Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

There are a few things that are quintessentially American: mom, apple pie, and the hamburger. These days, there are endless variations on the classic burger, with toppings ranging from avocado to fried egg. But in my opinion, nothing beats a good old-fashioned Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger.

This burger pairs the juiciness of a well-seasoned beef patty with the crunch of thinly sliced onions that have been fried to perfection. Add a slice of melty cheese and some zesty pickles, and you’ve got a burger that’s sure to satisfy.

With plenty of flavorful toppings, these burgers will quickly become a family favorite!

So next time you’re in the mood for a delicious burger, forget about the fancy toppings and give this classic recipe a try.

I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.

Scroll to Bottom for Printable Recipe Card.

Why do I love this homemade burger recipe?

• Juicy
• Flavorful
• Twist to a classic burger recipe
• Made with simple ingredients
• Easy to make

Where did the Fried Onion Burger Come From?

This is a fried onion burger that first originated in Oklahoma. This is a tried and truly delicious ground beef hamburger made with thin onions, butter, and cheddar cheese.

Give my Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes recipe a try for another hearty and comfort food-inspired dinner.

What kind of Onions goes on Onion Burgers?

Reach for yellow or white onions for this recipe. You will find purple onions do not work well with this as it will offer more of a bitter flavor.

What is the best way to slice onions?

Reach for a mandoline or shaver to get that thinly sliced onion that you need for this recipe. If your onions are too thick you will find they don’t cook down properly in the pan or on the griddle.

Check out this liver and onions for another onion-based recipe.

Should you cook onions before putting them in a burger?

You will place onions in the pan and then add the hamburger patty on top. You do not mix the hamburger and onions together and shape them into patties. They are placed in the pan separately.

This allows the onions to break down and cook and the patty will get nice and crispy and cooked all the way through. Otherwise, you will find the burger would have undercook onions if you mixed the meat with the onion together.

What to Serve with Burgers:

• Cucumber Salad
• Fried Pickles
• Melting Potatoes

How do you toast hamburger buns?

Add a little butter or place some oil in the pan. Then you will place the bun in the pan and let it get nice and toasted. Once it is toasty then you will remove the bun and assemble your hamburgers.

Tips

• Use an 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for a nice texture.
• Press a thumbprint in the center of the burgers, to help them from shrinking up in the skillet.
• The onions have to be thin or they will not cook properly.

Variations

• Use ground turkey or ground pork instead.
• Season the burgers differently.
• Leave off the cheese if you would like. Or swap with a different flavor of cheese.
• Skip serving on a bun.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Onion thinly sliced
• Butter unsalted
• Hamburger buns
• Cheddar cheese
• Additional toppings of your choosing

How to make Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers:

Step 1. Place 1 ½ lb. of ground beef into a mixing bowl, season it with ½ tsp of garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and mix with your hands to combine well.

Step 2. Add 2 tbsp of butter to a skillet over medium heat and place 5 piles of sliced onion into the skillet.

Step 3. Top each pile of onions with a ball of the meat mixture.

Step 4. Use a spatula to smoosh the meat mixture flat down on top of the onions.

Step 5. Continue to saute the meat onion side down until the onions have browned, about 6 minutes, then flip and continue to cook the burgers to your liking.

Step 6. Place a piece of cheddar cheese on the bottom of the buns, and add the burgers on top of the cheese.

Step 7. Add any additional topping if desired, and serve.

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 5

If you're looking for a delicious way to show your state pride, look no further than the Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger. This classic recipe is easy to make and sure to please even the most picky eaters. To start, you'll need to gather some basic ingredients: hamburger buns, ground beef, onions, and oil for frying.

4.32 from 22 votes

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

• 1 ½ lb. Ground beef
• ½ tsp. Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 Large onion thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp. Butter unsalted
• 5 Hamburger buns
• 5 Slices sharp cheddar cheese
• Additional toppings of your choosing

Follow Sweet Pea’s Kitchen

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email(Required)

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

NOTE: By saving this recipe, you agree to join our weekly recipes newsletter.

Instructions

• Place the meat into a mixing bowl, season it with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and mix with your hands to combine well.
• Add the butter to a skillet over medium heat and place 5 piles of sliced onion into the skillet.
• Top each pile of onions with a ball of the meat mixture.
• Use a spatula to smoosh the meat mixture flat down on top of the onions.
• Continue to saute the meat onion side down until the onions have browned, about 6 minutes, then flip and continue to cook the burgers to your liking.
• Place a piece of cheddar cheese on the bottom of the buns, and add the burgers on top of the cheese.
• Add any additional topping if desired, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 645kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 558mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g

Author: Laura

THANKS FOR PINING!

How to store and reheat Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers?

Store any burgers you do not eat right away, by storing them in the fridge. The burgers will store for 2-3 days in the fridge.

Reheat it in the microwave or warm it up in a skillet. If you opt to heat in a skillet add a little water to ensure the patty doesn’t dry out too much.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Go right ahead and prep the patties ahead of time and then store them in a container in the fridge. You can also slice your onions and store in a container or bag in the fridge.

Then when you are ready to cook heat up the skillet then add the items and cook the same way.

More good recipe ideas?

If you liked this recipe, make sure you check out these other delicious recipes, you are certain to love!

Meatballs and potatoes Soup – Looking for something on those nights that you don’t want to spend forever cooking? This meatball soup is hearty and happens to be reasonably easy to make, as well.

Guinness Shepherds Pie with Beef – I will never grow tired of eating shepherd’s pie! It has so many wonderful qualities and tastes so great it’s impossible not to beg for more.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes – You get SO many nutrients from sweet potatoes. They fill you up and keep you healthy too.

Easy Beef Stew – I tend to make and eat beef stew all year long. I know some people only eat stews in the winter, but I’m telling you it’s next to impossible to go without this stew once you try it.