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Oklahoma Onion Burgers

Featured in: Family-Friendly Dinners Everyone Will Love

These well-known Oklahoma-style onion burgers pack tons of taste! Thin smashed beef patties with heaps of golden onions and melting cheese deliver bold flavor in every bite.

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Updated on Sun, 27 Apr 2025 16:20:15 GMT
A hamburger close-up featuring caramelized onion topping alongside crispy fries. Pin it
A hamburger close-up featuring caramelized onion topping alongside crispy fries. | cookingkitchn.com
    Gotta tell you about these knockout Oklahoma onion burgers that'll flip your whole idea of what a burger should be! We're not talking regular patties here - these babies have whisper-thin onions crushed right into the meat where they turn all sweet and crunchy. Picked up this trick from a veteran short-order cook and now my crew refuses burgers done any other way!

What Makes These Special

    These patties have roots in the Depression era when folks needed to stretch their meat dollar further. But that's not why you'll go crazy for them - it's those crunchy candy-like onions melding with succulent beef under a blanket of melted cheese. And they're on your table in half an hour - just right when life gets hectic!

Grab These Items

  • Quality Ground Beef: Aim for 85% lean for the right juiciness.
  • Vidalia Onions: Cut them impossibly thin as they're the main attraction.
  • American Cheese: The champion of burger-topping meltability.
  • Potato Buns: Tender with a hint of sweetness - the perfect match.
  • Old Standbys: Yellow mustard and crunchy dill pickles for that authentic touch.

Time To Cook

Set Up Everything
Heat your griddle until it's sizzling and slice those onions thinner than paper - a mandolin comes in handy for this job.
Shape The Meat
Create loose beef balls without squeezing them too hard so they stay moist!
Do The Smash
Toss those meat balls onto the smoking hot surface flatten them with your spatula and immediately cover with a heap of sliced onions.
Wait For Transformation
Leave them alone! The onions need time to turn golden and sweet about 3 minutes.
Flip Carefully
Work your spatula underneath completely flip everything onions and all in one motion.
Warm Those Buns
Place your buns on top as the other side cooks lay on the cheese so it starts oozing.
Assemble Everything
Put it all together with mustard pickles or your favorite toppings and eat while everything's still hot!

Nailing Every Detail

    Invest in a sturdy flat spatula for proper smashing. Don't handle the beef too much or it'll get tough. Remember those onions must be practically see-through that's what makes this work. And never skip steaming your buns it totally transforms the texture!
A close-up of a juicy burger with grilled onions on a toasted bun, set on a wooden board. Pin it
A close-up of a juicy burger with grilled onions on a toasted bun, set on a wooden board. | cookingkitchn.com

Perfect Sidekick Dishes

    Whip up some golden fries maybe sprinkle them with parmesan and truffle oil to get fancy. More onions? Definitely go for onion rings! Need something to balance all that richness? A fresh coleslaw does the trick. And why not go all in with a thick milkshake alongside!

The Story Behind Them

    These patties were born when folks stretched scarce beef with cheap abundant onions during hard times. It's amazing how necessity often creates the tastiest food. Today they're beloved across Oklahoma and way beyond proving that when food hits the spot it doesn't matter where it started!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the deal with thin-slicing onions?
It makes them cook faster and blend nicely into the burger.
→ Why’s American cheese the go-to?
It melts better than most cheeses for the desired texture.
→ Can I prep these in advance?
Yes, the patties freeze well for up to three months.
→ How does bun steaming help?
It keeps buns soft and warm so they don’t overpower the patty.
→ Which onions make the cut?
Stick with yellow or white—they caramelize perfectly!

Oklahoma Onion Burgers

Savory smashed burgers with sweet caramelized onions and gooey cheese, a Midwest classic loved by all.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Sophia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 4 potato buns.
02 4 slices of American cheese.
03 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
04 1 tablespoon of canola oil.
05 2 medium onions, cut very thin.
06 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
07 1 pound of ground beef.
08 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt.

Instructions

Step 01

Using a sharp knife or a slicer, cut onions as thin as possible and try to keep them uniform for even cooking.

Step 02

Split the ground beef into four pieces, each weighing 4 ounces, then gently shape them into loose balls.

Step 03

Place a large cast iron pan or griddle on medium-high heat and let it warm up really well—takes about 2 minutes.

Step 04

Drizzle canola oil onto the heated pan and spread it out so it evenly coats the surface.

Step 05

Pop the balls of beef onto the hot pan and firmly press down with a spatula to make very thin patties.

Step 06

As soon as the patties are flattened, sprinkle them with a mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 07

Pile about 1/2 cup of those sliced onions on top of each patty, letting some spill onto the pan.

Step 08

Leave the patties alone for 2 minutes so they form a nice, dark crust at the bottom.

Step 09

Carefully flip each patty, scraping up any crunchy bits, and press them back on top of the burgers.

Step 10

Put the buns, cut side facing down, directly on the patties to steam for a minute.

Step 11

Take the buns off and lay the cheese slices on top of the patties as they finish cooking.

Step 12

Move the patties to your buns once the cheese has fully melted and the meat's cooked how you want it.

Step 13

Scoop up the rest of the onions from the pan and pile them onto the burgers before serving.

Step 14

Eat while everything's still warm and gooey from the cheese.

Step 15

If you want, toss on some condiments, but usually, these are served plain to let the onion taste stand out.

Notes

  1. Found in specific regions.
  2. Uses simple, basic ingredients.
  3. Quick and easy to prepare.
  4. Time-tested cooking style.

Tools You'll Need

  • Heavy cast iron pan or griddle.
  • Strong, sturdy spatula.
  • Very sharp knife or mandolin slicer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from cheese.
  • Buns include wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 549
  • Total Fat: 34 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Protein: 32 g