Oklahoma Onion Burger (Fred's Interpretation)

Oklahoma Onion Burger Origins

Legend has it that the burger was invented at the Hamburger Inn in El Reno, a 20-minute drive from Oklahoma City, in the 1920s in an effort to keep prices down. Adding onions to the patty meant that owner Ross Davis could use less meat in his five-cent burgers.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb 80 – 20 Ground Beef
  • 2 medium onions
  • 1 stick real Butter
  • 1 Tbs canola oil
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 4 onion roll buns
  • 8 slices American cheese

Beef Patty

  1.  In a large pan add one stick of butter and set burner to medium heat.
  2. While the butter is melting, slice the onions into 1/8 inch thick slices or thinner.  Then cut slices into 6 pie pieces per slice and add to pan with the melting butter.
  3. drizzle the canola oil over the onion / butter mixture.
  4. Stir the onion to completely coat the onions in the butter.
  5. Drizzle in 2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce.
  6. When the onions are translucent, place lid on pan for 5 minutes then remove lid and stir.
  7. Continue to stir every few minutes until onions are completely tender and caramelized.
  8.   Cover and remove from heat and allow to cool.
  9. In a large bowl add 1 lb ground beef and the entire contents of the onion/butter mixture.
  10. Using your hands, thoroughly mix the beef and caramelized onions.
  11. Form four patties from the beef / onion mixture.
  12. In a fry pan or on the BBQ, cook the patties to medium doneness, and add 2 slices American cheese per patty and allow to completely melt.
  13. Place the cooked patties on a slightly toasted onion roll with ketchup, mustard, and sliced dill pickles.
  14. Enjoy!

Notes:

  1. Watch the heat carefully when cooking the beef patty as the butter in the patty can easily burn. 
  2. This is a base burger so you can add all your favorites: bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos…….