Cowboy Burger Recipe with Grilled Pickles + Crispy Onion Straws (2024)

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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 with Grilled Pickles + Crispy Onion Straws (1)

Heart appetites will love this cowboy burger with Cowboy Caviar and Hearty Game Day Recipes.

What Is Cowboy Food

A recipe is typically considered cowboy food if it draws inspiration from the culinary traditions of the American West, featuring hearty and rustic ingredients commonly associated with cowboy cuisine, such as beef, beans, corn and potatoes, often prepared in a simple and hearty manner reminiscent of cowboy campfire cooking.

For more cowboy cooking, make this irresistable Cowboy Caviar Salsa!

Recipe Tips

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.

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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.

Cowboy Burger Recipe with Grilled Pickles + Crispy Onion Straws (10)

A special thanks to McCormick.com for this recipe.

Cowboy Burger Ingredients

For ingredient measurements, scroll on down to the cowboy burger recipe card.

How to Make 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.

Cowboy Burger Recipe with Grilled Pickles + Crispy Onion Straws (28)

Step 6: Serve burgers on rolls topped with grilled pickles, Crispy Onion Straws and lettuce. Serve with BBQ Mayonnaise.

More Burger Recipes

Explore a diverse range of burger recipes, from classic beef patties to innovative plant-based creations, to elevate your burger game and satisfy your cravings for juicy, flavorful meals.

For more amazing burger ideas:

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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