Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger
The Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger is a popular recipe from my home state that combines half ground beef and half grilled onions for a deliciously flavorful burger recipe. Growing up, my uncle owned an Onion Fried Burger restaurant in Oklahoma, so I'm here to share all of his tips and tricks!
Ingredients
- 2 cups yellow onions, thinly sliced – I use a mandoline to get ultra thin slices
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vegetable oil
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese, or American cheese
Instructions
- Thinly slice the onions, using a sharp knife, or a mandoline.
- Combine the ground beef, salt and pepper, then divide it into 4 quarter-pound balls of beef.
- Heat a flat top grill, cast iron skillet, or griddle to medium-high heat.
- Add the vegetable oil to the griddle and place the buns face-down on the griddle. Toast the buns for approximately 1 minute, or until browned around the edges. Set the buns aside.
- Spray the back of a large flat metal spatula with cooking spray. Place each of the balls of ground beef on the hot griddle. Use the back of the spatula to smash the ground beef into flattened burger patties. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add approximately ½ cup of thinly sliced onions on top of each smashed burger patty.
- Smash the onions into the patties. Carefully flip the burgers, so the onions are now on the bottom. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Place a slice of cheese on each burger patty and allow it to melt over the burgers for 1-2 minutes.
- Use a spatula to flip the fried onion burgers onto the toasted buns, with the onion facing up. Add the top bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Level up the flavor of the burgers by replacing the salt and pepper with 2 teaspoons of this hamburger seasoning.
- Add any optional toppings of your choice, like burger sauce, ketchup, mayo, mustard, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, pickles or jalapenos.
- Always prep the buns and toppings before cooking the burgers. These burgers cook quickly and are best eaten hot and fresh off the griddle, so you want to make sure the buns are toasted and topped with whatever toppings you’re adding to the burgers, before actually cooking the burgers.
- Always make sure the griddle is hot before adding the burgers. Adding burgers (or any food for that matter) to a hot surface is important for cooking safety. It will also give you a beautiful sear on the outside, while keeping the burgers super juicy on the inside. Fried onion burgers should be cooked over medium-high heat, around 400 degrees fahrenheit.
- If you don’t have a flat top or griddle, you can make the burgers in a skillet. Depending on the size of your skillet, you’ll probably only be able to fit 2 burger patties in the skillet at a time. I recommend a cast iron skillet if you have one available. A cast iron skillet can be used on the stove, or on a grill, to make these burgers.
Nutrition Facts
Calories 544kcal (27%)Carbohydrates 27g (9%)Protein 31g (62%)Fat 34g (52%)Saturated Fat 15g (75%)Cholesterol 110mg (37%)Sodium 1049mg (44%)Potassium 469mg (13%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 5g (6%)Vitamin A 281mg (6%)Vitamin C 5mg (6%)Calcium 309mg (31%)Iron 4mg (22%)
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