This Rodeo Burger tastes like America on a bun. With a grilled juicy patty, fried onion rings, BBQ sauce, and melted cheese, it’s a restaurant favorite you can make at home.
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Why this Rodeo Burger Recipe is a Keeper
This mouth-watering burger is piled high with crispy bacon, melty cheese, and tangy barbecue sauce. While you can order this burger off the menu at Burger King, it’s an easy recipe that tastes even better when you make it yourself with high-quality beef, crispy onion rings, and hamburger seasoning.
Here are a few reasons why you’ll want to make the rodeo burger at home:
- 17 Minute Meal: Have this juicy burger ready in just 17 minutes.
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients for this rodeo cheeseburger recipe can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Adaptable: Add your favorite toppings, or adjust the ingredients to your dietary needs.
If you’re looking for more burger inspired recipes, try these: Mexican Burger, Jack Daniels Whiskey Burger and this Pizza Burger.
My Burger is Falling Apart; What Am I Doing Wrong?
If your burgers are falling apart, you may be overworking them. Make sure to gently shape the patties, and notch small indent in the middle to distribute the fat evenly. A grill basket may help as well.
Ingredient Notes to Make Rodeo Cheeseburgers
- Ground Beef: 80% ground chuck is typically considered best for hamburger patties; however, you can use any variety you want.
- Cheese: This copycat recipe for Burger King’s rodeo burger uses Monterey jack cheese; however, you can use your favorite kind of cheese. White cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese would also be delicious.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for this Burger King Copycat Recipe
- Jalapeños: Some sliced jalapenos will add a spicy kick to your burger.
- Hot Sauce: For even more heat, add a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce along with the sweet BBQ sauce.
We are also loving this Western Bacon Cheeseburger.
Special Equipment Needed for Rodeo Burgers
- Grill: Easily make these burgers on the grill. If you don’t have a grill, you can also use a pan on the stovetop.
- Meat Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the beef to make sure it’s not over or undercooked.
Secret Menu Pro Tip
For perfectly melted cheese on your Rodeo Burger, try the quick steam method. After placing the cheese on the patty, use a squirt bottle to carefully add a little water to the grill around the burger. Immediately cover it with a lid or aluminum tray for about 30 seconds to a minute.
How to Make Rodeo Burgers
Made with onion rings and tangy BBQ sauce, this Burger King rodeo burger will satisfy all your cravings. Read on to learn how to recreate the delicious flavors of your favorite burger from Burger King.
These are the basic steps for making BBQ burgers. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Mix the Sauce
First, mix together the aioli ingredients in a small bowl. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 2 tablespoons of the BBQ aioli, and steak seasoning. Then, using your hand, mix until the ingredients are combined, being careful not to over-mix the meat. Shape into four patties in equal portions.
2. Cook the Patties
Next, grill burgers over medium to high heat for 4-5 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Place a slice of cheese on top of each patty. Cover and cook 1-2 minutes longer, or until cheese has melted.
3. Assemble the Rodeo Burgers
Finally, spread the remaining BBQ aioli on the top bun and the bottom bun; add the prepared burger patty. Top with 3 prepared onion rings, along with your preferred toppings.
Onion Ring Burger FAQs
Wrap leftover patties in foil or store in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can cook the patties ahead of time, then add the toppings later.
Cowboy butter is a flavored compound butter made with garlic powder, herbs, and spices. It’s the perfect spread for these burgers.
Reheat the burgers in the oven or in a grill pan until warmed through.
80% ground beef is typically recommended, as it contains a ratio of 80% lean meat to 20% fat, which will help the burger stay together and retain a juicy texture.
Expert Tips for Making Onion Ring Burgers
- Temperature: A medium burger should have an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Measure the burgers’ temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Buns: Instead of an ordinary potato bun, take your burgers to the next level with pretzel buns.
- Avocado: The beauty of making these burgers is that you can add anything you want. Add avocados to these secret menu burgers, grilled onions, pickles, or your favorite toppings.
- Short cut tip: A deep fryer can be used to fry the onion rings until golden brown. Allow to drain on a paper towel afterwards.
- Variation tip for the Rodeo burger: Cook in an air fryer or on a grill pan in the oven.
- Indent: Place an indent in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly.
What to Serve with Rodeo Burgers
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Rodeo Burger
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 8 Bacon Strips, cooked and crumbled
- 2 teaspoons Steak Seasoning Blend
- 4 slices Monterey Jack Cheese
- 12 Onion Rings, prepared
- 4 Hamburger Buns, split
- BBQ Aioli
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Barbecue Sauce
Instructions
- Mix together the aioli ingredients in a small bowl. In another bowl, combine the ground beef, 2 tablespoons of the BBQ aioli and steak seasoning. Using your hand, mix until the ingredients are combined, being careful not to over-mix the meat. Shape into four patties.
- Grill burgers over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Place a slice of cheese on top of each patty. Cover and cook 1-2 minutes longer or until cheese has melted.
- Spread remaining BBQ aioli on each side of the buns; add the prepared burger patty and top with 3 prepared onion rings any other toppings you like.
Christina’s Notes
- Temperature: A medium burger should have an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Measure the burgers’ temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Buns: Instead of an ordinary potato bun, take your burgers to the next level with pretzel buns.
- Avocado: The beauty of making these burgers is that you can add anything you want. Add avocados to these secret menu burgers, grilled onions, pickles, or your favorite toppings.
- Short cut tip: A deep fryer can be used to fry the onion rings until golden brown. Allow to drain on a paper towel afterwards.
- Variation tip: Cook in an air fryer or on a grill pan in the oven.
- Indent: Place an indent in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
These burgers were a huge hit! First off, any sandwich with onion rings … c’mon! So good! And I had never cosidered a barbecue aioli. It’s delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
That looks absolutely delicious. Is it lunch time yet?!
Thanks! 🙂
Mixing the bacon right in there is a great idea. I want one right NOW.