Cowboy Burger Recipe with Grilled Pickles and Crispy Onion Straws
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. This post contains affiliate links.
Be sure to check out our other grilling recipes, too!

Cowboy Burger Recipe
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.
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.
A special thanks to McCormick.com for this recipe.
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

Directions for 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 160∫F).
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.
Step 6: Serve burgers on rolls topped with grilled pickles, Crispy Onion Straws and lettuce.
Serve with BBQ Mayonnaise.

Cowboy Burger Recipe with Grilled Pickles and Crispy Onion Straws
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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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount 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.
For more amazing burger ideas:
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Yum! Love the idea of the Montreal steak spice in a burger! 😀
This cowboy burger sounds fabulous. Thank you for haring on Sugar and Spice link party. Shared and pinned.
Why have I never thought to grill pickles before? Life changing! Happy Fiesta Friday! – Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck – Colleen
I always pick burgers topped with onion straws if they’re an option, these look great!
I love everything about this burger!! Looks really mouth-watering!! Yum! Thanks for sharing and for joining Fiesta Friday party!
We love burgers in our house and this one sounds delicious. Pinned and thanks for sharing.
this looks very yummy and a perfect recipe to keep on hand for a western meal to feed this large family thanks so much for sharing
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Mmmm…. now I’m wanting a burger!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Can’t wait to see what you’ll bring this week!
I am so ready for a good burger, this looks fantastic! Hope you are having a good week and staying warm. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Oh my…pretty sure we’ll be making these. Burgers are always a hit around here and these sound sensational.
I have made these several times now and they are our new favorite burger! My favorite part is the bbq mayo sauce! Really a great recipe! Thanks!
Yeah! glad you’re enjoying the recipe 🙂
These cowboy burgers are delicious! My family loved them. I love having dinners the whole family will eat! Thank you
Yeehaw! Glad they’re such a hit with the family 😀
It looks so delicious.