Western Bacon Burgers with BBQ Mayo and Crispy Onion Strings

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Total Time 30 minutes

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Crispy, fried onion strings on top of this juicy beef patty, with bacon, avocado and barbecue sauce to create this delicious Western Bacon Burger!

a western bacon burger with bbq mayo and crispy onion strings on a metal plate with more burger toppings on the side.

The idea for this recipe came from my darling little sis-in-law. I asked if she’d had any amazing food lately and she told me about this super yummy burger she ordered from a restaurant in Las Vegas called the Steak n’ Shake. She said it was basically a western bacon cheeseburger except that it had thin, crispy fried onions on top.

top view of onion strings in a metal tin.
top view of a western bacon burger with bbq mayo and crispy onion strings on a metal plate with more toppings on the side.

I’d only tried western bacon burgers with the big fat onion rings but I always pulled them off and ate them separate from the burger cause it was too much of a mouthful for me. But thin crispy onion strings?? Genius. Life’s problems are solved!

At least one anyway.

a western bacon burger with bbq mayo and crispy onion strings on a metal plate with more toppings on the side and a bucket of onion strings faded in the background.

Oh baby. I could eat those onion strings all day long. And the next day. And the next day. Burger or not they’re crazy delish but since we’re talking about a burger recipe here, let’s include the beef shall we?

a western bacon burger with bbq mayo and crispy onion strings on a metal plate with a bucket of onion strings faded in the background.

These burgers might seem like a lot of work but I promise you they really are super easy. The crispy onions fry up in about 2 minutes and then you just grill the burgers and throw everything together. Easy as pie.

a hand grabbing a western bacon burger with bbq mayo and crispy onion strings from a metal plate.
Western Bacon Burgers with BBQ Mayo and Crispy Fried Onions
5 from 3 votes

Western Bacon Burgers with BBQ Mayo and Crispy Onion Strings

Crispy, fried onion strings on top of this juicy beef patty, with bacon, avocado and barbecue sauce!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ white onion
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • cup barbecue sauce
  • cup mayo
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • optional: lettuce and cheese

Instructions 

  • Thinly slice onion. (The slices should be thin enough that you should be able to see the knife through the end of the onion where you’re slicing). Place onion slices in a shallow dish and pour buttermilk over the onions. Move them around so they are all in the buttermilk, but they don’t have to be completely covered. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. (Use this time to cook your bacon or slice your avocados!)
  • In bowl combine flour, salt, garlic power, paprika, and cayenne pepper and wish until well mixed. Dip the onions in the flour mixture, tossing to coat. Put them all in a bowl.
  • Fill a pan with 1/2 inch of oil. Preheat oil to 300 degrees. Use tong to place coated onions in the hot oil. After about 30-40 seconds, turn them over once and cook another 30-40 seconds. Place fried onions on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  • Preheat grill. Shape ground beef into 4 equal sized patties. Grill burgers 4-5 minutes on each side until desired doneness is reached.
  • Whisk together mayo and bbq sauce. Spread some bbq mayo on the inner sides of hamburger buns. Top with grilled hamburgers, avocados, bacon, and fried onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

Flavor tip: top each patty with a slice of cheddar or pepperjack cheese, allow to melt, then assemble and serve burgers. 

Nutrition

Calories: 802kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 1136mg | Potassium: 870mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 399IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 254mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a star rating or comment below!

Onion strings adapted from Pioneer Woman.

Tiffany of Creme de la Crumb in the kitchen

Welcome!

Hey there, I’m Tiffany – chef, photographer, mother, and avid taco eater. I am passionate about turning simple flavors and ingredients into tasty meals the whole family will love, with minimal prep and cleanup so there’s more time to spend eating and enjoying. Stay awhile, and help yourself to a taco or two!

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12 Comments

  1. smokehouse fountain square says:

    Barbecue is among the most American food item. It has numerous regional variations, such as the Memphis sticky ribs and Central Texas smoked brisket, along with Kansas City’s burnt ends and the Carolinas vinegar and mustard-sauced meats. The iconic cuisine is more than you can imagine.