Sauerkraut Burgers with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce

This post is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. As always, all opinions and recipes are my own. 

Up your burger game with sweet-spicy-savory Kraut Burgers. Classic beef burgers are topped with sauerkraut, homemade oven fried pickles and a sweet-spicy sriracha sauce. This recipe, which we’ve dubbed the “Sweet and Sauer” Burger, feeds a crowd with pizzazz. Makes 4 burgers.

A woman holds a halved Sauerkraut Burger with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce

Our favorite burger place used to have this burger called the Schnitzengrueben.

This decadent all-beef patty was topped with sauerkraut, fried pickles and house-made thousand island and served on a toasted bun.

When they reworked their menu a few years back, the Schnitzengrueben disappeared.

Why I love this recipe:

When my friends at Sprouts challenged me to share my best burger, I I wanted to make my version of a Schnitzengrueben.

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    We’ve been calling this the Sweet and Sauer Burger. Because the Sauerkraut Burger with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce is really long.

    This burger combines spicy with sweet and creamy and adds some crunch. It has delightfully wonderful balance.

    Our recipe starts with a classic beef burger patty. Then make oven fried pickles and a sweet-spicy sriracha sauce to top the burgers with. And then we layer ’em together with sauerkraut, pickles and sauce on a toasted whole wheat bun.

    It is something special. And yes, while it is a labor of love, it is absolutely worth the effort!

    More burger recipes to try: Spinach and Feta BurgersClassic Salmon BurgersLouisiana Cajun Turkey Burgers with Étouffée Relish and Creamy Cajun SauceCheeseburger Kebabs (Deconstructed Cheeseburger Bites)Guacamole-Stuffed Fajita Burgers / Pan Fried Hamburgers

    Looking for more warm weather dishes to make? Check out my Summer Recipe Index.

    A close up of Sprouts Grass Fed Beef in a package, surrounded by burger toppings

    What you need to make this recipe:

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    Let’s talk ingredients!

    In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

    Here’s what you need:

    • Oven fried pickles — we’re going to need a combination of Bread & Butter Chip Pickles, buttermilk, AP flour, cornmeal, seasoned salt and black pepper to make these beauties. I suggest getting them together first before getting started on the burgers so they’re ready to rock when the burgers are done.
    • Sweet sriracha sauce — I use Sir Kensington’s avocado mayonnaise, ketchup and yellow mustard in this sauce. You can use whatever brand you have. You’ll also need sweet relish, white vinegar, sriracha and kosher salt to put this sweet-spicy sauce together for the burgers. We’ll need them for the inside of the burgers, as well as the topping.
    • Ground Beef — I used grass fed beef, which cooks a little faster. You do not want to use lean ground beef, so 80/20 or 85/15 is best here because it will give the best flavor.
    • Worcestershire sauce — this gives our burgers a bit of umami. There is no substitute.
    • Kosher salt and black pepper — we’re going to use these to season our burgers. I use a fine grain kosher salt and grind my own pepper.
    • Sauerkraut — I used the Sprouts branded sauerkraut. Any classic kraut should work for this burger. You can also make homemade sauerkraut with cabbage.
    • Whole wheat buns — personally, whole wheat buns are my jam, but if they’re not yours, any burger bun should work here! I highly recommend toasting it.
    Close up of homemade Sweet Sriracha Sauce for burgers

    How do you make Sauerkraut Burgers with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce?

    Make the Sauce

    In a shallow bowl, measure the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, white vinegar, Sriracha sauce, mustard and salt. Whisk together.

    Once combined, refrigerate until serving time.

    I enjoyed using the Sir Kensington’s Classic Ketchup, Yellow Mustard and Avocado Oil Mayonnaise, as well as Sprouts Sweet Pickle Relish, for this sauce. However, if you don’t have them on hand, you can use what’s in your house.

    This can be used as a dipping sauce, too!

