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Jul 21, 2019

Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers

Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers are created by smashing the ground beef into a mound of thinly sliced onions to create a burger infused with the flavors of crispy caramelized onions.

Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers

Evidently, fried onion burgers were invented in Oklahoma during the depression because beef was expensive and onions were cheap. They are kind of like a Smashburger, because you press the meat onto the onions and deeply brown both on a hot skillet.

The onions end up caramelized, and the beef is infused with the sweet flavor of the onions. You can use any kind of onion you like. The trick is to slice them as thinly as possible so that they will cook as quickly as the burger.

Typically, Oklahoma burgers are made with 85 percent lean ground beef. In this case, I decided to try making my own ground beef out of boneless short ribs just because I love the flavor of short ribs, and I wanted to make a bodacious burger.

Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers with cheese

How do you make an Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burger?


First, if you want to grind your own short ribs for these burgers, you will need to cut the beef into 1/2 inch cubes and freeze them in a single layer for about 30 minutes so the beef will be easy to grind in your food processor

Cubed short ribs

Next, grind the beef in batches in the food processor with the metal blade, and then pick out any gristle that remains. You can also make a blend of ground short ribs and 85 percent lean ground beef (or just use ground beef). Form the meat into balls. 

While the meat is in the freezer, thinly slice a large onion (if you have a mandoline slicer, it would be great to use it for this recipe), salt them and let them drain for 30 minutes. Next, place them into mounds on a baking sheet. 

Onions for Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers

Place the beef rounds on top of the onions and press down to create patties with the onions sticking to the beef. Heat a large nonstick skillet with butter in it over medium heat, and transfer the beef and onions to the pan, onion side down. 

You will cook the burger and onions on the first side for about 6 to 8 minutes, until the onions and beef are a deep golden brown color. Next, flip the burgers and onions and cook the burgers over high heat for 2 to 3 minute. Place the burger, onion side up, on a toasted bun with American cheese. The cheese will melt from the heat of the burger. 

Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burger


You can serve these burgers with all of your favorite toppings. I served mine with dill pickles, mustard, and a homemade 1000 Island extra peppery burger dressing.



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Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers

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Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers


Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers


Yield: 4 servings
Author:
Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers are created by smashing the ground beef into a mound of thinly sliced onions to create a burger infused with the flavors of crispy caramelized onions.

ingredients:

For the Ground Beef
  • You can either use 3/4 pound of 85 percent lean ground beef, or 1 pound of boneless short ribs. 
  • Salt
  • Pepper
For the Burger Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Fried Onion Burgers
  • 1 large onion, thinly (1/8 inch) sliced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 12 ounces ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 4 toasted hamburger buns
  • Mustard
  • Dill pickle slices
  • Burger Sauce

instructions:

How to cook Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers

To make the Burger Sauce
  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use. 
To Make the Ground Short Ribs
  1. Cut the short ribs into 1/2 inch cubes and spread them out onto a quarter sheet pan. 
  2. Place the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes. 
  3. Pulse 1/2 of the beef in a food processor with the metal blade. Repeat with the other half. 
  4. Pick through the ground meat to remove any gristle and long strands. 
  5. Salt and pepper the beef and form it into four balls. 
To Make the Fried Onion Burgers
  1. Toss the onion slices with a teaspoon of salt and place them in a colander. Let sit to drain for 30 minutes. 
  2. Transfer the onions to a clean dish towel, roll them up in the towel, and squeeze to remove as much moisture as possible. 
  3. Place the onions on a sheet pan in four mounds and sprinkle with pepper. 
  4. Place the beef balls on top of the onions and press down to form four-inch patties. 
  5. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the butter and vegetable oil. 
  6. Using a spatular, place the patties, onion side down, onto the pan, and cook undisturbed for 6 to 8 minutes, until the onions are brown and beginning to crisp around the edges. 
  7. Increase the heat to high and flip the burgers over to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. 
  8. Place a slice of American cheese on each bottom bun, and transfer the burgers, onion side up, to the buns. Top with the burger sauce, mustard, and pickles. 
  9. You can add lettuce and tomato if you prefer. 
  10. Serve. 
burgers, fried onions
Burgers
American, Oklahomaa
Created using The Recipes Generator

This recipe was inspired by Cook's Country Magazine and Serious Eats

More Bodacious Burger Recipes:


Would you like to comment?

  1. I love that you grind your own meat. It isn't hard to do and when there is a good price on top round but not on ground beef I have been known to do it so I have options. I would love the grilled onions pressed into the patty as well.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! I finally learned how easy it is to do just recently.

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  2. Short rib burgers sound amazing and I can't wait to try that burger sauce!

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  3. Looks so amazing! We had burgers for lunch because of all the burgers I saw this morning!

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  4. We had a restaurant near our house when I was growing up that served burgers like these. I LOVED them. I can't wait to try your recipe. I always grind my meat using my kitchen aid attachment with great results.

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    Replies
    1. I need to get one of those attachments for my KitchenAid. Something I don't own yet!

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  5. Major fan of onions, and I know I'd love this burger, hmmmm, I'm thinking of it for dinner sometime this week. I love grinding my own beef as well from time to time.

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  6. Oh my goodness this burger sounds amazing!!! There is a place in my area that makes the onions similar and they are amazing!

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  7. My mouth is watering reading this recipe! Can't wait to try them. : )

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  8. This looks so delicious. I've been toying with doing some meat grinding--and those onions!

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  9. Those onions that burger and cheese! They all sound divine. I can't wait to try it.

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