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:
- Grease a heavy skillet with a paper towel. Heat over medium-high heat, until lightly smoking (I use the #5 setting on my stove).
- 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.
- Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Add to the smoking hot skillet and press down with the back side of a (firm) spatula until completely flattened and meat starts sizzling.
- Cook 1-2 minutes and check to see if a brown crunchy crust has formed before flipping over.
- 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.
- Flip the burgers, making sure to pick up all browned meat from the skillet (onions will now be on the bottom).
- Let cook until onions start to soften, about 1 minute, and flip again.
- Cover and turn off the heat. Cook another minute or so, or until the onions are caramelized and tender.
- 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.
- The result? A “dripping down your arms” juicy burger with sweet, caramelized onions!!
- Serve hot (immediately) and enjoy!
