Spicy Turkey Burgers with Barbecued Onions | Rachael Ray

For the onions, heat a medium skillet over medium heat with olive or canola oil. Add onions and season with salt and pepper; add bay leaf. Cook onions until tender then add garlic and cook until onions are light golden and just beginning to caramelize, 20 minutes. Stir in ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, Worcestershire, cider vinegar, brown sugar and stock. Simmer over low heat to combine flavors and thicken a bit. Keep warm over a low flame, adding a splash of water to keep loose if necessary. Discard bay leaf before serving and adjust heat level by adding a little more hot sauce to your taste.

For the burgers, place turkey in bowl and season with salt and pepper. Grate a few tablespoons of onion over bowl into turkey meat. Add garlic, Worcestershire, cumin, coriander and paprika, and drizzle a little oil over the meat. Mix well with your hands and form four large or six medium patties. Patties should be thinner at center and thicker at edges for even cooking. 

Preheat a griddle or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat for burgers. When very hot, add burgers and cook 10-12 minutes turning once. Add cheese, if using, in last minute or two of cooking time melt cheese under foil tent or lid.

Place lettuce and pickles on bun bottoms and top with burgers or cheeseburgers. Mound up some barbecued onions and set bun tops in place.