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A pork burger with a sesame seed bun, lettuce, pickles, cheese, tomato, and onion slice, served with sweet potato fries on a dark plate.
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5 from 1 vote

Grilled Ground Pork Burgers with Hatch Chiles

Craft a mouthwatering grilled pork burger, stuffed with roasted hatch chiles and topped with creamy havarti cheese. This flavor-packed twist on the classic burger delivers a perfect balance of heat, smokiness, and richness in every bite.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Resting Time5 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Epic Burgers, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 368kcal
Author: Kita Roberts

Ingredients

For the ground pork patties

  • 1 hatch chiles
  • 1 lbs Ground pork
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 2 Eggs
  • ½ cup Panko or pork panko
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • ¼ tsp Granulated garlic
  • ½ tsp Chopped onion
  • ¼ tsp Ancho chile powder
  • ½ tsp Oregano
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper

For the burgers

  • Havarti cheese
  • Burger buns
  • Mayo for even more flavor, we recommend our roasted garlic aioli.
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • White onion
  • Pickles

Instructions

Roast the hatch chiles:

  • Start by roasting the hatch chiles oven a grill or burner until charred on all sides.
    1 hatch chiles
  • Wrap the pepper in foil and let them steam for 7 to 10 minutes.
  • Unrwap the foil and use your hands or a knife to peel off the charred outter skin.
  • Remove the stems, seeds and finrely chop the chile.

Make the Burgers:

  • Combine the ground pork, 1 to 2 tablespoons of the minced hatch chiles, salt, eggs, panko, and spices.
    1 lbs Ground pork, 1 tsp Kosher salt, 2 Eggs, ½ cup Panko or pork panko, 1 tsp Cumin, ¼ tsp Granulated garlic, ½ tsp Chopped onion, ¼ tsp Ancho chile powder, ½ tsp Oregano, 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • Form the ground pork into 4 ¼ pound burgers, using your thumb to press a divot in the center of each.
  • Place the burgers in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour.

Grill the Pork Burgers:

  • Meanwhile, preheat your grill for high heat, 450- 500 degrees F with direct heat. See our notes below for charcoal, gas, and pellet grills.
  • Clean and oil the grill grates.
  • Close the lid and allow the grill to preheat for 10 minutes.
  • When the grill has preheated, place the ground pork burgers on the grill grates, directly over the heat.
  • Grill the burgers for 7 to 12 minutes, flipping once, halfway through, and rotating as needed for even cooking, until they reach an international temperature of 160 degrees F with a digital meat thermometer.
  • Meanwhile toast the buns and during the last minute of cooking, add the cheese to the burgers to let it melt.
    Burger buns, Havarti cheese
  • Using a long spatula, remove the hamburgers from the grill.

Serve:

  • Build your burgers my spreading mayo on the toasted buns, then piling shredded lettuce on top.
    Mayo, Lettuce
  • Add the ground pork burgers and top with sliced onions, tomatoes, and a pickle before topping with the remaining bun half.
    Tomato, White onion, Pickles
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

According to the USDA, ground pork is safe at 165°F. Use a digital meat thermometer for the most accurate results. 
For a Gas Grill: 
  • Prep the pork patties as directed
  • Preheat your grill for direct heat. Start by lighting all the burners to high. Clean and oil your grill grate and close the lid, allowing the grill to preheat for 10 minutes. 
  • After 10 minutes, reduce the burners to medium heat and allow the grill to come to 450 - 500 degrees F. 
  • Add the patties and grill as directed. Move the burgers, if needed to avoid flare-ups. 
  • For a Charcoal Grill 
  • Prep the burger patties as directed. 
  • Prep your charcoal grill for direct heat. Light charcoal in a charcoal chimney. When the coals are 70% ashed over, arrange the coals in a single layer in the center of the grill for direct heat. Place the grill grate on top, clean it, and oil it. Cover with the lid and adjust the air vents for maximum airflow and allow the grill to preheat to 450 to 500 degrees F. 
  • Grill the burgers as directed, using a long spatula to move as needed to avoid flare ups and rotate for even cooking. 
  • We use Cowboy Brand hardwood briquets when grilling burgers for good clean flavor. 
For a Pellet Grill 
  • Prep the patties as directed. 
  • Preheat your pellet smoker to 450-500 degrees F or its highest sear setting if it can't go that high. Clean and oil the grill grate and let the grill preheat with the lid closed for 10 to 15 minutes. 
  • When the grill has preheated, grill the pork burgers as directed. 
  • We use Jack Daniel's Charcoal Pellets for that hint of charcoal flavor when grilling with our pellet smoker. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 735mg | Potassium: 426mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg