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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

The theme for this week is Bodacious Burgers! 

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• Meatloaf Burgers by A Day in the Life on the Farm
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• Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers by Karen's Kitchen Stories
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Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers

If you make these burgers, be sure to post them on Instagram and tag @KarensKitchenStories 

Oklahoma Fried Onion Short Rib Burgers

Yield: 4 servings

Author: Karen Kerr

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. 

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2019/07/oklahoma-fried-onion-short-rib-burgers.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

burgers, fried onions

Burgers

American, Oklahomaa

Created using The Recipes Generator

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

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