    Close up of Sprouts Organic Bread & Butter Chip Pickles

    Make The Oven Fried Pickles

    Preheat the oven, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. I prefer parchment paper to a baking mat, but if that’s all you’ve got, it can work. You may spray the sheet pan with cooking oil or nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

    In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper. Stir.

    In another bowl, add the buttermilk. Soak the pickle slices for a few minutes.

    Place the pickles in the flour and cornmeal mixture directly from the buttermilk. Toss to coat.

    Shake off any excess breading, and then transfer the coated pickles to the baking sheet.

    Bread all the pickles, then place on the prepared baking sheet and bake.

    Flip the pickles about halfway through the bake, then continue to cook for an additional 10ish minutes, or until golden brown.

    Remove the pickles from the oven, and let them cool slightly. You may set them on paper towels to soak up extra liquid, but that’s a little less necessary since we’re not deep frying them.

    Two Sweet and Sauer Burgers are shown on a platter, surrounded by burger condiments and oven fried pickles

    How do you make homemade kraut burgers?

    In a large glass bowl, season the Sprouts grass fed ground beef with seasoned salt and the Sweet Sriracha Sauce.

    Why did I choose grass fed ground beef? It’s super flavorful! Personally, I think it’s even more flavorful than the regular kind you’d get at the grocery, but you can obviously use conventional ground beef if that’s what you have on hand.

    Use your finger to mix the seasonings into the beef until it’s been incorporated, then divide the beef into four patties. Form them by hand, shaping them into a round patty, about 1″ thick.

    Once you’ve formed the patties, drizzle them with the Worcestershire sauce.

    A note on the thickness of the burgers: You can make the burger patties thinner or thicker, just depending on your preference. A thinner patty will cook faster while a thicker one will take longer. 

    Close up of Sweet Sriracha Sauce being drizzled on top of a burger

    How to cook Kraut Burgers on the grill:

    Heat a gas grill to 425-450°F. We want it to be hot, so let it heat up for a bit before adding the burgers.

    When the grill is the correct temperature, carefully place the burger patties on the grill grates.

    Grill for about 4-5 minutes, or until the bottom side is slightly charred, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or longer.

    The amount of time you cook the burgers is dependent on what temperature you prefer. Use an instant read meat thermometer to confirm they’re done.

    How to cook the burgers on the stovetop:

    Heat the skillet/grill pan over medium-high heat. (A cast iron skillet would be excellent since it holds heat well.) Add 1-2 teaspoons of oil to the pan.

    When screaming hot, add the burgers. Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side (or until browned). Then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes. If you like your burgers cooked to medium well or well done, you will need to cook them longer.

    When the burgers are cooked through, remove them from the heat.

    How to serve:

    Serve each kraut burger on a toasted bun, topped with ¼ cup sauerkraut and 4-5 oven fried pickles.

    Drizzle with a tablespoon Sweet Sriracha Sauce, then enjoy immediately!

    Two Sauerkraut Burgers with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce are shown on a platter, ready for eating

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What’s in a kraut burger?

    This kraut burger recipe is made with ground beef. We also include oven fried pickles, sauerkraut and a spicy-creamy sriracha sauce on top.

    What should I serve with Krautburgers?

    It depends what you’re in the mood for! No Mayo Potato Salad and Instant Pot BBQ Baked Beans are excellent sides for this burger recipe.

    Can you put sauerkraut on a hamburger?

    Yes! And it’s absolutely DELICIOUS.

    sauerkraut burgers on a plate

    Tips and tricks to the best Kraut Burgers

    Close up of a woman holding a Sauerkraut Burger with Pinterest text

    Who’s ready for a burger?

    Here’s how you can make it at home!

