I made these burgers for a fall cookout and they disappeared before the second round of drinks was poured. One pound of ground pork mixed with minced garlic, grated yellow onion, dried thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Formed into four patties and grilled five to six minutes per side. A slice of cheddar cheese melted on top during the last minute. Served on buns with grilled apple slices, caramelised and marked from two to three minutes on the grill.
The grilled apple is what makes these different from any other pork burger. It softens on the grill but holds its shape, and the sweetness against the salty pork and sharp cheddar is a combination I did not expect to work as well as it does. The Dijon in the patty sharpens the meat from the inside.
Tips for Making Pork Burgers with Grilled Apple and Cheddar
Do not over-work the pork
Mix the ground pork, garlic, onion, thyme, mustard, salt, and pepper until just combined. Over-mixing makes the patties dense and tough.
Form four patties about three-quarters of an inch thick. Press a slight indent in the centre to prevent them from puffing on the grill.
Grill the apple slices alongside the burgers
Slice one apple into rings about half an inch thick. Grill for two to three minutes per side until grill marks appear.
The apples should be warm and slightly caramelised, not mushy. Take them off when they have grill marks and still hold their shape.
Pork Burgers with Grilled Apple and Cheddar
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
These alternatives to traditional burgers are full of seasonal flavors like dried thyme and grilled apples.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 yellow onion, grated
- 1 t dried thyme
- 1 T Dijon Mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 apple, sliced
- 4 burger buns
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a bowl, combine ground pork, garlic, onion, thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 4 patties.
- Grill the patties for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
- Place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty during the last minute of cooking to melt.
- Grill the apple slices for 2-3 minutes on each side until grill marks appear.
- Assemble the burgers by placing the patties on buns and topping with grilled apple slices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of apple?
A firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Soft apples disintegrate on the grill. You want one that holds its shape and contrasts with the rich pork.
Can I use a different cheese?
Gruyere, Swiss, or smoked Gouda all work. Cheddar is the most traditional and its sharpness balances the sweet apple and savoury pork.
Can I cook these in a pan?
Yes. A cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, five to six minutes per side. The apple slices can be grilled in the same pan after the burgers rest.
