Cowboy Burger with Crispy Onion Straws & Grilled Pickles
Smoky, spiced ground beef patties topped with melted cheddar, charred pickle slices, and golden fried onion straws, all served on toasted Kaiser rolls with tangy BBQ mayo and fresh lettuce. The crispy onion texture and grilled pickle char distinguish this from standard burgers, bringing a Texas-style attitude to backyard cookouts and casual summer dinners. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Stubbs Original Bar-B-Q Sauce
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper, ground
- 1 medium onion, very thinly sliced and separated into rings
- vegetable oil for frying
- 4 tsp Smoky Montreal Steak Seasoning
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp brown sugar, packed
- 1 ¼ pound ground beef
- 4 slice mild cheddar cheese
- 1 medium dill pickle, sliced lengthwise 1/4-inch thick
- 4 whole Kaiser rollsbrioche buns or sesame buns1:1grain
texture preference
- 4 leaf lettuce
Instructions
- 1
Mix mayonnaise and BBQ sauce; refrigerate until serving.
- 2
Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a resealable bag. Add onion rings and toss to coat evenly.
- 3
Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy skillet to medium-high. Carefully fry coated onion rings for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- 4
Blend Smoky Montreal Steak Seasoning, chili powder, and brown sugar in a bowl.
- 5
Shape ground beef into 4 patties and coat all surfaces evenly with the spice rub.
- 6
Grill patties over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through. Top with cheese 1 minute before patties finish.
- 7
Grill pickle slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side until grill marks appear.
- 8
Toast Kaiser rolls on the grill, open-side down, about 30 seconds if desired.
- 9
Assemble burgers on toasted rolls with grilled pickles, onion straws, lettuce, and BBQ mayo.
Tips
Coat onion rings thoroughly and fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature and prevent sticking together.
Form patties with a gentle touch and make a shallow indent in the center to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.
Toast rolls just before serving to provide structural support for juicy burgers and crispy toppings.
Good to Know
Cooked burger patties keep refrigerated up to 3 days. Fried onion straws best consumed same day; store in airtight container. BBQ mayo stores 1 week refrigerated.
Prepare BBQ mayo up to 2 days ahead. Fry onion straws up to 4 hours ahead and reheat briefly in a 350F oven to re-crisp. Season and shape patties up to 8 hours ahead; keep covered and chilled.
Serve immediately after grilling while burgers are warm, pickles are charred, and onion straws are crisp. Pair with cold beverages, fries, or coleslaw for a complete cookout meal.
Common Mistakes
Do not overmix ground beef to avoid dense, tough patties.
Do not skip the spice rub coating step to avoid bland burgers.
Do not fry onions at too high a temperature to avoid burning before they crisp.
Do not grill cheese too early to avoid melting off before assembly.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
texture preference
FAQ
Can I prepare the burgers ahead of time?
Yes. Season and shape patties up to 8 hours in advance, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Grill from chilled for more even cooking and better crust formation.
What if I don't have a grill?
Cook patties in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 4 to 6 minutes per side. Pan-fry pickle slices in the same skillet 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden. Toast rolls in a separate skillet.
How long do fried onion straws stay crispy?
Best consumed same day, but store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 hours. Reheat in a 350F oven for 2 to 3 minutes to restore crispness before serving.