    A halved Sauerkraut Burger with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce is held in hand before consuming

    Sauerkraut Burgers with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    Up your burger game by making this sweet-spicy-savory Sauerkraut Burgers with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce. This recipe, which we’ve dubbed the “Sweet and Sauer” Burger, feeds a crowd with pizzazz. These all-beef burgers are topped with sauerkraut, homemade oven fried pickles and a flavorful sweet Sriracha sauce. Sauerkraut Burgers with Oven Fried Pickles and Sweet Sriracha Sauce are sure to be a hit this season!
    5 from 2 votes
    Servings 4 burgers
    Calories 686 kcal
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    Oven Fried Pickles

    • ¾ cup Sprouts Organic Bread & Butter Chip Pickles
    • ¼ cup buttermilk
    • ¼ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup yellow cornmeal
    • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Sweet Sriracha Sauce

    • ¼ cup Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayonnaise (regular mayo OK, too)
    • 2 tablespoons Sir Kensington’s Classic Ketchup
    • 2 tablespoons Sprouts Organic Sweet Relish
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
    • ¼ tablespoon Sir Kensington’s Yellow Mustard
    • Pinch of salt

    Burgers

    • 1 ¼ lb. Sprouts Grass Fed Beef 80/20 or 85/15 work best!
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 tablespoons Sweet Sriracha Sauce

    Burger Toppings (for each burger)

    • ¼ cup Sprouts Organic Sauerkraut
    • 1 tablespoon Sweet Sriracha Sauce
    • 4-5 Oven Fried Pickles
    • 1 Whole Wheat Bun

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    Make the Oven Fried Pickles

    • Preheat the oven to 475°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
    • Combine the flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper in a glass bowl.
    • Pour the buttermilk into another bowl.
    • Place the pickles in the buttermilk, allowing a few minutes to soak before transferring to the flour/cornmeal mixture.
    • Coat the pickles on all sides, shaking off any excess, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
    • Repeat until all the pickles have been breaded.
    • Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the pickles from the oven and flip with a spatula. Place the baking sheet back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
    • When the pickles are golden brown, remove from the oven, and let cool.

    Make the Sweet Sriracha Sauce

    • In a medium-sized glass bowl, measure in the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, white vinegar, Sriracha sauce, mustard and salt.
    • Whisk the ingredients together until smooth.
    • Once combined, place in the refrigerator until time to make the burgers and serve.

    Make the Burgers

    • In a large glass bowl, season the beef with seasoned salt and the Sweet Sriracha Sauce.
    • Using your fingers, mix the seasonings into the ground beef until everything has been incorporated.
    • Divide the beef into four patties, and form them by hand, shaping them so they’re round and even. (Mine were about 1” thick.)
    • When the burger patties have been formed, drizzle them with the Worcestershire sauce.
    • If cooking on a grill: Heat a gas grill to 425-450°F. When the grill is the correct temperature, carefully place the burger patties on the grill grates. Grill for about 4-5 minutes, or until the bottom side is slightly charred, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or longer, depending on your doneness preference.
    • If cooking on a grill pan on the stovetop: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to the pan, and when hot, add the burgers carefully. Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side (or until browned), then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes or longer, depending on your doneness preference.
    • When the burgers are cooked to your doneness preference, remove from the heat.
    • Serve the burgers on buns, topping with ¼ cup sauerkraut and 4-5 oven fried pickles. Drizzle with a tablespoon Sweet Sriracha Sauce, then enjoy immediately!

    Notes

    Pickles recipe adapted from my Oven Fried Pickles.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 686kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 22gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 2341mgFiber: 8gSugar: 9g
    Keyword beef burger, beef burger recipe, burger, grilling, how to make burgers, pickles, sauce, sauerkraut, sauerkraut burger, summer
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    18 Comments

    1. I have never thought of putting sauerkraut on a burger but it definitely sounds yummy!

    2. Oven fried pickles?! Sweet Sriracha sauce?! Everything about these burgers looks ahhhmazing. Definitely looking forward to trying this!

    3. You’ve combined my love of burgers and Reuben sandwiches and the results look AMAZING!!

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