The orchards are adorned with varieties of sweet and tart apples at this time of year, and September truly becomes a month where apples fill counters and become a prominent feature in the kitchen. Aside from luscious treats, like apple cakes and tarts, they pair so well in savory dishes. These Caramelized Apple Burgers are just one of the many mains we enjoy in the autumn, utilizing local and seasonal ingredients for one of the tastiest burgers to indulge in.

Sweet and savory go hand-in-hand here with quick caramelized apples and onions – the caramelization allowing their sweetness to really come through – on top of juicy beef burgers. The sauce is a classic blue cheese made simply with sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice. Norway has been awarded some of the best blue cheese in the world, so any reason to add it to a meal is most welcome. Its tanginess and sharpness also happen to be a perfect match with apples. Bacon adds a salty flavor and crunchy texture, while fresh salad leaves round everything off.

Enjoying these in the garden surrounded by apple trees is a wonderful way of appreciating the season and the bounty that it provides. You can also swap out the blue cheese sauce and just melt a flavorful cheese, such as brie, over the patties as they finish cooking. You can also omit the bacon altogether and still have a decadent burger.    

Caramelized Apple Burgers with Blue Cheese & Bacon (burger med karamellisert epler)

Serves 4

For the blue cheese sauce:

• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 5 ¼ ounces (150 g) blue cheese, crumbled

For the caramelized apples and onions:

• 3 tablespoons (42 g) butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tart apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

For the burgers:

• 8 slices bacon
• 1 ¼ pounds (600 g) ground beef, formed into 4 patties
• Salt and pepper
• Butter, for toasting
• 4 hamburger buns, such as brioche
• Salad greens

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For the blue cheese sauce, in a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, minced garlic and lemon juice. Fold in the blue cheese crumbles. Set aside.

To make the caramelized apples and onions, in a large frying pan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium-high heat. Add the onions and apples, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until caramelized and the apples are softened but retain their shape. Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside.

In the same skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towel and leave the grease in the skillet.

Season the burger patties with salt and pepper. Make an indent in the center of the patties with your thumb. Place the patties in the same skillet that was used to cook the bacon, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes then flip and cook for another 3 minutes or until medium rare.

Spread some butter on the hamburger buns. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the buns cut side down, and toast until lightly browned.  

To assemble the burgers, spread some blue cheese sauce on the bottom and top of each hamburger bun. Arrange some salad greens on the bottom of each bun then top with a patty, followed by the caramelized apples and onions and bacon. Finish with the bun tops and serve immediately.