Last fall I went to visit my parents in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They took me to all of their favorite restaurants, including Bistro on Spruce. I was intrigued by a Bistro Burger with garlic aioli. I almost always have a burger with barbecue sauce, so I had to try it. That was hands down the best burger I have ever had in my life! I kid you not, it was perfect…..
Fresh, soft buns, tangy sauce, and you can’t go wrong with bacon. I could have eaten that same meal everyday while I was there, but I did not. In fact, I never got a chance to eat it a second time before I had to leave. One of these days I will go back there, but until then…..I have created my own. Okay seriously, it wasn’t all that hard. I did not have Kaiser buns, in fact I have never even tried to make them…..note to self. I used my standard homemade buns, made the aioli ahead of time, and the rest was really simple. I have come to realize that the hamburger bun, is the key to a great burger.
If you have never been to Idaho, you should seriously consider going, it is absolutely gorgeous. Mountains, trees, moose. We went on a boat tour around the lake…..
That’s my dad 😛
We went shopping in Spokane, Washington (it’s only 20 minutes away). They were having an art fair in Downtown Coeur D’Alene while I was there, and that is where I got my flying pig…..
Isn’t he cute? I was walking around carrying it like a scepter! Everyone who passed me, asked me where they could get one. While I was there I fell in love with the story of Mudgy the Moose & MIllie the Mouse. It is so adorable, and you can go around town and find the different landmarks that are talked about in the book…..
They are so cool!!! I need to go back, soon!
Are you ready to make your very own Bistro Burger?
How to make a Bistro Burger:
Heat small amount of olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion slices and cook until golden brown and caramelized, turning occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside…..
Fry bacon in a separate skillet until crispy {or bake in the oven}. Drain on paper towel and set aside.
Divide ground beef into 4 equal sized burgers and fry in a skillet until cooked thru. Just before the burgers are done, place a slice of cheese on each burger and cover pan with a lid to melt the cheese…..
Toast buns in a pan over medium – high heat. Place a Tablespoon of garlic aioli on the bottom bun…..
Top with a cheese burger patty, 2 slices of bacon and some of the caramelized onions lettuce and tomato…..
Place second half of bun on top {I add extra garlic aioli to the top bun} and serve….
So delicious!
More delicious Burger recipes:
Cowboy Burger – with barbecue sauce and onion rings
Classic Diner Burgers – thousand island dressing and the works
California Burgers – guacamole and bacon
Smashed Potato Burgers – no bun, Whole30 & Paleo
Mexican Burgers with Queso Blanco
Santa Fe Burgers – Red Robin copycat
Enjoy!!
Bistro Burger
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion sliced thin
- 8 Slices hickory-smoked bacon
- 1 1/2 Pounds grass-fed ground beef
- 4 Slices cheddar cheese
- garlic aioli
- 4 hamburger buns
- lettuce
- tomato sliced
Instructions
- Heat small amount of olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add onion slices and cook until golden brown and caramelized, turning occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Fry bacon in a separate skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towel and set aside.
- Divide ground beef into 4 equal sized burgers and fry in a skillet until cooked thru. Just before the burgers are done, place a slice of cheese on each burger and cover pan with a lid to melt the cheese.
- Toast buns in a pan over medium - high heat.
- Place a Tablespoon of garlic aioli on the bottom bun.
- Top with a cheese burger patty, 2 slices of bacon and some of the caramelized onions, lettuce and tomato.
- Place second half of bun on top and serve.
Notes
- I only had spring mix lettuce, so that is what I used.
- There are only 3 cheeseburgers shown in the pan, because my son's has to be removed before the cheese goes on!
- Super Easy Garlic Aioli recipe.
Looks sooo delish :). I am especially interested in the hamburger bun recipe. Upon first glance, it actually looks very similar to a recipe I have here at home (but haven’t tried yet). Being gluten-free, I personally can’t eat them, but my family sure can. I shall give your recipe a go and let you know. Also, your aioli recipe is going to be perfect I just know it. What’s weird is that tonight I used a mixture so close to what you posted (but also adding several other seasonings & a splash of rice milk), to make a sort of dairy free Ranch dressing substitute for dipping some organic Red Bell Pepper slices into. That concoction turned out totally yummy, so I know your aioli spread is going to hit it on the nose. No doubt 🙂 – Thanx for sharing this, Lisa 🙂
I have not tried your Dairy-free Ranch dressing yet, so I searched out your recipe and had to smile….. great minds think alike, girlfriend, ’cause you and I are pretty much doing the same thing. I can’t do Soy tho’, so I do Rice milk, and I also add a touch of cayenne pepper, smoked paprika & salt. Depending on my mood too, I might change out one if the vinegars with fresh lemon juice. The thing that I think totally makes awesome Ranch dressing tho’….. Homemade Mayo…. Mmmm. When I was forced to start making my own, due to Gluten & Soy issues, I not only discovered how easy and fast it is to make (with an immersion blender anyway), but how seriously delish’ it is. It’s cheap to make too. You should try it.
Love this recipe, it looks and sounds delicious!!! Really like the idea of the garlic aioli on the burger, its what makes it “bistro” 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
This looks so good! I think the spring mix was a nice addition to the “bistro burger” too 🙂 Stopping by from Your Home Based Mom!
oh girl that looks good!!
I always love a good burger. Yours looks good. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday.
Your co host from Nosh My Way
I love a hamburger rich in vegetables.
Thanks for joining us at Saturday Dishes, Pinned to Saturday Dishes board ~ Paula
Thanks for linking to Saturday Dishes. Come back next week when we feature ice cream. Yum!
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
Yum! We love garlic in this house so I can’t imagine not liking this!!
I love a good burger! And, who knew Idaho was such an amazing place? Thanks for the recipe – even I can manage that!!
I can smell the bacon and grilled onions. Yummers.
Okay, the flying pig is hysterical. Great site – I love that you give photos for each step… and yum!!!
Looks and sounds amazing! The photos of each step are great!
Yummy! You put garlic on almost anything and I’ll love it. I’ll have to try this sometime.
Tis burger looks simply amazing. Do you deliver?
Man, that looks good! I should have waited until after lunch to read this! Now I’m hungry!!
Mmmmmmmm Burgers! I have never had an aioli sauce but the description of how Yummy it was for you has made me willing to try…
Wow…thats what I call a burger! Great post!
Oh my that looks delightful! Awesome share for today. Enjoy all the SITStahs!
What a fun little trip! My kids would like going around the lake, the book about the moose, and an art fair! The hamburger looks yummy! I love how you took pictures of each step in the recipe. That is so helpful for us inexperienced cooks. I think I may even try this with my family!
Happy SITS Day!
Wow this looks amazing! I am a sucker for a good burger!
Thanks for sharing 😀 Stopping by from SITS!
Keia
Okay…
Pics are pretty, moose is really cute, burger looks de-lish! Happy SITS day!
That burger looks “to die for”! Definitely will be pinning the recipe. And the flying pig is a hoot!