Smoky Maple Burger on a Homemade Pretzel Bun
Juicy beef, sharp cheddar, sweet caramelized pineapple, peppery baby arugula, and a creamy Smoky Maple Burger Sauce come together on a toasted pretzel bun for the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, salty, and savory. This burger is simple enough for a summer barbecue but special enough to become a family favourite.
Prep time
20 min
Cook time
15 min
Serves
Ingredients
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Smoky Maple Burger Sauce
- ½ cupmayonnaise
- 1½ tbspketchup
- 1 tbspDijon mustard
- ½ tspsmoked paprika
- 1 clovegarlic, finely grated
- 1 tspWorcestershire sauce
- 1 tsppickle juice
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Quick Smoky Maple BBQ Glaze
- ¼ cupketchup
- 1 tbspWorcestershire sauce
- 2 tsppure maple syrup
- 1 tspDijon mustard
- ½ tspsmoked paprika
- ¼ tspgarlic powder
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Caramelized Pineapple
- 4thin pineapple slices (about ¼ inch thick)
- 1 tbspmelted butter
- ¼ tspsmoked paprika
Burgers
- 1½–2 lbslean ground beef
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slicesaged white cheddar or sharp cheddar
- 4pretzel buns, toasted
- Baby arugula
- 4thin caramelized pineapple slices
- Smoky Maple Burger Sauce
- Optional: thinly sliced fresh jalapeños
Ingredients
Smoky Maple Burger Sauce
- ½ cupmayonnaise
- 1½ tbspketchup
- 1 tbspDijon mustard
- ½ tspsmoked paprika
- 1 clovegarlic, finely grated
- 1 tspWorcestershire sauce
- 1 tsppickle juice
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Quick Smoky Maple BBQ Glaze
- ¼ cupketchup
- 1 tbspWorcestershire sauce
- 2 tsppure maple syrup
- 1 tspDijon mustard
- ½ tspsmoked paprika
- ¼ tspgarlic powder
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Caramelized Pineapple
- 4thin pineapple slices (about ¼ inch thick)
- 1 tbspmelted butter
- ¼ tspsmoked paprika
Burgers
- 1½–2 lbslean ground beef
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slicesaged white cheddar or sharp cheddar
- 4pretzel buns, toasted
- Baby arugula
- 4thin caramelized pineapple slices
- Smoky Maple Burger Sauce
- Optional: thinly sliced fresh jalapeños
Instructions
Make the Smoky Maple Burger Sauce
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, and black pepper until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Make the Quick Smoky Maple BBQ Glaze
- 1
Whisk together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth. No cooking required.
Caramelize the Pineapple
- 1
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and smoked paprika. Brush both sides of the pineapple slices with the butter mixture.
- 2
Grill over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side, or until lightly caramelized with beautiful grill marks.
Grill the Burgers
- 1
Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and gently shape into patties slightly larger than the buns. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- 2
Grill the burgers over medium-high heat until almost cooked to your liking.
- 3
During the final minute of cooking, lightly brush both sides of each burger with the Quick Smoky Maple BBQ Glaze. Flip once more to allow the glaze to caramelize.
- 4
Place a slice of cheddar on each burger during the final minute of cooking. Cover briefly until melted.
Assemble
- 1
Toast the pretzel buns until lightly golden.
- 2
Spread a generous layer of Smoky Maple Burger Sauce onto the bottom bun.
- 3
Add a handful of baby arugula.
- 4
Place the cheeseburger on top of the arugula, then finish with one thin caramelized pineapple slice.
- 5
If you enjoy a little heat, top the pineapple with a few thin slices of fresh jalapeño — the sweet pineapple and spicy jalapeño are a delicious combination.
- 6
Spread another small spoonful of Smoky Maple Burger Sauce on the underside of the top bun before placing it on the burger.
- 7
Serve immediately.
Melissa's Notes
Pretzel buns are more dense and have a rich, chewy texture — try my Homemade Soft Pretzel Buns. If you prefer a lighter bun, try my Soft Homemade Hamburger Buns.
My husband loves adding a fried egg to this burger, and it pairs surprisingly well with the sweet pineapple and smoky flavours. If you're an egg-on-your-burger fan, give it a try!
For an extra indulgent version, add a couple of slices of crispy bacon.
Short on time? Skip the homemade Quick Smoky Maple BBQ Glaze and simply brush your favourite store-bought barbecue sauce onto the burgers during the last minute of cooking. It'll still be absolutely delicious.
Nutrition Information
Per burger — based on 4 servings, without optional toppings
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
This recipe works well with The Best Homemade Soft Pretzel Buns
This recipe works well with The Best Soft Homemade Hamburger Buns
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