Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

close up shot of a Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger with French fries on a plate

This Oklahoma onion burger recipe features a juicy burger patty and golden caramelized onions combined to create a taste sensation topped with a secret burger sauce and melty cheese.

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Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Total Time40

Servings

The Oklahoma onion burger is one of America’s best regional burgers, made from a hamburger patty with a whole lot of sliced onions smashed into the meat. As it cooks, the golden caramelized onions infuse into the meat, and the meat juices coat the onions to create one amazing thin patty of delicious flavor!

close up shot of a Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger on a plate

Oklahoma Burger Ingredients

Simple ingredients and a hot griddle are all you’ll need to make an irresistible juicy burger! Also known as depression burgers or smash burgers, this classic diner fare is mouthwatering no matter the name.

You’ll need:

For The Hamburger:

½ tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, sliced into thin-cut half-moon shapes
1 pound of lean ground beef
Hamburger buns
Sliced American cheese
Salt and pepper
Cooked bacon, optional
Pickle chips, optional

For The Secret Burger Sauce:

¼ cup of mayonnaise
⅛ cup of ketchup
¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon of ground red pepper
⅛ teaspoon of kosher salt
¼ teaspoon of yellow mustard
½ teaspoon of dill pickle juice
⅛ teaspoon of ground black pepper

Best Type of Onion for Delicious Burgers

WHITE ONIONS: With a strong onion flavor and crunchy texture, white onions are the perfect choice for the best burgers.

YELLOW ONIONS: With a more mild flavor and softer texture, yellow onions are a great choice for these juicy burgers as well.

VIDALIA ONIONS: This type of large onion has a sweeter flavor due to its higher sugar content. It’s considered one of the most mild onion flavors.

Onion Burger Recipe Substitutions and Additions

GROUND BEEF: Other ground meats such as lamb or venison could be used instead of beef for these onion burgers if you prefer.

SLICED AMERICAN CHEESE: Don’t like American cheese? Try cheddar cheese slices instead.

BACON: Fried bacon goes well with almost all burgers, and the Oklahoma burger is no exception.

DILL PICKLES: Add a few dill pickles to the top of the burger for an extra tangy taste.

How to Make a Fried Onion Burger

STEP ONE: Make the burger sauce by whisking together all the secret burger sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.

sauce ingredients being whisked together in a bowl

STEP TWO: Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the vegetable oil and sliced onion. Stir.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

If you choose to mix the meat with your bare hands, I highly recommend using disposable gloves. That way, you reduce the risk of cross-contamination, and it’s a lot less messy.

STEP THREE: Divide the hamburger meat into four equal parts.

Roll each part into a ball and then use your hands to flatten it into a patty.

You could also use a burger press.

Season both sides of hamburger patties with salt and pepper.

PRO TIP:

Handle the meat as little as you possibly can. The more you work the meat, the tougher it will get.

beef balls flattened into burgers and seasoned on a plate

STEP FOUR: Place the hamburger patties directly on top of the onions in the hot nonstick skillet.

Apply pressure with your spatula to press the hamburgers and onions together.

raw burgers laid on top of cut onions on a skillet

STEP FIVE: Cook the burgers until browned on one side, then flip and cook until brown on the second side. Remove from the skillet.

burgers and cut onions being cooked in a skillet

STEP SIX: Build the burgers with the bottom bun, burger, onions, slice of American cheese, secret sauce, and finally, the top bun.

STEP SEVEN: Add the optional bacon and pickles if using them.

STEP EIGHT: Serve and enjoy!

What to Serve with Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

Enjoy this perfectly cooked burger with a side of home fries and grilled corn on the cob.

Our secret ingredient burger sauce makes the perfect addition to these fried onion burgers. It also tastes great as a dip for your fries.

Delicious Side Dish Recipes

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What to do with Leftover Onion Burger

IN THE FRIDGE: Oklahoma onion burger patties can be refrigerated and eaten up to 24 hours after cooking. Be sure to heat your burger thoroughly before placing it into a fresh bun.

IN THE FREEZER: Cooked Oklahoma onion beef patties freeze well, maintaining their flavor for up to three months. Wrap carefully in foil or Saran wrap, before placing them into an airtight container. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tips for reheating an Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger

You can reheat these fried onion burgers either in the microwave or on the stove top until warmed through.

ground beef patties on top of cut onions on a skillet

You’ll Love Oklahoma Style Fried Onion Burgers

Some of the most famous fried onion burgers come from Sid’s Diner in El Reno, Oklahoma. But before you jump in the car for an epic road trip, be sure to give this homemade Oklahoma onion burger recipe a try. We’re sure that you won’t be disappointed by these mouth-watering burgers!

Oklahoma Burger FAQs

Can I use different ground meat in this homemade burger recipe?

These Oklahoma-style onion burgers will work fine with any ground meat you have on hand.

Can I add other ingredients to the raw meat mixture?

You can add finely diced onions, bell peppers, grated cheese, or other ingredients to the meat mixture before frying.

Can I freeze the uncooked burgers?

You can freeze the uncooked burgers separated by waxed paper for up to three months. Thaw and throw them in the pan for an easy and quick meal.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger

5 from 4 votes

This Oklahoma onion burger recipe features a juicy burger patty and golden caramelized onions combined to create a taste sensation topped with a secret burger sauce and melty cheese.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

Hamburger

½ tablespoon vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, sliced into thin-cut half-moon shapes
1 pound ground beef
hamburger buns
American cheese, sliced
salt and pepper
bacon, cooked (optional)
pickle chips, optional

Burger Sauce

¼ cup mayonnaise
⅛ cup ketchup
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon ground red pepper
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon yellow mustard
½ teaspoon dill pickle juice
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine all secret ingredient burger sauce ingredients. Use a small whisk to combine. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add vegetable oil and onions. Stir to coat onions in oil.
Divide ground beef into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into a ball and then use your hands to flatten into a patty. Season both sides of hamburger patties with salt and pepper.
Place the hamburger patties directly on top of the onions. Push down with your spatula to press the hamburgers and onions together.
Let cook until browned on one side. Flip over and let cook until browned on the other side.
Remove the hamburger and onions from the skillet and place on the bottom buns.
Add a slice of American cheese, and spread the secret ingredient burger sauce on the top bun. Add the optional bacon and pickles if using them.
Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

If you choose to mix the meat with your bare hands, I highly recommend using disposable gloves. That way, you reduce the risk of cross-contamination, and it’s a lot less messy.
Handle the meat as little as you possibly can. The more you work the meat, the tougher it will get.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger