The Ultimate Pork Burger

Servings: 4

Burger sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Burger

  • 1 pound ground pork
  • Salt
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 4 lettuce leaves
  • 4 cheddar cheese slices
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp
  • 4 tomato slices
  1. Combine all burger sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2. Divide the pork into 4 portions and gently shape each into a patty. Season both sides of the patties with salt.
  3. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Grill the burgers until the center registers 160 F and remove from the grill.
  4. Build the burgers in this order: bottom bun, lettuce, burger patty, slice of cheese, two bacon slices, burger sauce, slice of tomato and the top bun.
  5. Enjoy warm!

Tips for tender, juicy pork burgers

  • Salt the patties after they’re formed (don’t mix salt into the meat as it’ll bind the proteins, making a tough, less juicy burger)
  • Don’t overwork the ground pork; handle gently for tender burgers.
  • Press a thumb into the center of the patty for even cooking (this will make it less likely to puff up in the middle and cook unevenly)
  • Use a thermometer and cook until the pork is just 160 F. Overcooking will dry the burgers out.

Other notes

  • Burgers can be cooked on the grill, flat-top or in a skillet.
  • Choose whatever toppings you’d like!