Black Forest Burger Pretzel Buns (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Burger Patties

01 - 500 grams ground beef, preferably grass-fed
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

04 - 4 slices Black Forest ham
05 - 1 cup onions, thinly sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 0.5 cup cherry compote, store-bought or homemade

→ Assembly

08 - 4 pretzel buns, toasted
09 - 4 slices Emmental cheese or Swiss cheese
10 - handful fresh arugula

# Instructions:

01 - In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Divide into four equal portions and shape into patties, creating a slight indentation in the center of each to encourage even cooking.
02 - Melt unsalted butter in a sauté pan over medium heat (180°C). Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and richly aromatic, about 15 minutes. Set aside.
03 - Grill or pan-fry the patties over medium-high heat for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, until the desired doneness is achieved. During the final minute, top each patty with a slice of Emmental or Swiss cheese to allow gentle melting.
04 - Lay the toasted pretzel bun bases on plates. Top each with fresh arugula, a cheese-topped beef patty, a slice of Black Forest ham, a spoonful of caramelized onions, and a drizzle of cherry compote. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately.

# Notes:

01 - Chill the beef patties for 10 minutes before grilling to help them retain their shape during cooking.
02 - For best flavor, use freshly ground black pepper and a high-quality cherry compote.