Make these delicious copycat Whiskey River burgers from Red Robin at home at your next barbecue! This all beef burger features Cheddar cheese and bourbon-infused Whiskey River BBQ sauce plus all the fixings from tomatoes, lettuce, and crispy homemade onion straws.
Preparation Details
Prep Time: 35 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 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
Steps
- 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.
