If you type in a Google search for "Oktoberfest Burger" you will end up with a result page full of references to the burger chain, Red Robin. Red Robin is one of the few restaurants we have in town. We don't visit often, but a few weeks ago I received a birthday coupon in the mail for a free appetizer (never-mind that it was one month late) so we decided to head on over and put it to use.
Ironically, we forgot to bring the appetizer coupon, which initially irritated me because it was the sole purpose for our visit. My frustration was quickly lifted when we walked through the doors and saw the huge poster welcoming us with a photo of their seasonal Oktoberfest Burger. A juicy burger - complimented with Swiss cheese, black forest ham, beer-braised onions and beer mustard - all sandwiched between a pretzel-bun. Mmm-hmmm!
Ben and I split our meal because we always find that with an appetizer (their sweet potato fries are delicious!) we are always too full if we each eat our own burger. The one half was definitely enough to fill me up, but I wouldn't be telling you the full truth if I didn't admit I was wishing for more! And, what does one food blogger do when she wants more of something she loves at a restaurant? She figures out how to recreate it at home! 😉 This seasonal burger may only be available at Red Robin until November 6th, but now it's available year round out of your own kitchen.
Recipe Card
Oktoberfest Burger
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion , thinly sliced
- 8 ounces beer
- ¼ cup beer mustard , or more if needed (you can buy store-bought or make it homemade, but I just mixed a few tablespoons of Dijon mustard with a little bit of beer)
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- burger seasonings (seasoned salt, pepper, etc.), if preferred
- 8 to 12 thin slices black forest ham
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 4 pretzel rolls
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until just barely soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Pour in the beer then stir. Cover and cook for 10 more minutes. Remove the cover and continue to cook until most of the liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 Tablespoons of the beer mustard; set aside.
- Meanwhile, shape the ground beef into 4 thick patties, mixing in seasonings to taste. Grill to desired doneness, adding the slices of cheese near the end and allowing to briefly melt. Toast the pretzel buns on the grill, if preferred. Remove buns and burgers from the grill and place on a platter to prepare for assembly.
- To assemble the burgers, place a leaf of lettuce on the bottom half of a pretzel bun. Place a burger patty on top of the lettuce, with the cheese facing up. Top with beer-braised onions, beer mustard and 2 to 3 slices of ham. Finish it off with the top half of the pretzel bun. Repeat with the other patties and ingredients. Open your mouth wide, take a big bite and prepare to be amazed with the best burger ever.
Jeanne says
So, where's the recipe?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Jeanne,
So sorry! When I moved my site to a new template, some of the recipes disappeared. Thank you for letting me know about this one. It's there now.
Carlo/Carlo At Your Service Productions says
I never heard of an Oktoberfest burger before but this sounds like a winner to stay in the spirit of Oktoberfest and feast on. Thank you for sharing your story AND this delicious-sounding recipe.
This one is a definite "must-make" and "must-try"!
Alyssa says
Can the beer be replaced with hard cider or something else? I'm celiac and can't have beer.
Nikki says
I don't see why not. Give the hard cider and try and let us know what you think! 🙂
Jessica says
I just found your blog and am in love with it! I'm currently reading the back recipes and adding many favorites! I love that things are scratch made, relatively healthy, and simple. I can't wait to make so many things!
Sue gladd says
Oh! Never had anything like this in my life!
Jessica @Sunny Side Up says
I love everything about this burger. I feel like Joey from friends, "Burger? Good. Beer Mustard? Good. Pretzel bun? Gooood."
Tammy W. says
It seems you disabled the comments to your previous post about the photo book due to the nature of the contest, but I happened to read about that just before reading this post from another blog about residual income. It seems you have a decent following and interest in printed forms of your recipes. Why not create a series of recipe e-books? You could do a fall-themed one, a desserts-only one, etc. I'm a freelance writer and do digital scrapbooking and would love to help design it, if you wanted to partner up. Just a thought! https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/09/how-to-significantly-increase-your-income-without-working-harder-part-2.html
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
That looks amazing! I google imaged that burger and yours looks a million times better than the one from Red Robin. 🙂 I live in Germany and have never seen anything like this. I love that it uses a pretzel roll! I absolutely love those.