Ingredients:
1 large onion, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon of butter
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
4-8 slices of American cheese
Mayo, mustard, and pickles for serving
4 hamburger buns, toasted
How to Make Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers:
Place the sliced onions in a bowl, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and toss to combine. Transfer the onions to a colander and let them sit for 30 minutes, tossing occasionally. Then, move the onions to a clean dish towel, gather the edges, and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Do this over the sink or a large bowl as the onions will release a significant amount of liquid.
Divide the onions into 4 separate mounds on a rimmed baking sheet. Shape the ground beef into 4 lightly packed balls and place them on top of the onion mounds. Press the beef firmly (using your palm) so the onions adhere to the beef. The patties should measure about 4 inches in diameter. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper.
In a 12-inch skillet, melt the butter with the oil over medium heat. Using a large spatula, transfer the patties to the skillet with the onion side down. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the onions become deep golden brown and start to crisp around the edges. Flip the burgers, then increase the heat to high and cook for about 2 more minutes until the second side is well browned.
Place 1 or 2 slices of cheese on each burger and let it melt. Add mayo, mustard, and pickles to the top buns, then assemble each burger by placing it on a bottom bun. Serve immediately.