Simple Spiced Pork Burgers
Served with Rutabaga Fries!
Last Fall I started buying unseasoned pork burgers from a local farmer, I would simply sprinkle both sides with some spices, slather burger buns with my spinach jalapeño pesto, add some fresh leafy greens and place it all between my favorite gluten free bun. I would usually serve it with roasted sweet and white potatoes. It was an easy healthy delicious weeknight meal. A couple weeks ago I had some unseasoned ground pork and decided to make the burgers along with the spice measurements so that I could make it into an official recipe and organize it into a blog. I paired it with rutabaga fries, instructions are included in the recipe.
The first thing I did is make a spice mixture to sprinkle on the outside of the burgers, it helps create a little crispiness on the surface of the burger. I added a beaten egg to help hold the burger together and mixed in the salt and black pepper. I have a previous blogpost with my spinach jalapeño pesto recipe that paired perfectly with this burger, you could certainly use any pesto that you have in your fridge. Additional favorite toppings for this burger is avocado and leafy greens. Cheese is optional, this burger was so flavorful that I didn’t put any cheese on mine but the hubs prefers cheese on his burgers.
As always it’s been a pleasure. Thank you again for visiting my second favorite place, Emma’s Daily Bread. Cheers to a Happy & Healthy Day!
Simple Pork Burgers Spiced With Smoked Paprika and Curry Powder
Ingredients
- 1 LB Plain Ground Pork
- 1 Egg Beaten
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Smoked Spanish Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Granules
- 1/2 tsp Onion Granules
- 1/2 tsp Curry Powder
- 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper I used 1/2 tsp since we both like a little spiciness!
- Coconut oil Used to fry the burgers
- 4 Burger Buns
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. First make the rutabaga fries and roast them while making pork burgers. You can find this root vegetable at most grocery stores and local Farmer's Markets. It's a delicious low carb alternative to white potato fries and it's just fun and good to try new foods.
- I slice the rutabaga into wedges using the same technique I use to make white or sweet roasted potatoes. Drizzle either with olive oil or my favorite bacon fat then sprinkle with salt & black pepper. Roast at 400 degree till the rutabaga are soft in the middle but crispy on the outside, approximately 30 minutes.
- While the rutabaga is roasting make the burgers. Beat one egg and mix into the ground pork along with the salt & black pepper, do not over mix.
- Heat cast iron pan to medium heat level and melt a couple tablespoons coconut oil. Place a cast iron pan on medium heat. Evenly divide pork into 4 patties, sprinkle the spice mixture on both sides of all four burgers. Place then place the burgers into the cast iron pan. Cook 4-5 minutes on each side, use meat thermometer to check temperature, I cook till burgers is at least 165 degrees.
- Layering the Burger; see recipe notes for my favorite brand of healthy burger buns. Slather some of my recipe for spinach jalapeño pesto on the bottom half of the bun, then add a couple large pieces of whatever leafy greens you have in the fridge, sliced avocado, cheese is optional. Slather either plain mayo on the top half of the bun or add more spinach jalapeño pesto, top the bun and it's complete! SO YUMMY!! And don't for get the rutabaga fries, a delicious addition to this pork burger!
Notes
- It's not always easy to find good quality burger buns, but I have found gluten & grain free buns locally at Georgetown Market & Whole Foods. My favorite brand is Unbun, it's all organic, gluten & grain free.
- Elanaspantry.com has a great keto bagel recipe that I started making for sandwiches & burgers, it's easy to make and a lot less expensive. These buns/bagels also freeze well.