Description

This October Festival Pretzel Bun Beer Cheese Burger is a savory and indulgent twist on the classic burger. Featuring juicy beef patties topped with rich German-style beer cheese, crispy turkey bacon, sweet caramelized onions, and fresh arugula, all sandwiched between soft, golden pretzel buns. Perfect for fall gatherings or a comforting weekend meal, this recipe combines smoky, tangy, and fresh flavors with a satisfying texture contrast.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Burger Patties and Toppings

1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
4 slices thick-cut turkey bacon
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for sautéing onions)
Salt and pepper, to taste

For Assembly

1 cup German-style beer cheese
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1 cup fresh arugula
4 pretzel buns

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Instructions

Preheat Grill or Skillet: Preheat your grill or a large skillet to medium-high heat to ensure the cooking surface is hot enough to properly sear the burger patties.
Form and Season Patties: Gently shape the ground beef into 4 equal-sized patties, making sure not to overwork the meat. Season each patty generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
Cook Turkey Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the thick-cut turkey bacon until crispy. Once done, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.
Caramelize Onions: Using the same skillet with the bacon drippings or adding olive oil or butter, sauté the thinly sliced onions over medium heat. Cook gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft, golden, and caramelized.
Cook Patties and Melt Cheese: Place the beef patties on the preheated grill or skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness. In the last minute of cooking, spoon German-style beer cheese on top of each patty, allowing it to melt.
Toast Pretzel Buns: Lightly toast the pretzel buns on the grill or in the skillet until they turn golden brown and slightly crisp.
Assemble the Burgers: Spread whole grain mustard on the bottom half of each pretzel bun. Layer with the melted beer cheese burger patty, crispy turkey bacon, caramelized onions, and fresh arugula. Top with the other half of the bun.
Serve: Serve immediately while warm for the best taste experience.

Notes

You can substitute turkey bacon with regular bacon if preferred.
For a spicier kick, add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce in the assembly step.
If you can’t find German-style beer cheese, a sharp cheddar or smoked gouda can work as alternatives.
Make sure not to overcook the patties to keep them juicy and tender.
Caramelizing onions takes time but adds tremendous flavor, so don’t rush this step.