, making them 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 desired doneness. In the last minute of cooking, top each patty with grated cheddar cheese and cover the pan to melt the cheese.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt to create a tangy sauce.
- Step 7: Toast the brioche buns in a skillet with butter until they are golden brown.
- Step 8: Assemble the burgers by layering the toasted bun bottoms, cheeseburger patties, caramelized onions, two slices of crispy bacon, a dollop of sauce, and the bun tops.
- Step 9: Serve hot with your choice of fries, chips, or a cold stout for an authentic pub experience.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try mixing finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or parsley into the beef before forming patties.
- Swap cheddar for a sharp Irish cheddar or smoked cheese to enhance the pub-inspired taste.
- If you prefer a milder onion flavor, sauté the onions for a shorter time before adding the stout.
- Use a cast iron skillet for caramelizing onions to get the best depth of flavor.
- For a vegetarian twist, substitute beef patties with portobello mushrooms and omit bacon.
Storage
Store leftover cooked patties and caramelized onions separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the buns in a sealed bag at room temperature or freeze for longer storage. Reheat patties gently in a skillet or oven to retain juiciness, and toast buns again before serving.
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 a darker beer like a porter or a robust ale if you don’t have Irish stout. Avoid very light beers as they won’t provide the same depth of flavor.
How do I know when the burger patties are cooked properly?
Cooking times vary depending on thickness and heat. For safety, cook ground beef patties to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). The burgers should be browned on the outside and no longer pink inside, unless you prefer them medium.
PrintIrish Pub Burgers Recipe
Irish Pub Burgers are a flavorful twist on classic burgers, featuring juicy beef patties topped with melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and rich caramelized onions simmered in Irish stout. Finished with a tangy Dijon sour cream sauce and served on toasted brioche buns, this recipe brings pub-style comfort food right to your kitchen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Meat 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
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Buns
- 4 brioche burger buns
- Butter (for toasting buns)
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until they are crispy. Once done, transfer them onto paper towels to drain excess grease.
- Caramelize Onions: Remove most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving just enough to coat the pan. Add the sliced onions and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until they are caramelized, about 10-15 minutes.
- Reduce Irish Stout: Pour the Irish stout into the skillet with the onions and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside the caramelized onions mixture.
- Prepare Patties: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently and form into four patties slightly larger than the buns.
- Cook Patties: Grill or pan-fry the beef patties over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, or cook to your desired level of doneness. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with the grated cheddar cheese and cover the pan to allow the cheese to melt.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt to create a tangy sauce.
- Toast Buns: Butter the brioche buns lightly and toast them in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown.
- Assemble Burgers: On each bun bottom, place the cheeseburger patty, followed by a generous portion of caramelized onions, two slices of crispy bacon, and a dollop of the prepared sauce. Top with the bun’s top half.
- Serve: Serve the Irish Pub Burgers hot, ideally with fries, chips, or a cold Irish stout for a perfect pub-style meal.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and juiciness.
- Keep an eye on the caramelizing onions to prevent burning; stir regularly.
- You can substitute the Irish stout with another dark beer if unavailable.
- For a smoky flavor, consider using smoked cheddar cheese.
- Toast buns in butter to add richness and prevent sogginess.
- Allow patties to rest a few minutes before assembling for juicier burgers.
Keywords: Irish Pub Burger, beef burger, caramelized onions, bacon burger, stout beer burger, brioche bun burger, pub food, comfort food

