Western Burger Recipe with Onion Rings

Jump to Recipe

This Western Burger is stacked high with a big beef patty, bacon, barbecue sauce, and crispy onion rings! Loaded with flavor in every bite and the perfect addition to your summer grilling!

Nothing beats grilling season. Serve this burger with Homemade Onion Rings and a tall glass of Lemonade for a go-to meal the entire family will love!

RECIPE FEATURES

Easy Grilling Recipe: Minimal seasoning and big flavor. These burgers are juicy and delicious without any fuss.
Make-Ahead Option: Make and shape the patties ahead of time for a quick cook!
Easy to Customize: Add your favorite toppings like bacon, tomatoes or lettuce.

I am a sucker for a delicious burger. Especially during the summer. We would visit my aunt and spend days out on the lake. Her treat to us? Carl’s Jr western bacon cheeseburger. They were such a treat and loaded with our favorite toppings. You just cannot beat a burger that is topped with crispy onion rings and slathered in bbq sauce.

For this recipe, I opted to use my homemade bbq sauce which adds a depth of flavor that is drool worthy. Pair that with the super simple juicy patty and crispy onion rings and you have yourself a copycat burger that rivals the original!

WHAT’S ON A WESTERN BURGER?

If you’re looking for the classic Carl’s Jr burger, it comes with a charbroiled all-beef patty, two strips of bacon, melted American cheese, crispy onion rings and tangy BBQ Sauce on a seeded bun. My recipe? All the same, minus the charbroil.

Ground Beef: Keep in mind, the percentage of fat in burger is key. Fat provides moisture which gives you those super juicy burger patties. We like to stick with a meat that has 15 to 20 percent. A ground chuck is my go-to, but you can use any variety that works for you.
Seasonings: Nothing too fancy. A simple burger seasoning or regular salt and pepper.
Bacon: An optional ingredient, but one that really sends these burgers over the top. We like to cook bacon in the oven. It is such a time saver and you get evenly cooked pieces.
Onion Rings: Homemade OR you can find fairly good tasting onion rings in the freezer section of most grocers. Follow the directions on the back of the package.
BBQ Sauce: Again, you can make a homemade version or use your favorite brand. We love Stubb’s or Sweet Baby Ray’s.
Toppings: Here is where you can get really creative. Sliced tomatoes, lettuce, or pickles. Add whatever your heart desires.

HOW TO MAKE WESTERN BURGERS

PREP: Gather your ingredients and form the patties. I find it is easiest to get everything ready before you start cooking. That way your kitchen experience runs quick and smooth.
COOK: Cook your burgers and onion rings. You can make the burgers on the grill, in the oven, or even in the air fryer!
ASSEMBLE: Build your burgers! Try toasting the buns slightly and spreading a very thin layer of butter. This will send the flavor over the top!
ENJOY: Serve and enjoy!

HELPFUL TOOLS

Burger Press: Is this a necessity? No. Is it a must-have for summer burger making? YES! This easy press (affiliate) is amazing at forming equal patty sizes and is under $10 at the time of writing this post.
Air Fryer (affiliate): One of THE MOST USED kitchen items I own. Perfect for when you want a burger but aren’t looking forward to pulling out the grill.
Beef Seasoning: I always reach for the Traeger Beef Rub (affiliate). It adds the perfect balance of flavor and has a long shelf life.

RECIPE FAQS

What is the best ground beef for burgers?

The percentage of fat in burger is key. Fat provides moisture which gives you those super juicy burger patties. We like to stick with a meat that has 15 to 20 percent. A ground chuck is my go-to, but you can use any variety that works for you.

Can you make this on the stove?

Yes. Burgers can easily be made on the stove.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
Once the pan is hot, place the patties in the skillet.
Cook until nicely seared and slightly browned up the sides.
Flip and cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Can this recipe be made in advance?

This recipe can definitely be prepped ahead. Mix the beef with the seasonings and form your patties. Place in an airtight container, layering with parchment if stacking, and refrigerate until ready to cook. Use within 24 hours.

What are the best toppings for burgers?

There is no end to the types of toppings you can use in this recipe. Pick your favorites and let everyone build their own. Some of our favorites are:
Bacon
BBQ Sauce
Ketchup
Mustard
Lettuce
Tomato
Pickles

MORE MUST-TRY BURGER RECIPES

Still Hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

Western BBQ Burger

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes

This Western Burger is stacked high with a big beef patty, bacon, barbecue sauce, and crispy onion rings! Loaded with flavor in every bite and the perfect addition to your summer grilling!

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon burger seasoning
1-1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
6-8 slices bacon, cooked
Onion rings, homemade or frozen, cooked
Barbeque sauce of your choice
Additional toppings
Hamburger buns

Instructions

Combine the beef, burger seasoning, and Worcestershire in a medium bowl. Gently mix with your hands until combined.
Divide into four equal pieces. Use your hand to form a thin and large round patty. You want them to be larger than you think. They will shrink and thick up while cooking.
Heat the grill to medium/high heat.
Grill the burgers roughly 4 minutes on each side, or until the burger reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Remove the patty and layer on a bun with barbecue sauce, onion rings, and cooked bacon.

Notes

Toast your hamburger buns with a tiny bit of butter. This gives you an incredibly delicious restaurant flavor and helps keep the toppings from soaking into the bun.
Start with the lowest time and work your way up. You do not want your burger to overcook.
Use 80/20 ground chuck for the best flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 Servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 698Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 1162mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 42g