Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers Recipe

Introduction

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers are a flavorful twist on the classic burger, featuring thin, smashed beef patties topped with sweet, caramelized onions. This recipe delivers a juicy, savory bite with melty cheese and soft buns, perfect for a comforting meal at home.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef (preferably 80/20)
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 6 slices American cheese
• 6 hamburger buns
• Ketchup, mustard, and/or mayonnaise, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Divide the ground beef into 6 equal pieces (about 2.5 ounces each) and roll each into a ball.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet or griddle over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Step 3: In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Working in batches, place the beef balls in the skillet. Using a large, heavy metal spatula, press down on each ball firmly to flatten it into a thin patty. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Step 4: Top each patty generously with the cooked onions and press down again so some onions adhere to the meat. There will be some onions spilling over the edges—that’s ideal. Cook undisturbed until the bottom is browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Step 5: Flip the patties so the onions are on the bottom. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on each patty, then top with the hamburger buns. Continue to cook until the other side is browned, about 1 minute.
6. Step 6: Move the onions to one side of the skillet. Place the bottom buns next to the onions and warm them through for about 30 seconds to steam without toasting. Transfer the warmed buns to a plate.
7. Step 7: Remove the burger patties from the skillet along with any onions and place them on the bottom buns. Repeat for the remaining burgers and buns, stirring the pile of onions regularly to prevent burning.
8. Step 8: Serve the onion burgers with your favorite condiments such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.

Tips & Variations

• Use an 80/20 beef ratio for juicy, flavorful patties that hold up well when smashed thin.
• Caramelize the onions longer for a sweeter flavor and deeper color.
• Try different cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack for a varied taste.
• Serve with pickles or sautéed mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for the best heat retention and crust formation on the patties.

Storage

Store leftover onion burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave to maintain juiciness. Avoid reheating too long to prevent drying out the patties and onions.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers ahead of time?

You can prepare the onions and beef balls ahead, but for the best texture and flavor, cook and assemble the burgers just before serving.

What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?

A heavy-bottomed stainless steel or non-stick skillet works as well, though a cast-iron skillet helps achieve the best sear and caramelization.

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers Recipe

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Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers are a classic American comfort food featuring thinly smashed beef patties cooked with sweet, caramelized onions. The onions are cooked in butter until soft and piled generously on the patties, which are smashed thin in a cast-iron skillet for a perfectly crispy, flavorful crust. Melted American cheese and lightly warmed buns complete this flavorful, juicy burger experience. Serve with your favorite condiments like ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise for an indulgent, nostalgic meal.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Burger

• 1 lb. ground beef (preferably 80/20)
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6 slices American cheese
• 6 hamburger buns

Onions and Butter

• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

Condiments

• Ketchup, mustard, and/or mayonnaise, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef balls: Divide the ground beef into 6 equal pieces, approximately 2.5 ounces each, and roll each into a ball shape. This will make it easier to smash into thin patties later.
2. Cook the onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook them, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and become translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Cook the patties with onions: In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Working in batches if needed, place the beef balls into the skillet. Using a large, heavy metal spatula, press down firmly on each ball to smash it into a very thin patty. Season each patty with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Generously pile the cooked onions on top of each patty and press down again to make the onions stick to the meat. There will be some onions spilling off the sides, which is desired. Cook undisturbed until the bottom is nicely browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Flip and add cheese: Carefully flip each patty so that the onions are now on the bottom side. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on top and cover with the top half of the bun. Continue cooking for about 1 minute to allow the other side to brown and the cheese to melt slightly.
5. Warm the bottom buns: In the other skillet where you cooked the onions, push them to one side. Arrange the bottom halves of the buns next to the onions and warm them through gently for about 30 seconds. The goal is to steam the buns slightly rather than toast them.
6. Assemble the burgers: Lift the patties with the melted cheese and onions and place each one on a warmed bottom bun. Repeat the process for the remaining burgers, making sure to stir the pile of onions occasionally to prevent burning.
7. Serve: Serve the Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers immediately with your choice of ketchup, mustard, and/or mayonnaise for a classic, comforting meal.

Notes

• For best results, use an 80/20 ground beef blend to get juicy, flavorful patties with a good fat ratio.
• A cast-iron skillet is ideal for this recipe as it helps achieve the perfect crust and withstands high heat well.
• Do not move the patties once smashed and placed in the pan until the bottom is browned to ensure a crispy crust forms.
• Pressing the patties thinly and adding a lot of onions creates the signature texture and flavor of Oklahoma fried onion burgers.
• Warming the buns by steaming rather than toasting keeps them soft and moist, complementing the crispy burger.
• You can add other toppings like pickles or lettuce if desired, but the traditional recipe keeps it simple.

Keywords: Oklahoma fried onion burger, smashed burger, crispy burger, onion burger, American cheese burger, cast iron skillet burger