Bring your burger-making skills to the next level this summer

Hamburgers are a staple of summer menus in millions of homes. They’re often prepared on a grill, but cooking them on the stovetop can add a new flavor profile to this beloved summertime favorite. Those looking to do just that can try this recipe for beef burgers with onions, spinach, ketchup and blue cheese, courtesy of Lines+Angles.

Beef burgers with onions, spinach, ketchup and blue cheese

Makes four servings

For the sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil

One small red onion, peeled and finely diced

One or two cloves garlic, peeled and finely diced

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon brown sugar

8 ounces tomato puree

3 1⁄2 tablespoons tomato passata

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon whiskey

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1⁄2 teaspoon paprika

1⁄4 teaspoon chili powder

For the burgers:

1 1⁄4 pounds ground beef

One onion, peeled and finely diced

1 tablespoon mustard

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon chili sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 ounces Stilton cheese, sliced

4 sesame seed burger buns

Two to three handfuls baby spinach

6 tablespoons crispy onions

For the sauce: Heat the oil in a pan and lightly sauté the diced onion and garlic. Stir in the honey and sugar and simmer briefly. Mix in the tomato puree, passata, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and whiskey. Simmer until thickened. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, paprika and chili powder to taste.

For the burgers: Place the beef in a bowl. Add the onions, salt, pepper, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and chili sauce and mix well. Shape into four burgers.

Preheat a griddle pan. Lightly oil the pan and grill the burgers for eight to 10 minutes, turning once. During the last minute of cooking, top the burgers with cheese and allow it to melt. Remove the burgers from the pan and set aside. Halve the burger buns horizontally and toast in the pan, cut side down, for one minute, then remove.

Layer the bottom half of each bun with spinach and sprinkle with crispy onions. Place the burgers on top, drizzle with tomato sauce and cover with the top bun halves. Fix with a skewer if desired and serve with the remaining sauce separately.