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Fried onion burgers will be the hit of the cookout. These smashed burgers are cooked to perfection and topped with grilled onions and cheese. Learn how to make Authentic Oklahoma Fried onion burgers.

 fried onion burgers ready to eat.
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What is Oklahoma style burger?

You might be wondering what exactly is an Oklahoma burger? It is absolutely the best way to cook a burger and so easy.

To make this style burger, simply shape the ground beef loosely into a ball. Then smash it directly on a hot grill and top with thinly sliced onions.

The key is a really hot griddle to perfecting these popular burgers.

Authentic Oklahoma Fried onion burgers

The meat is seasoned and then grilled to perfection. Each bite of the hamburger is juicy and tender.

The onions make all the difference.

How do you fry a hamburger with onions?

Start with 4 piles of thinly cut onions on the grill. Then place the hamburger patties that you shaped into balls directly on the onions.

Press the meat into the onions and let them cook. This results in the most flavorful burgers.

How to toast hamburger buns?

You can toast the buns directly on the griddle. No need to heat up the kitchen.

Simply butter them and place face down for about 2 minutes to warm them.

Ingredients for  fried onion burgers

Ingredients:

  • Ground Beef, 80/20
  • Large Yellow Onion, Thinly sliced
  • Garlic Salt
  • Pepper
  • American Cheese
  • Hamburger Buns
  • Butter, Melted

How to make Fried onion burgers

  • Make the patties. Divide the beef into 4 balls that are approximately 4 oz each. Place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.
  • Get the grill ready for the burgers. Preheat a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium high heat (approximately 400 degrees F).
  • Prepare the buns with butter. Butter the bottom buns and place them on the skillet over medium heat (or griddle) for 2 minutes to toast them and then set them aside while you prepare the beef.
Buns being buttered and placed on grill.
Buns placed on grill.
  • Cook the onions. Evenly place the sliced onions into 4 piles on the griddle (or skillet). Place the beef on top of each onion pile. Then top each one with a piece on parchment paper.

    Firmly press down to smash the beef into a thin patty with either a burger press or a large spatula and then discard the parchment paper. Season with the patties with garlic salt and the pepper.
Sliced onions on a cutting board.
Onions on burgers being grilled.
  • Continue to cook the burgers. Cook the burger patty for 2-4 minutes until the juices in the beef start to raise to the top and the color starts to change. Then scrape under the patty to get under all the onions and flip the patty.

    Once you have flipped the burgers, smash down each patty again with the burger press or spatula so that the juices from the patties will drip down into the caramelized onions to give them the best flavor. Cook for 1 more minute.
Burger press on burgers.
Burgers being pressed down.
  • Add the cheese. Then place a slice of cheese on each of the patties to melt.
Cheese topped burgers on grill.
  • Assemble the burgers. Carefully remove the patties from the griddle once the cheese is melted and place a bun on top.
  • Serve and enjoy. The fried onions burgers are ready to enjoy!
Onions on burgers and buns beside it.

Tips:

  • When preparing the balls with the beef, do not pack them together. Loosely roll them into balls so that they are easier to smash.
  • You can use 90/10 or 93/7 for this recipe to lower the fat content in this recipe, but we think that the 80/20 gives the best flavor to this recipe.

What to serve with fried onions?

Do I have to use yellow onions?

No, you can also use white onions. Just make sure they are very thinly sliced.

 fried onion burger ready to enjoy.

How to store:

The burgers should be stored inside an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep up to 3 to 5 days.

Can I free fried onion burgers

Yes, these cooked patties freeze well. Place inside a freezer bag or container with parchment paper in between each burger.

When ready to enjoy, allow to thaw in the fridge. These burgers can be frozen up to 3 months.

 fried onion burger ready to enjoy.
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Fried Onion Burger

5 from 5 votes
Fried onion burgers will be the hit of the cookout. These smashed burgers are grilled to perfection and topped with grilled onions and cheese. Learn how to make Authentic Oklahoma Fried onion burgers.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 490

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Divide the beef into 4 balls that are approximately 4 oz each. Place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.
  • Preheat a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium high heat (approximately 400 degrees F).
  • Butter the buns and place them on the griddle (or skillet) for 2 minutes to toast them and then set them aside while you prepare the beef.
  • Evenly place the sliced onions into 4 piles on the griddle (or skillet). Place the beef on top of each onion pile. Then top each one with a piece on parchment paper and then firmly press down to smash the beef into a thin patty with either a burger press or a large spatula and then discard the parchment paper. Season with the patties with garlic salt and the pepper.
  • Cook the patties for 2-4 minutes until the juices in the beef start to raise to the top and the color starts to change. Then scrape under the patty to get under all the onions and flip the patty. Once flipped, smash down each patty again with the burger press or spatula so that the juices from the patties will drip down into the onions to give them the best flavor. Cook for 1 more minute. Then place a piece of cheese on each of the patties to melt.
  • Then it’s time to assemble your burgers. Carefully remove the patties from the griddle once the cheese is melted and place them on the buttered buns.
  • Then the fried onions burgers are ready to enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

*When preparing the balls with the beef, do not pack them together. Loosely roll them into balls so that they are easier to smash.
*You can use 90/10 or 93/7 for this recipe to lower the fat content in this recipe, but we think that the 80/20 gives the best flavor to this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 490kcal, Carbohydrates 20g, Protein 26g, Fat 33g, Saturated Fat 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 12g, Trans Fat 2g, Cholesterol 109mg, Sodium 741mg, Potassium 378mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 4g, Vitamin A 288IU, Vitamin C 2mg, Calcium 273mg, Iron 3mg

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Fried onion burgers will be the hit of the cookout. These smashed burgers are cooked to perfection and topped with grilled onions. These Southern Fried Onion Burgers are easy to make at home with this recipe! #eatingonadime #burgerrecipes #grillingrecipes #blackstonerecipes

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Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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