With its juicy beef patty, crispy bacon, tangy BBQ sauce and melted cheddar cheese, this Cowboy Burger recipe is a true crowd-pleaser.
Crispy onion straws, grilled pickles and a brazen rub that creates a caramelized outer layer take this burger to a whole new level!
If you’re a fan of bold flavors and hearty meals, you’ll love this classic American dish.
Be sure to check out our other grilling recipes, too!
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Cowboy Burger Recipe
McCormick Executive Chef Kevan Vetter recommends you pick a flavor combo that packs a real punch for the rub, then build out the burger with toppings and condiments to match that taste.
For example, use Smoky Montreal Steak Seasoning, chili powder and brown sugar to make a sweet and smoky rub, then top with a rich BBQ mayonnaise, melty cheddar, grilled pickle slices and crispy onion straws.
A special thanks to McCormick.com for this recipe.
Ingredients:
BBQ Mayonnaise:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Stubbs Original Bar-B-Q Sauce
Crispy Onion Straws:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon McCormick Ground Black Pepper
- 1 medium onion, very thinly sliced and separated into rings
- vegetable oil, for frying
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Cowboy Burgers:
- 4 teaspoons McCormick Grill Mates Smoky Montreal Steak Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon McCormick Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
- 4 slices mild Cheddar cheese
- 1 dill pickle, sliced lengthwise 1/4-inch thick
- 4 Kaiser rolls
- 4 lettuce leaves
Directions for Cowboy Burger Recipe:
Step 1: For the BBQ Mayonnaise, mix mayonnaise and Bar-B-Q Sauce in small bowl until well blended. Cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 2: For the Onions, mix flour, salt and pepper in large resealable plastic bag. Add onion; toss to coat well. Pour oil into deep fryer, large heavy skillet or saucepan, filling no more than 1/3 full. Heat oil on medium-high heat.
Step 3: Carefully add onion rings to hot oil. Fry 4 to 5 minutes, turning once to brown evenly, until onions rings are golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.
Step 4: For the Burgers, mix Seasoning, chili powder and brown sugar in small bowl. Shape ground beef into 4 patties.
Coat surface of each patty evenly with the rub mixture.
Grill over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes per side or until burgers are cooked through (internal temperature of 160F).
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Step 5: Add cheese slices to burgers 1 minute before cooking is completed. Grill pickle slices 2 to 3 minutes per side or until grill marks appear. Toast rolls on the grill, open-side down, about 30 seconds, if desired.
Step 6: Serve burgers on rolls topped with grilled pickles, Crispy Onion Straws and lettuce.
Serve with BBQ Mayonnaise.
For more amazing burger ideas:
Smashed: 60 Epic Smash Burgers and Sandwiches for Dinner, for Lunch, and Even for Breakfast
The Great American Burger Book: How to Make Authentic Regional Hamburgers at Home
The Ultimate Burger: Plus DIY Condiments, Sides, and Boozy Milkshakes
Bobby Flay’s Burgers, Fries, and Shakes: A Cookbook
Cowboy Burger Recipe with Grilled Pickles and Crispy Onion Straws
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
With its juicy beef patty, crispy bacon, tangy BBQ sauce and melted cheddar cheese, this Cowboy Burger is a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
BBQ Mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Stubbs Original Bar-B-Q Sauce
Crispy Onion Straws
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon McCormick Ground Black Pepper
- 1 medium onion, very thinly sliced and separated into rings
- vegetable oil, for frying
Cowboy Burgers
- 4 teaspoons McCormick Grill Mates Smoky Montreal Steak Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon McCormick Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
- 4 slices mild Cheddar cheese
- 1 dill pickle, sliced lengthwise 1/4-inch thick
- 4 Kaiser rolls
- 4 lettuce leaves
Instructions
BBQ Mayonnaise
- Mix mayonnaise and Bar-B-Q Sauce in small bowl until well blended.
- Cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Onions
- Mix flour, salt and pepper in large resealable plastic bag.
- Add onion; toss to coat well.
- Pour oil into deep fryer, large heavy skillet or saucepan, filling no more than 1/3 full.
- Heat oil on medium-high heat.
- Carefully add onion rings to hot oil. Fry 4 to 5 minutes, turning once to brown evenly, until onions rings are golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels. Set aside.
Burgers
- Mix Seasoning, chili powder and brown sugar in small bowl.
- Shape ground beef into 4 patties.
- Coat surface of each patty evenly with the rub mixture.
- Grill over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes per side or until burgers are cooked through (internal temperature of 160∫F).
- Add cheese slices to burgers 1 minute before cooking is completed.
- Grill pickle slices 2 to 3 minutes per side or until grill marks appear.
- Toast rolls on the grill, open-side down, about 30 seconds, if desired.
- Serve burgers on rolls topped with grilled pickles, Crispy Onion Straws and lettuce. Serve with BBQ Mayonnaise.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 790Total Fat: 50gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 948mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 50g
Nutrient values are only estimates provided by online calculators. Various factors can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
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