OKLAHOMA FRIED ONION BURGERS

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 large white onion, halved and sliced as thin as possible
12 oz 80% lean ground beef
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
4 slices American cheese
4 brioche hamburger buns, buttered and lightly toasted
1/2 cup mayo
3 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons mustard
Salt, to taste
1/4 cup dill pickles, diced
1 shallot, diced
1 tablespoon pickle juice
Dash of hot sauce

Steps:

Using a paper towel, brush vegetable oil onto a large cast iron skillet or griddle. Heat over high heat until smoking lightly.
Form beef into four 3 oz balls. Press balls of beef down into skillet or griddle with an offset spatula, using the flat-edge of a second spatula to press the first spatula down until you can flatten meat no more. Season beef liberally with salt and pepper. (If using a skillet, work in batches and cook only 2 patties at a time.)
Working quickly, arrange onions evenly over patties and press down with spatula to embed onions in meat. Let cook undisturbed until burgers are well-browned, about 2 minutes.
Carefully flip burgers over so onions are now on the bottom and let cook until onions start to soften, about 1 minute.
Top with cheese and top bun. Place bottom bun upside-down on the top bun so it can steam in the onion flavor.
Once buns have softened, transfer bottom buns to a plate. Lift onions, burger, and top bun together and transfer to bottom bun. Serve with special sauce and enjoy!
To make special sauce, stir together all sauce ingredients and chill 30 minutes.