Oklahoma Onion Burger

Video coming soon !

Time: 30 min | Difficulty: Medium

The Oklahoma Onion Burger is a delicious variation on the classic American burger. Its origins date back to the Great Depression in the 1930s, when meat was scarce and expensive. To stretch the meat, Oklahoma chefs added chopped onions, which caramelized during cooking, giving the burger a unique flavor.

Today, the Oklahoma Onion Burger is known for its intense onion flavor and juicy texture. The quality of the ground meat determines the taste of this burger, which consists primarily of four ingredients: a burger bun, beef, onions, and cheese. In the traditional version, there are no sauces, ketchup, or mayonnaise on the burger.

Preparation: 10 min | Cooking: 20 min

Get a lot out of it with little effort—that's exactly what you'll achieve with this recipe. Simply fantastic! – Prime Recipes

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Ingredients

For 2 servings

Nutritional values ​​per serving

approx. 815 kcal | 40.9 g carbohydrates | 53.8 g fat | 42.2 g protein

For the Onion Burger

2 burger buns

300 g ground beef with 20-25% fat

1 vegetable onion

2 slices of cheddar cheese / processed cheese

1 tbsp butter

Pinch of salt & black pepper

Preparation in 6 steps

1. Prepare the onions:

Use a mandoline to slice the onions into very fine rings – ideally 1-2 mm thick. This will ensure they caramelize perfectly on the grill.

2. Roast the onions & add the ground beef:

Preheat the griddle or pan to high heat. Arrange the onion rings on the onion rings and roast them for several minutes until they turn golden yellow – but not dark brown.

Divide the onion into two portions and place a 180g ball of ground beef directly onto each portion.

3. Smash & Season the Patties:

Using a burger smasher or a sturdy spatula, firmly press the beef onto the onions to ensure they combine perfectly.

Season the top of the patty with salt and pepper. Fry the onion side for 2-3 minutes until the onions are caramelized.

4. Toast the Burger Buns:

Meanwhile, add a little butter to a pan or platter. Cut open the burger buns and place them cut-side down in the melted butter. Briefly toast until golden brown.

5. Flip the Patties & Melt the Cheese:

Once the underside of the onion is golden brown, flip the patty. Now season the onion side with salt and pepper as well.

Fry the ground beef side for another 2-3 minutes, then place a slice of processed cheese on top and let it melt.

6. Assemble the burger:

In the classic version, lettuce, sauce, pickles, or tomatoes are omitted. Simply place the finished patty between the toasted bun halves and serve immediately.

💡 Save calories –

Total savings potential: 👉 Up to 150–250 kcal per serving if you:

• Use lean ground beef (max. 10–15% fat) instead of 20–25% fat

• Reduce the butter for frying to 1 teaspoon or replace it with oil spray

• Choose lighter or smaller buns if necessary (e.g., 60g instead of 80g per bun)

• Use only 1 slice of cheese or use light cheese

👉 This keeps the burger hearty and juicy, but significantly lower in fat and calories