Oklahoma Smash Burgers (2024)

These Oklahoma Smash Burgers are thin burger patties smashed over sliced onions, topped with melty cheese. They’re super quick to prepare and cook up in minutes until the edges are crisp and the center remains juicy. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings for an easy lunch or dinner.

Quick & Easy Smash Burgers

Along with traditional beef burgers, White Castle burgers, Juicy Lucy burgers, and Turkey burgers, these Oklahoma onion smash burgers are another family fav.

Smash burgers (sometimes spelled smashburgers) are exactly what you expect – burgers that are smashed into a thin patty, typically on a griddle. The key is to smash the burgers before they start cooking, so you’re not smashing the juice out of them. More of the burger is exposed, which adds more flavor and a little browned crust forms adding texture but the center stays nice and juicy.

In this Oklahoma smash burger version, we’re adding onions to the bottom of the burger for even more flavor – though you could omit them for the onion-haters.

Why You’ll Love This Oklahoma Onion Burger Recipe

• Combination of two classic burgers. This recipe combines traditional Oklahoma onion burgers with classic smash burgers for one irresistible patty.
• Quick and easy. These burgers are made on a griddle, so they’re easy to make anytime, whether or not you have a grill. And since the patties are so thin, they cook up in just a few minutes.
• Crisp on the edges, juicy on the inside. One of the signatures of a good smash burger is the lightly crisp and browned bottom and yet still juicy on the inside and this recipe nails it.

Recipe Ingredients

This Oklahoma smash burger recipe is made with just 3 primary ingredients, plus a few seasonings and your favorite toppings.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Ground beef – I like to use ground beef with a decent fat content for juicy burgers, not super lean beef.
• Onion – Thinly sliced
• American cheese – I recommend deli slices, not the individually wrapped slices.
• Seasonings – Salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Hamburger buns
• Condiments & toppings – Add your favorite condiments and toppings like mustard, ketchup, pickles, lettuce, and tomato slices.

Easy Variations

Here are a few easy ways to customize your smash burgers.

• Change the meat base. You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef as a leaner option.
• Swap the cheese. While American cheese is traditional for its melting quality, you can substitute it with cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or any other meltable cheese you prefer.
• Use different buns. If hamburger buns aren’t available, you can use any soft roll, like brioche or potato rolls. For a low-carb option, lettuce wraps are a great substitute.
• Add more seasonings. Apart from salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, you could add onion powder, paprika, or a custom burger seasoning blend for extra flavor.

How To Make Smash Burgers

Homemade smash burgers are quick and easy to make. All you need is a frying pan or griddle.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

1. Toast the buns. Spray the griddle with nonstick spray and toast the buns over medium heat, if desired.
2. Smash the burgers. Divide the ground beef into 4 loosely gathered portions. Place a handful of sliced onions on the griddle and put a ball of ground beef on top. Use a sturdy spatula to smash the beef into 1/4 inch thick patties. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Cook. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the edges are crispy, then flip and cook for another minute. Add a slice of cheese to the patty and let it melt. Repeat the steps with the remaining burgers.
4. Assemble. Place the cooked patties on a toasted bun with your preferred condiments and toppings. Use two patties for a double burger.

Tips for Success

• Don’t have a griddle? A regular frying pan works. Ensure it’s hot enough for a good sear and the space is sufficient for smashing the burgers.
• Prevent the burgers from sticking to the spatula when smashing. Lightly oiling the spatula or using nonstick spray between the spatula and burger helps prevent sticking.
• Achieve thin, crispy edges on the burgers. Preheat your griddle or pan to a high temperature before cooking, and press the burgers thin for crisp edges.
• How do I know when the burgers are done cooking? They usually take 2-3 minutes per side. Check for a golden-brown crust and an internal temperature of 160°F.

What To Serve With Smash Burgers

Top your Oklahoma onion burgers with your favorite toppings and sides, like pickles, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mustard. For sides, you can’t go wrong with some classic French fries or coleslaw. Sweet potato fries, crispy smashed potatoes, potato salad, and macaroni salad are other great options.

Proper Storage

• Fridge. Oklahoma Smash Burgers are best when fresh, but if needed, store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store leftover buns separately at room temperature.
• Freezer. For longer storage, freeze them individually for up to 3 months.
• Reheat. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

More Burger Recipes To Try

• Chopped Cheeseburgers
• Turkey Burgers
• White Castle burgers
• Juicy Lucy burgers
• Ground Chicken Burgers
• Salmon Burgers

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!