Ground Pork Burgers with Creamy Homemade Burger Sauce
Juicy ground pork burgers with a creamy homemade burger sauce for an easy, flavour-packed dinner.
These juicy ground pork burgers with homemade burger sauce are an easy dinner for two, loaded with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, sliced onion, pickles and plenty of cheese. The pork patties cook up tender and juicy, but the real star here is the creamy burger sauce. It’s tangy, a little sweet, loaded with finely chopped pickles and good enough that we ended up dipping the fries into it too.
Since this was dinner for two, we each picked our own favourite cheese for the burgers. It’s an easy way to make the same dinner a little different without doing any extra work.
Juicy Ground Pork Burgers with Homemade Burger Sauce
These ground pork burgers with creamy homemade burger sauce are juicy, savoury and full of flavour. The pork patties cook up tender with nicely browned edges, and the creamy sauce adds that classic burger-shop finish without much extra work.
Why These Ground Pork Burgers Are So Good
Ground pork stays naturally juicy, which makes it great for burgers. The patties get plenty of flavour from the seasoning, while the homemade burger sauce adds creaminess, tang and just enough richness.
One practical tip: don’t press down on the burgers while they cook. You’ll squeeze out the juices that help keep the pork tender.
When to Serve Pork Burgers
These easy pork burgers are perfect for weeknight dinners, summer grilling, backyard BBQs or casual family meals.
Serve them with fries, potato wedges, coleslaw or a simple salad. They also work well for entertaining because the patties and burger sauce can both be prepped ahead.
How to Make Ground Pork Burgers with Creamy Homemade Burger Sauce
Ground Pork Ready for Seasoning
Fresh ground pork is the base of these juicy homemade pork burgers. At this stage, the pork is ready to be gently mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Keeping the mixing light helps the ground pork burger patties stay tender and juicy instead of becoming dense.
How to Cook Juicy Ground Pork Burgers
Cook the ground pork burger patties in a hot skillet until they develop a nicely browned crust, then flip and continue cooking until the pork is cooked through. Add your favourite cheese during the last minute or two so it melts right over the hot patties.
For dinner for two, we each chose a different cheese, which is an easy way to personalize these homemade pork burgerswithout making two separate meals. The browned edges and melted cheese make a big difference in both flavour and texture.
Crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and sliced onion add plenty of flavour and texture to these ground pork burgers. The smoky bacon works especially well with the juicy pork patties, while the cool lettuce and crisp onion help balance the richness of the cheese and creamy homemade burger sauce. It is a simple combination, but it makes the finished pork cheeseburgerfeel loaded without being complicated.
Add Plenty of Homemade Burger Sauce
Soft sesame seed hamburger buns are the perfect base for these ground pork burgers, especially with a generous layer of creamy homemade burger sauce. Spreading the sauce right onto the bun helps get that tangy, pickle-packed flavour into every bite. I like using a little more than I think I need—the sauce is one of the best parts of this pork burger recipe.
Real Kitchen Tip:Don’t press down on the patties while they cook. Keeping those juices inside helps these ground pork burgers stay tender and juicy, while a hot pan or grill gives you a nicely browned outside.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Ground Pork Burgers
- Don’t overwork the meat. Mix the seasoning into the ground pork just until combined so the burgers stay tender instead of dense.
- Shape the patties evenly. Similar thickness helps the ground pork burgers cook at the same rate.
- Make a small indent in the centre. This can help the patties cook more evenly and reduces puffing in the middle.
- Use a hot grill or skillet. Good heat gives the outside a nicely browned crust while keeping the centre juicy.
- Don’t press on the burgers. It pushes out moisture and can leave the pork dry.
- Cook the pork fully. Ground pork should reach 71°C / 160°F in the centre.
- Let the burgers rest briefly. A few minutes helps the juices settle before you add the creamy homemade burger sauce and toppings.
Creamy Homemade Burger Sauce
This creamy homemade burger sauce is what really pulls the whole pork burger together. It is rich, tangy and packed with little bits of pickle, with just enough seasoning to give it that classic burger-shop flavour.
We make enough to spread generously over the buns and still have extra for dipping fries. The sauce also tastes even better after sitting for 10 to 15 minutes, which gives all those flavours a little time to blend.
Ground Pork Burger with Creamy Burger Sauce and Fries
This juicy ground pork burger with creamy homemade burger sauce is the kind of dinner that really comes together once everything hits the plate. The pork burger is loaded with melted cheese, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, onion and pickles, then served with golden fries and plenty of extra sauce for dipping. The homemade burger sauce is rich, tangy and full of pickle flavour — and honestly, dipping the fries into it might be just as good as putting it on the burger.
Ground Pork Burgers with Creamy Homemade Burger Sauce
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Mixing bowl
- Small bowl for burger sauce
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Burger spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Meat thermometer
- Small whisk or spoon for mixing the sauce
Ingredients
Creamy Homemade Burger Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons dill pickles finely chopped or dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Pinch black pepper
Ground Pork Burgers
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 slices cheese your favourite varieties
- 2 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 4 slices bacon cooked until crisp
- Lettuce leaves
- Sliced white or sweet onion
- Dill pickle slices optional
- Butter or oil for toasting the buns – optional
Instructions
- Make the burger sauce. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, finely chopped dill pickles, pickle juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the burgers.
- Season the ground pork. Place the ground pork in a mixing bowl. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Shape the patties. Divide the pork mixture into 2 equal portions and shape into patties slightly wider than the hamburger buns. Press a small indentation into the centre of each patty.
- Cook the pork burgers. Heat a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on the first side. Flip and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes, or until the burgers are browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Add the cheese. During the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking, place your favourite cheese on each burger. Cover the skillet briefly if needed to help the cheese melt.
- Toast the buns. Lightly toast the sesame seed buns in the skillet or under the broiler, if desired.
- Assemble the burgers. Spread a generous layer of creamy homemade burger sauce over the buns. Add lettuce, the cheesy ground pork patties, crispy bacon, sliced onion and dill pickles.
- Serve. Top with the remaining bun and serve immediately with fries and extra homemade burger sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Do not overmix the ground pork. Mix the seasonings in just until combined so the pork burger patties stay tender and juicy.
- Shape the patties a little wider than the buns. Ground pork burgers shrink slightly as they cook.
- Use a meat thermometer. Cook the ground pork burgers until the centre reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Choose your favourite cheese. Cheddar, marble, Monterey Jack, Swiss or pepper Jack all work well. For dinner for two, using different cheeses is an easy way to personalize each burger.
- Make the burger sauce first. Giving the creamy homemade burger sauce 10 to 15 minutes to sit helps the pickle, mustard and seasonings blend together.
- Add extra pickle juice for more tang. Start with a small amount, taste, then adjust. It can quickly become too sharp.
- Toast the buns if you can. Lightly toasted sesame buns hold up better under the juicy pork burger and creamy sauce.
- Make extra sauce. The homemade burger sauce is excellent on the burger, but it is also really good as a dipping sauce for fries.
- Keep toppings cold and crisp. Add the lettuce, onion and pickles just before serving so the finished pork cheeseburgerhas a nice mix of hot, juicy and crunchy textures.
- Serve right away. These ground pork burgers with creamy homemade burger sauce are best while the patties are hot, the cheese is melted and the bacon is still crisp.