Crispy Onion Ring Burger with Bacon and Lemony Greens

There’s nothing quite like the crunch of a homemade onion ring, especially when it’s piled high on a juicy burger. This recipe takes your classic cheeseburger to the next level with crispy tempura-battered onion rings, smoky bacon, tangy pickles and a creamy special sauce. The pepper jack cheese adds a subtle kick that ties everything together beautifully.

To balance the richness, we’ve included a side of bright, lemony mixed greens. It’s the perfect accompaniment to cut through the savory flavors. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just treating yourself, this burger is sure to impress. Get ready to be the boss of your own kitchen!

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Ingredients

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fry SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Dill PickleView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Pepper Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit KetchupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

82 g Tempura Batter MixView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Dijon MustardView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce Mixed GreensView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and arrange bacon slices in a single layer. Bake until crispy, about 12-15 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
2. While bacon cooks, prepare the onion rings. Slice the onion into 1/2-inch thick rounds and separate into rings. In a bowl, whisk tempura batter mix with 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F. Dip onion rings into batter, letting excess drip off and fry in batches until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with fry seasoning while warm.
4. Form ground beef into two patties, slightly larger than the buns. Season generously with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cook in a skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side for medium. During the last minute, top each patty with pepper jack cheese and cover to melt.
5. Make the special sauce: in a small bowl, combine sour cream, ketchup, Dijon mustard and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Slice the pickle into rounds.
6. Toast the potato buns in the skillet or oven until lightly golden. Spread special sauce on the bottom bun, then add a cheesy patty, bacon slices, pickle rounds and a pile of crispy onion rings. Top with the other bun half.
7. Toss mixed greens with a squeeze of lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Serve alongside the burger.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of onion?

Yes, yellow or sweet onions work great. White onions will also work but may be slightly sharper in flavor.

How do I make the tempura batter without a mix?

Combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and a pinch of salt. Whisk in 1/2 cup ice-cold water until smooth.

Can I make the onion rings ahead of time?

It’s best to fry them fresh, but you can keep them warm in a 200°F oven on a baking sheet for up to 15 minutes.