Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger is easy, juicy and delicious to make. The key to this Fried Burger is the thinly sliced grilled onions. Combined with the ground beef makes a perfectly cooked burger.

Close up image of hamburger with grilled onions.
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The Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger is know for one of the best American burgers. The thin patty is grilled and the fried with grilled onions. As the meat and onions cook together the meat juice cover the onions for an amazing patty.

These Fried Onion Burgers are easy to grill and simple ingredients. We love cooking these on our Blackstone Griddle.

This Onion Burger was easy to re-create and now we can have them any day of the week. For a twist on this delicious burger, make this Juicy Lucy Burger, Jack Daniels Burger or Bacon Blue Cheese Burger.

What is an Onion Burger?

An onion burger is a juicy burger with onion. It was created during the Depression Era. Because Onions were cheap they were smashed into a burger to make the meat go further. They were called Depression burgers.

What is an Oklahoma Burger?

A finely ground burger patty that is smashed on a griddle. It is topped with thinly sliced onions then cheese to make the ultimate onion burger that taste amazing.

Where did the Fried Onion Burger Come From?

The Onion Burger was invented by Ross Davis in the 1920’s at the Hamburger Inn in Ardmore, OK. During the Depression Era, onions were cheap and hamburger meat was expensive.

Ingredients

Ingredients needed - ground beef, yellow onion, garlic salt, pepper, cheese, buns, butter
  • Lean Ground Beef
  • Large Yellow Onion
  • Garlic Salt or Garlic Powder
  • Black Pepper
  • American Cheese
  • Hamburger Buns
  • Butter

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variation Ideas

  • Onion – Use white onion instead of yellow onion.
  • Bacon – Top the burger with Bacon.
  • Change the Meat – Use a different meat like venison or ground turkey.
  • Cheese – Change the cheese to cheddar cheese or Monterrey jack cheese.
  • Toppings – This burger is even better with your favorite toppings. Add ketchup, mayonnaise, pickles, lettuce and slice tomatoes.

How to Make Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

Ground Beef balls on a platter

Step 1 – Prepare the Hamburger Balls – Divide the beef into 4 balls that are approximately 4 oz each. Place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.

Buttering buns to place on the griddle

Step 2 – Prepare your Griddle – Preheat a griddle Blackstone grill over medium high heat (approximately 400 degrees F). Place butter buns on hot griddle. Then set aside.

Chopped onions on a cutting board

Step 3 – Prepare the Onions then evenly place the sliced onions into 4 piles on the griddle.

Pressing the patties on the griddle with a burger press

Step 4 – Add the Beef to the onions – Place the beef balls on top of each onion pile. Then top each one with a piece on parchment paper and then firmly press down to smash the beef into a thin patty with either a burger press or a large spatula and then discard the parchment paper.

Smashing the patties with chopped onions

Step 5 – Cook the patties for 2-4 minutes until the juices in the beef start to raise to the top and the color starts to change. Then scrape under the patty to get under all the onions and carefully flip the patty.

Patties topped with slice cheese on th griddle

Step 6 – Add the Cheese –Then place a slice of cheese on each of the patties to melt.

  • Step 7 – Make your burgers – Then it’s time to assemble your burgers.
  • Step 8 – Carefully remove the patties from the griddle once the cheese is melted and place the bun on top of hamburger. Top with your bottom bun with your favorite burger sauce.
  • Step 9 – Serve and Enjoy – Then the fried caramelized onions burgers are ready to enjoy!

Onion Burger Tips

  • When preparing the balls with the beef, do not pack them together. Loosely roll them into balls so that they are easier to smash.
  • You can use 90/10 or 93/7 for this recipe to lower the fat content in this recipe, but we think that the 80/20 gives the best flavor to this recipe.
  • Oil – Use Vegetable oil to prepare the griddle.
Open faxed hamburger patties with grilled onions on a cutting board.

Tools You Need

What to Serve with Burgers

These burgers are best served with your favorite grilled side dishes. But these are some of our other favorites.

Make sure to also top your burger with this Smash Burger Sauce.

Close up image of Smash Burger with grilled onions on a white plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of Onions goes on Onion Burgers?

The best onions to use for this recipe is yellow onions or white onions.

How do you Cut Onions for Onion Burgers?

Start with a sharp knife and a cutting board. Then cut onion in half. Then cut the ends off the onion, then peel the skin off of the oven. Cut the onion into half moons about ⅜ inch thick and pull apart the onions into pieces.

Can I Make On Stovetop?

Yes, you can make on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. This skillet is best because it provides the same texture as cooking on the Blackstone Griddle.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It is best to store the burgers separately from the buns and toppings so it doesn’t get soggy.

More Blackstone Burger Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make this fried onion burger recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers

5 from 44 votes
Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger is easy, juicy and delicious to make. Combined with the thinly sliced onions make this a perfect burger.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 523

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Divide the beef into 4 balls that are approximately 4 oz each. Place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.
  • Preheat a Blackstone grill over medium high heat (approximately 400 degrees F).
  • Butter the buns and place them on the griddle for 2 minutes to toast them and then set them aside while you prepare the beef.
  • Evenly place the sliced onions into 4 piles on the griddle. Place the beef on top of each onion pile. Then top each one with a piece on parchment paper and then firmly press down to smash the beef into a thin patty with either a burger press or a large spatula and then discard the parchment paper. Season with the patties with garlic salt and the pepper.
  • Cook the patties for 2-4 minutes until the juices in the beef start to raise to the top and the color starts to change. Then scrape under the patty to get under all the onions and flip the patty. Once flipped, smash down each patty again with the burger press or spatula so that the juices from the patties will drip down into the onions to give them the best flavor. Cook for 1 more minute. Then place a piece of cheese on each of the patties to melt.
  • Then it’s time to assemble your burgers. Carefully remove the patties from the griddle once the cheese is melted and place them on the buttered buns.
  • Then the fried onions burgers are ready to enjoy!

Recipe Video

YouTube video

Recipe Notes

When preparing the balls with the beef, do not pack them together. Loosely roll them into balls so that they are easier to smash.
You can use 90/10 or 93/7 for this recipe to lower the fat content in this recipe, but we think that the 80/20 gives the best flavor to this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 523kcal, Carbohydrates 25g, Protein 28g, Fat 34g, Saturated Fat 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 13g, Trans Fat 2g, Cholesterol 109mg, Sodium 954mg, Potassium 431mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 5g, Vitamin A 288IU, Vitamin C 3mg, Calcium 310mg, Iron 4mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Grill on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. From the Best Blackstone recipes, to grilling, and easy smoker recipes, together we are going to cook real food, with easy ingredients… for real families!

5 from 44 votes (44 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. vicky says:

    I was with you until you flipped the burgers and said to once again flatten burger so it would drip into onions. Aren’t onions now on top? How can juice drip down into onions?

  2. Carrie says:

    I will fixe that. That is a mistake. You still flip and push down, but the juice will soak into the onions more as it is cooking.