Like Spongebob and Patrick, onion and beef are two best friends. That’s why these Oklahoma Onion Burgers work so well. The sweetness from the onion paired with a juicy, savory ground beef is just an unbeatable combination when you sink your teeth in and they’re ready in just 20 minutes.
About these Burgers
The history of these Onion Burgers date back to the depression when a few restaurants in Oklahoma started bulking up their burgers with a healthy amount of onions to make up for the lack of ground beef they were serving. Onions were much more affordable at the time and it turns out on a burger, they were mighty tasty too!
Whenever a restaurant menu has burger customization options, caramelized onions is the first thing I’m adding. The texture and sweetness paired with a juicy, savory burger is unbeatable.
But why keep this loaded flavor combination to restaurants only? I’m going to tell you how you can make the best Oklahoma Onion Burger right at home. Plus, we’re going to add a little kick with some fresh jalapeño.
Not looking for a whole Burger? You may also love these Mini Burger Skewers, too. Or if you want a deconstructed burger, try this Big Mac Casserole Recipe or this Burger Bowl Recipe. Or if you want to try another flavor, check out these Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers or these California Burgers, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Beef – Juicy ground beef makes for an incredibly flavorful burger.
- White Onion – It wouldn’t be an onion burger without some onion!
- Onion Seasoning – Brings out the onion flavor even further and coats the meat perfectly.
- Jalapeño – For a little bit of heat in the burger.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a bit of tang to the burger and brings out deep umami flavors.
- Toppings: Choose the burger toppings you love but here’s what I used
- Pepper Jack Cheese
- White Onion
- Burger Buns (I recommend a toasted Brioche Bun)
- Tomatoes
- Sliced pickles
- Mayo
- Shredded lettuce
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Finely dice the jalapeño and white onion. Then, in a mixing bowl, add ground beef, onion seasoning, diced jalapeño, white onion, and Worcestershire sauce
2. Mix ingredients until combined. Do not over mix as this will result in a tough burger.
3. Then, use your hands to form the burger mixture into 4 equally sized patties. You want your patties about ½ an inch thick. Heat a skillet to medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Sauté burgers for roughly 5 minutes on each side (or until burgers reach an internal temperature of at least 140°F.)
4. Two minutes prior to removing the burger patties from the heat, top each burger with a slice of cheese. Allow time for the cheese to melt onto the burger. If it isn’t melting, you can place a lid on top of the skillet to trap the heat and help the cheese get ooey-gooey quicker.
Remove the burgers from the skillet, add to a toasted bun and assemble with desired toppings. I like to add mayo, diced tomato, shredded lettuce with a brioche bun.
How to Caramelize Onions
A true Oklahoma Onion Burger sears the burger on top of a bed of caramelized onions instead of incorporating them in as I did in this recipe. Feel free to do this method as well!
To caramelize onions, heat a skillet to medium heat and add cooking spray or olive oil. Add diced onions and a pinch of salt or sugar to the skillet and sauté for 5-8 minutes until they turn a caramel-ly, translucent. Add more oil or water as needed to prevent the onions from sticking to the pan.
Serving suggestions
Hosting a barbecue? I’d make this fantastic Chickpea Salad, a pitcher of White Wine Sangria, and Cookie Dough Dip for dessert.
Recipe FAQs
Store Oklahoma Onion Patties it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. To reheat, place patties in the microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed throughout. Add bun and toppings after reheating.
Burgers can be frozen for up to 3 months raw or cooked. Individually wrap them and place in a freezer bag so they do not stick together. You could also slip a piece of parchment between each burger. When ready to enjoy, it’s better to thaw the burgers in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature.
Since we are incorporating the onions into the burger (instead of searing them on the skillet like a traditional Oklahoma Onion Burger) you can surely grill them. After forming the patties, grill at 500° for 4-6 minutes per side depending on desired doneness.
It’s not necessary – they will cook while the burgers are cooking and that allows them to caramelize and give more flavor to the entire burger.
Choose your favorites but here are a few of my suggestions:
– Veggies: Lettuce, tomato, fresh onion, pickles, avocado slices, chiles, coleslaw, mushrooms.
– Cheese: If you’re not a Pepper Jack fan try a slice of American, Swiss, Munster or Havarti instead. You could also change it up and use a spreadable cream cheese or soft goat slathered on top of your burger.
– Condiments: Ranch, mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, Chick-fil-A sauce, A1, or even some hot sauce.
– Extras: Bacon, fried egg, pineapple, pastrami, potato chips.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Oklahoma Onion Burger
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- spatula
- skillet
Ingredients
For the burger
- 1 lbs ground beef
- 1 packet onion seasoning, Lipton Recipe Secrets
- 1 tbsp jalapeño, diced
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup white onion, diced
- cooking spray
Toppings
- 4 burger buns, brioche
- 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 small white onion
- tomatoes
- sliced pickles
- shredded lettuce
- mayo
Instructions
- Finely dice the jalapeño and white onion.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together ground beef, onion seasoning, diced jalapeño, white onion, and Worcestershire sauce until combined.
- Then, use your hands to form the burger mixture into 4 equally sized patties. You want your patties about ½ an inch thick.
- Heat a skillet to medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Sauté burgers for roughly 5 minutes on each side (or until burgers reach an internal temperature of at least 140°F.)
- Two minutes prior to removing the burger patties from the heat, top each burger with a slice of cheese. Allow time for the cheese to melt onto the burger. If it isn’t melting, you can place a lid on top of the skillet to trap the heat and help the cheese get ooey gooey quicker.
- Remove the burgers from the skillet, add to a toasted bun and assemble with desired toppings. I like to add mayo, diced tomato, shredded lettuce with a brioche bun.
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find OKLAHOMA ONION BURGER calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Try this burger with Chick-fil-a sauce. My family was DROOLING.
Onion + burger = DREAMY BURGER!! Saved recipe FOR SURE!
Yes – I love these burgers. It amazes me how much flavor is added to basic beef to turn this into a flavor masterpiece!
Wonderful!
Are these macros for the bun included or only meat + toppings?
Hi Sarah! Macros are for one burger only. No bun or additional toppings
Gotcha! Thank you 😃