Grilled Pork Burgers with Bacon Onion Jam

Looking for a next level burger experience? Here it is.

Cut: Lean Ground, Bacon
Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Number of Servings: 6

Ingredients

Burgers:

• 1 lb (0.5 kg) lean ground pork

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) finely chopped red onion

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) fine dry breadcrumbs

• 1 egg, slightly beaten

• 1 Tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp (5 mL) EACH salt and ground black pepper

• 6 hamburger buns, sliced

• 3 Tbsp (45 mL) crumbled blue cheese for garnish (optional)

• Suggested toppings: Lettuce leaves, tomato slices, red onion slices, cooked bacon

Bacon Onion Jam:

• 1-(12 oz/375 g) package bacon, coarsely chopped

• 3 cups (375 mL) chopped red onions

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 bay leaf

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) apple juice

• 1/3 cup (75 mL) water

• 1/4 cup (60 mL) balsamic vinegar

• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) whisky

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) packed dark brown sugar

• Dash ground cayenne pepper

Directions

For the burgers:

1. In large bowl, gently combine ground pork with onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, mustard, salt and pepper; do not overmix.

2. Form into 6 patties.

3. Preheat barbecue on high; reduce heat to medium. Grill patties 6-8 minutes per side or until instant-read thermometer registers 160°F (71 °C).

4. Serve in buns with your favourite toppings and condiments. Or, top with Bacon Onion Jam (recipe below) and garnish with crumbled blue cheese if desired.

For the jam:

• In large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

• Remove all but 1 Tbsp fat from skillet. Add onions, garlic and bay leaf. Cook and stir until onions are softened, 2-3 minutes.

• Add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine until sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.

• Reduce heat. Simmer until liquid is syrupy, about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of skillet.

• Remove skillet from heat. Allow mixture to cool slightly.

• Remove bay leaf. Transfer mixture to a food processor; pulse just until no large pieces of bacon or onion remain.

Note: Bacon onion jam can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Use as a condiment on hamburgers and grilled meats. It’s also a great accompaniment to a platter of assorted cheeses and livens up a cream cheese smothered bagel.

Makes: 1 1/2 - 2 cups (375 - 500 mL)

Nutritional Analysis

YIELD:

6 servings
 

SERVING SIZE:

per burger

Per Serving
Calories	660
Total Fat	31 g
Saturated Fat	14 g
Cholesterol	165 mg
Carbohydrates	68 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugars	11 g
Protein	24 g
Sodium	1040 mg
Potassium	288 mg

Source: Manitoba Pork