Oklahoma-Style Onion Burgers

Ingredients

• 1/4 teaspoon canola oil
• 5 ounces freshly ground beef, divided into two 2 1/2-ounce balls
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 2 slices American cheese
• 2 soft hamburger buns
• Mustard, pickles, and other condiments, if desired

Directions

1. Use a paper towel to rub the canola oil across the inside of a large cast iron skillet. Set the skillet over high heat and warm it until it just begins to smoke. Put the beef balls in the pan, then use the back of a spatula to smash them flat. Season well with salt and pepper.
2. Move fast here: scatter the onions evenly over the burgers as they cook, then press so the onions sink into the meat. Leave them alone after that, cooking until the beef is deeply browned, about 2 minutes.
3. With a stiff spatula, carefully turn the burgers, scraping up the browned bits with the meat instead of leaving them behind in the skillet. Cook until the onions begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add the cheese, then set the top bun over each burger. Put each bottom bun upside-down on top of the top bun so it can soften in the onion steam.
4. Once the buns are soft, move the bottom buns to a plate. Add condiments if you want them. Pick up the onions, burger, and top bun together, then set the whole stack onto the bottom bun. Repeat with the 2nd burger. Serve right away.