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    Home » Recipes » Burgers

    Wisconsin Butter Burgers

    Published: Jun 10, 2024 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Wisconsin Butter Burgers.

    These homemade Wisconsin butter burgers are incredibly indulgent burgers loaded with sauteed onions, pickles, and of course, lots of butter. This is not a recipe for anyone counting calories! However, this Wisconsin classic might just be the ultimate in comfort food, and it is easy to make in the comfort of your home!

    Wisconsin butter burgers.

    What are they?

    Wisconsin is famously the dairy state. We love butter and cheese, and this Wisconsin butter burger recipe is loaded with both. These great burgers are pan-fried in butter, topped with melted cheddar cheese, and then an additional pat of butter is melted on top of the patty in lieu of any condiments (sorry, you don't need any burger sauce!). Finally, this Wisconsin tradition is served on a toasted buttered bun.

    You will find authentic butter burgers served at some of the best greasy spoon diners across the state, such as Solly's Grille, Kopps in Milwaukee, Krolls West in Green Bay, and others. However, Culver's butter burgers are the most famous. Ironically though, this popular fast food chain doesn't serve authentic butter burgers. Culver's burgers are only called butter burgers because they lightly butter the crown of the bun. Those aren't the butter-soaked burgers we are talking about today.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Showing Wisconsin butter burger ingredients.
    • Ground beef - I prefer to use ground chuck, but any 80/20 beef will work well. For the best burger, you don't want overly lean ground beef or the patty won't be very juicy.
    • Yellow onion - A sweet onion is a perfect substitution.
    • Butter 
    • Cheddar cheese - Cheddar is the best choice but American cheese can be substituted.
    • Dill pickle slices
    • Hamburger buns - You want fresh hamburger buns from the grocery store's bakery department to truly replicate an authentic butter burger.
    • Salt and black pepper - Kosher salt or table salt is fine.

    Note on additional toppings - The best part of this tasty meal is its simplicity, so I do not recommend adding additional toppings like fresh mushrooms, ketchup, or mustard.

    Melting butter on burger patty.

    How to make them

    Begin making your homemade butter burger by first sauteing the chopped onions in a large cast iron skillet set over medium heat on the stove top with two tablespoons of butter and cook until translucent. Then remove the cooked onions from the skillet and set aside in a small bowl.

    Form thin burger patties by separating the meat into equal portions, then press the ground beef into a flat patty slightly wider than your bun. If you have large hamburger buns, you may want to use a larger hamburger patty.

    Add one tablespoon of butter to the hot skillet set over medium high heat and add your raw burger patties. Cook until they are nicely seared underneath, then flip once and let finish cooking. Add a cheese slice to the top of the burgers after flipping.

    While the burgers cook, butter the interior of each bun and toast in a separate skillet set over medium heat. Then assemble your butter burgers by adding the meat patties to the bottom bun and topping in a small pat of butter, followed by the sauteed onions, pickles, and top bun. (alternatively, you can add your favorite toppings)

    Serve with onion rings or French fries along with a milkshake. Finally, for a true Wisconsin feast, you'll want to fry up some cheese curds as well!

    Wisconsin butter burger toppings.

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    Wisconsin butter burger recipe.

    Wisconsin Butter Burgers

    These homemade Wisconsin butter burgers are incredibly decedent burgers loaded with sauteed onions, pickles, and a generous amount of butter.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Sandwich
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 697kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Equipment

    • 2 Large skillets

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 large yellow onion chopped
    • 1 stick butter divided
    • 4 slices cheddar cheese
    • 12 pickle slices
    • 4 hamburger buns
    • salt and black pepper

    Instructions

    Butter Burger Prep

    • Divide your ground beef into 4 equal-sized chunks and firmly press them flat until they are slightly wider than the hamburger bun.* Sprinkle patties with salt and black pepper.
    • Generously butter the cut side of each hamburger bun.

    Making Butter Burgers

    • Add two tablespoons of butter to a large skillet set over medium heat and add the chopped onions. Saute until tender, then remove the onion and set aside.
    • Increase the stovetop to medium-high heat, add an additional tablespoon of butter to the skillet, and cook your hamburger patties for 2-4 minutes per side. Add a slice of cheese after flipping the patty and continue cooking until the patty reaches your desired level of doneness and the cheese has melted.
    • While the patties cook, place the hamburger buns buttered-side down in a separate skillet and toast until golden brown

    Assembly

    • Place each beef patty on a toasted bun and top with a thin pat of butter (approximately 1 teaspoon), then add sauteed onions, pickles, and the top hamburger bun. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    *If you have large hamburger buns you may want to make your hamburger patties up to ⅓ pound each.
    Do not press the burger patties as they cook. This expels the juice and will result in a dry patty.
    Optionally: Brush the bun tops with additional butter when serving.

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 697kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 752mg | Potassium: 457mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 916IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    This recipe was originally published on October 4, 2022.

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