🍔 Oklahoma Smashed Onion Burger
The Oklahoma Smashed Onion Burger is a famous American diner-style burger where very thin onions are smashed into the beef patty while it cooks, creating crispy edges and sweet caramelized onion flavor. It started in Oklahoma during the 1920s–1930s when onions were added to stretch small amounts of beef.
🧾 Ingredients (4 burgers)
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1 large onion, very thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper
- 4 burger buns
- 4 slices American cheese
- Optional toppings: pickles, mustard, ketchup
👨🍳 Instructions
- Heat the pan
- Use a cast-iron skillet or griddle on medium-high heat.
- Prepare beef balls
- Divide ground beef into 4 loose balls (about 4 oz each).
- Add onions
- Place a small pile of thinly sliced onions directly on the hot skillet.
- Smash the burger
- Put the beef ball on top of the onions.
- Smash firmly with a spatula so the onions press into the meat.
- Season and cook
- Sprinkle salt and pepper.
- Cook about 2–3 minutes until crispy underneath.
- Flip and add cheese
- Flip the burger so onions are now on top.
- Add cheese and cook 1–2 more minutes.
- Toast buns & assemble
- Lightly toast buns.
- Place burger on bun and add toppings if desired.
🔥 Tips for the Best Onion Burger
- Slice onions paper-thin so they cook quickly.
- Use a very hot pan to get crispy edges.
- Don’t overwork the beef—loose balls make juicier burgers.
🍟 Great with: fries, potato wedges, or coleslaw.
If you want, I can also show you the original Oklahoma diner trick that makes these burgers incredibly crispy and juicy (most recipes online miss this step). 🍔
