In today’s video, I’m going to be showing you how to make one of my favorite burgers: the Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger. This recipe is simple, packed with flavor, and uses crispy fried onions to take a regular burger to the next level. Let’s dive into it!
Ingredients
- 73% ground beef (80% is fine too, but avoid 90% lean for a juicier burger)
- Onions (enough to cover the burger patty)
- Canola oil (for frying)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Cheese (optional, I used American cheese)
- Burger buns (optional, but highly recommended for the full burger experience!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients:
First, grab your ground beef (I’m using 73% lean here, which is perfect for juicy burgers) and form it into a ball. Don’t worry about making it too perfect—it’s going to be squashed down during cooking. Next, chop up your onions. You’ll need a good amount of onions to really get that fried onion flavor. - Preheat Your Cast Iron Skillet:
Get your cast iron skillet nice and hot. I like to preheat mine for about 5 to 10 minutes before I start cooking. This ensures the onions and meat get the perfect sear. - Fry the Onions:
While the skillet is heating up, take your onions and get them ready to go. Once your skillet is hot, add a little canola oil to the pan and toss in your ground beef balls. Let them cook for a minute or two before you move to the next step. - Smash and Squash:
Now comes the fun part! Take those freshly chopped onions and heap them right on top of the beef balls. Don’t be shy—get plenty of onions in there. Then, using a spatula or your press, smash the burger down into the onions. The key to the Oklahoma onion burger is that the onions actually cook into the beef patty. - Season:
Once you’ve got the burgers smashed down and cooking, season with a little sea salt and freshly ground pepper. The salt will help bring out the flavor in both the beef and the onions. - Let It Cook:
Let the burger cook for about 5 minutes. You want the bottom to be golden brown and crispy. Don’t be tempted to flip it early! If you do, you’ll lose that beautiful onion crust. - Flip and Cheese:
After 5 minutes, you should see that the edges are browned and crispy. Now it’s time to flip the burger. Make sure to do this carefully so you don’t lose any of those fried onions. After flipping, add a slice of cheese right on top to melt into that hot patty. Let it cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the burger is cooked through. - Assemble Your Burger:
Once your burger is cooked to perfection, remove it from the skillet and place it on a bun (if you’re using one). Let it rest for a minute so all the juices settle inside the burger. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Taste Test
The moment of truth! I cut into my Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger, and wow—it’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The crispy onions add such a great texture, and the beef is juicy and flavorful. The cheese just melts perfectly into the patty, and the combination of all these flavors is just unbeatable.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried an Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger, you absolutely need to give it a shot. It’s one of those simple yet incredibly tasty recipes that will have everyone asking for more. Plus, cooking it in a cast iron skillet really helps get that perfect crispiness.