Big Fat Burger with Gruyre, Ham, Pickled Red Onions, Baby Arugula, and Roasted Garlic Mayo

Level: Simple
Makes: 2 burgers
Nutrition Facts Per Burger: Calories 1012, Total Fat 58g, Saturated Fat 26g, Carbs 56g, Dietary Fiber 5g, Sugars 7g, Protein 65g, Cholesterol 199mg, Sodium 1300mg
Total Time: 50 minutes
Prep: 10 min
Resting: 30 min
Cook: 10 min

Pickled Red Onions

1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp granulated sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 dashes hot sauce (suggested: Tabasco)
1/2 small red onion, finely sliced (ideally with a mandoline)

Burger Blend

12 oz ground beef
1/4 cup ham, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/4 cup Gruyre cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 garlic clove, smashed and minced
Kosher salt
2 slices Gruyre cheese
2 sesame seed hamburger buns
1/2 cup mayonnaise mixed with 1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 slices beefsteak tomato
1 cup baby arugula leaves, rinsed

For the pickled onions: In a lidded container, combine salt, sugar, vinegar, water, and hot sauce. Cover and shake thoroughly to mix. Drop in the sliced onions and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
For the burgers: Preheat your grill to fiery perfection. Mix together all burger blend ingredients and season with salt to taste. Shape into two juicy, equal-sized patties. Grill for about 4 minutes per side until irresistibly charred. About 2 minutes before done, top each with a slice of Gruyre to melt into gooey bliss.
For the buns: Split the hamburger buns and toast them, cut side down, directly on the grill until golden and crisp, about 1 minute.
To build your burger: Slather a generous layer of roasted garlic mayo on the inside of each toasted bun. Stack a sizzling burger patty on the bottom bun, then pile on tangy pickled onions, a juicy tomato slice, and a fresh handful of baby arugula. Crown with the top bun and dive into this flavor explosion while it's hotyour taste buds will thank you!