Prep Time::35 mins
Cook Time::15 mins
Soak Time:: 1 hr
Total Time:: 1 hr 50 mins
Servings::4
Yield::4 burgers
Ingredients
Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it.
1 cup very thinly sliced sweet onion (8 oz.)
1 ½ cups buttermilk
5 cups Vegetable oil, for frying
¾ cup flour
1 teaspoon salt, divided
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon celery salt
¼ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
1 ½ pounds ground chuck or 80% lean ground beef
1 tablespoon canola oil
¼ cup bottled whiskey-flavored barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
4 slices Cheddar cheese
4 sesame seed hamburger buns
½ cup mayonnaise
8 thin tomato slices
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
Directions
Combine onions and buttermilk in a bowl and soak at room temperature for 1 hour.
Pour oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches into a deep, heavy-bottomed skillet or pot or a deep-fat fryer; heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Meanwhile whisk together flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, cayenne, and 1/4 teaspoon paprika in a large bowl for the breading. Remove onions from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Toss onions in the breading until well coated.
Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Working in 3 batches, fry onions, turning occasionally to break up any clumps, until crisp and golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to drain. Repeat with remaining onions.
For rub, stir together 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, celery salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Shape beef into 4 patties, about 4 inches in diameter. Brush patties with oil; sprinkle both sides with rub.
Preheat grill to medium-high and lightly oil grate. Grill patties, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until slightly charred.
Flip patties; brush barbecue sauce evenly over patties. Continue cooking about 3 minutes more or until charred and a thermometer inserted into centers registers 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Top patties with cheese; grill, covered, until cheese is melted, about 1 minute more. Grill buns, cut sides down, uncovered, until toasted, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Spread buns with mayonnaise and additional barbecue sauce. Fill buns with patties, onion straws, tomato, and lettuce. Serve immediately.