Avocado B-L-T Burgers With Caramelized Chipotle Onions

This is the grand prize winner from the Food Network Challenge, "Build a Better Burger" show. Grand Prize Winner Clint Stephenson, Friendswood, TX.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• Caramelized Chipotle Onions

• 1  large sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 1  tablespoon chipotle hot sauce (Tabasco)
• 1  tablespoon beef broth
• 1  tablespoon  balsamic vinegar
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1  tablespoon dark brown sugar

• Blue Cheese Spread

• 6  ounces  garlic & herb spreadable cheese
• 4  ounces blue cheese, crumbled

• Burgers

• 1  lb  ground chuck
• 1  lb  ground sirloin
• 1⁄3 cup  minced sweet onion
• 1⁄4 cup red wine
• 3  tablespoons fresh oregano (any combination) or 3  tablespoons fresh thyme (any combination) or 3  tablespoons fresh basil leaves, minced (any combination)
• 1  tablespoon chipotle hot sauce (Tabasco)
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  spicy seasoning salt
• 1  Hass avocado, sliced
• 1  tablespoon  balsamic vinegar
• 1  tablespoon seasoning salt
• 12  slices bacon, pre-cooked
• 6  kaiser rolls, split
• 6  lettuce leaves
• 6  slices tomatoes

Directions

1. For caramelized onions, combine onion, pepper sauce, broth, vinegar, oil, garlic, and brown sugar in a 10-inch nonstick skillet with a lid. When coals are ready, place covered pan on grill rack. Cook onion mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized and most of liquid is evaporated. Remove pan from grill and set aside.
2. For spread, combine spreadable cheese and blue cheese in a saucepan; cover and set aside.
3. For burgers, place ground beef in a large bowl. Add onion, red wine, herbs, pepper sauce, and seasoned salt; mix gently. Shape beef mixture into 6 round patties.
4. Brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Place patties on grill rack, cover, and cook about 4 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until cooked to desired doneness.
5. Meanwhile, place saucepan with cheese spread on outer edge of grill rack to warm cheese mixture just until it reaches a very soft, spreading consistency. Remove saucepan from grill and set aside.
6. During final minutes of grilling patties, brush avocado with balsamic and sprinkle with spicy seasoned salt. Arrange avocado slices on a rimmed nonstick perforated grilling pan coated lightly with oil, and grill alongside patties for 1 to 2 minutes, turning as necessary. During final 30 seconds, add bacon slices to pan. When avocados are nicely grilled and bacon is crisp, remove from grill. When patties are cooked, remove from grill, stacking to keep warm. Place rolls, cut side down, on outer edges of grill to toast lightly.
7. To assemble burgers, spread a generous amount of cheese spread over cut sides of rolls. On the bottom of each roll layer lettuce, a tomato slice, beef patty, caramelized onions, grilled avocado, and bacon. Add top and serve.