Wendy’s Pretzel Pub Burger

The Pretzel Pub Burger is Wendy’s premium burger offering, and it is legitimately one of the best fast food burgers out there. The pretzel bun is soft and chewy with a slightly salty exterior. The Muenster cheese melts into a creamy blanket over the patty. The beer cheese sauce adds richness, the smoky honey mustard adds tang, and the crispy fried onion strings add crunch. Every bite has something different going on.

At Wendy’s, this burger costs about $7-8. Making four of them at home costs about $14 total, and you get better quality beef and fresher toppings.

Why Make It at Home?

Fast food burgers are made to be assembled in under 30 seconds. That means the cheese is barely melted, the bun is not toasted, and the toppings are thrown on in a rush. At home, you take the time to get a proper sear on the patty, melt the cheese perfectly, and toast the bun until it is warm and slightly crispy.

Tips & Variations

• Find pretzel buns at the bakery section. Most grocery store bakeries carry pretzel buns. If you cannot find them, brioche buns are the next best substitute, though the flavor is different.
• Make a quick beer cheese. Melt 4 oz of Muenster cheese with 2 tablespoons of beer and a pinch of mustard powder in a small saucepan. Stir until smooth. This takes 3 minutes and elevates the burger significantly.
• Use 80/20 ground beef. Leaner beef makes dry burgers. The 20% fat is what gives you a juicy, flavorful patty.