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A legendary Oklahoma onion smashburger with caramelized onions and a crispy patty.

Classic Oklahoma Onion Smashburger

Experience the ultimate Classic Oklahoma Onion Smashburger, featuring thinly sliced onions pressed directly into the beef patties for an unparalleled caramelized flavor and crispy texture. This recipe delivers a juicy, savory burger with melted American cheese on a toasted bun, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 2 medium Yellow Onions very thinly sliced
  • 8 slices American Cheese Slices
  • 4 Burger Buns potato rolls or brioche
For Serving
  • Dill Pickle Slices To serve
  • Ketchup and Mustard For serving
Other
  • Vegetable Oil or Butter For the griddle
  • Salt To taste
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper To taste

Equipment

  • Large cast-iron skillet or griddle
  • Sturdy metal spatula

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Divide the ground beef into 8 loose balls and thinly slice the onions. Ensure cheese, buns, and condiments are ready and nearby.
  2. Preheat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat for at least 5 minutes until smoking hot. Add vegetable oil or butter to coat the surface.
Cooking the Smashburgers
  1. Place two beef balls on the hot griddle with space in between, then immediately place a generous mound of onions on top of each beef ball.
  2. Firmly smash each beef ball with onions to about 1/4-inch thickness using a sturdy metal spatula and a second spatula or press for leverage.
  3. Season the patties generously with salt and pepper, then cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until crispy, deep brown edges and softened, slightly charred onions.
  4. Scrape underneath the patties to preserve the crust, then flip them over and immediately place one slice of American cheese on each patty.
  5. While the patties cook, lightly butter or oil the cut side of the burger buns and toast them on the griddle until golden brown, about 1 minute.
Assembly and Serving
  1. Once the cheese is melted and the second side is cooked (1-2 minutes), stack two patties onto a toasted bun.
  2. Garnish with dill pickle slices, ketchup, and mustard as desired, then repeat the process for any remaining beef and onions.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider caramelizing a small batch of onions separately to add on top of the finished burgers. Ensure your griddle is very hot to achieve a good "smash" and crispy crust. Don't overcrowd the griddle; cook in batches if necessary.