Oklahoma-style Onion Burgers

memory lane

I love these burgers. My family didn’t have a lot of cash when I was growing up in a small town in Oklahoma, so we did the best we could. Eating out occasionally was a REAL treat. Here’s my take on how I recreated one of my favorite burgers from my home state. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• Cooking oil (or bacon grease); enough to coat a heavy skillet (use a small skillet for 1 or 2 patties, large for more)
• Ground beef, divided into however many patties you’re cooking
• Seasoned salt and coarse ground black pepper (enough to sprinkle on both sides of each patty; more or less to taste)
• White or yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup sliced onions per patty)
• 2 slices American Cheese (or your favorite variety of cheese) per burger patty; Note: American cheese melts a bit better, but other soft cheeses will net you the same results (e.g., Provolone, Muenster, etc.)
• 2 slices of soft white bread (or soft hamburger buns); wheat bread will work as long as it’s soft (e.g., butter-topped wheat, etc.)
• Optional toppings: mustard, mayo, ketchup, pickles, jalapenos, or any other burger topping you like; I prefer spicy mustard and top the burger with my Cowboy Sweet Hots!

Instructions:

1. Grease a heavy skillet with a paper towel. Heat over medium-high heat, until lightly smoking (I use the #5 setting on my stove).
2. Form your patties of ground beef into squares (big enough to cover the bread slices). Using your finger, poke a hole through the center of the square.
3. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
4. Add to the smoking hot skillet and press down with the back side of a (firm) spatula until completely flattened and meat starts sizzling.
5. Cook 1-2 minutes and check to see if a brown crunchy crust has formed before flipping over.
6. As soon as you flip your burger(s), spread the sliced onions evenly over the cooking burger(s). Cover with a lid and cook until the bottom side of the burger(s) is also well browned, about 2 minutes.
7. Flip the burgers, making sure to pick up all browned meat from the skillet (onions will now be on the bottom).
8. Let cook until onions start to soften, about 1 minute, and flip again.
9. Cover and turn off the heat. Cook another minute or so, or until the onions are caramelized and tender.
10. Place cheese (and any additional condiment you like) on the slices of bread. Top with the burger, onions, and any additional toppings you prefer. Repeat with additional burgers you prepare.
11. The result? A “dripping down your arms” juicy burger with sweet, caramelized onions!!
12. Serve hot (immediately) and enjoy!