Homemade burgers are juicy, easy to make and absolutely delicious. These yummy pork and apple burgers make a tasty alternative to the classic beef.
We pretty much always make burgers. I can’t remember the last time we bought them in. They are so easy to make, and homemade always tastes much better than store-bought.
They are usually healthier, too, and you can add your favourite toppings and sides for a delicious family dinner.
While we eat tons of beef burgers, pork and apple is a classic flavour combination, and these easy pork and apple burgers make a fab alternative.
Why I Love Pork and Apple Burgers
I love these apple and pork burgers, and I hope you do too because:
- Pork is an excellent source of protein and low in saturated fat.
- Pork is a fairly mild flavour, so you can taste the sweet, tangy flavour of the apples.
- Grated apple means that the texture is still great.
- You can use any apples.
- The burger patties themselves are made with only three ingredients.
- Using mustard means that you don’t need an egg, breadcrumbs, or anything else to bind the meat.
- It’s a super easy pork and apple burgers recipe, and the reasonably mild flavour means the kids love it.
- Homemade burgers cook really quickly and don’t need much prep.
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Ingredients For Pork and Apple Burgers
You can add toppings and sauces of your choice, but for the basic pork burgers, you just need:
Burger Buns – Any kind you like is fine. I prefer just plain white buns.
Cooking Spray – Or olive oil.
Pork Mince – I typically use a 5% fat, lean pork mince.
Dijon Mustard
Apples – Just regular eating apples. Any kind you like is fine.
Then I add mayo, lettuce, tomato, and sometimes cheese. Add what you like.
What Sauce Goes with Pork and Apple Burgers?
Personally, I like mayo with these burgers. You can add burger sauce, ketchup, or even apple sauce instead.
You’ll Also Need
When I make pork burgers with apples, I use a large non-stick frying pan, a spatula, a peeler and a cheese grater to prepare the apples.
I also use an old lid lined with clingfilm to press my burgers. You can also use a burger press or just shape the patties with your hands.
If you prefer to bake your burgers in the oven, you’ll need a baking tray instead of a frying pan.
How to Make Pork and Apple Burgers – Step-by-Step Instructions
Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step One
Place the pork mince in a large mixing bowl.
Step Two
Peel the apples and grate them into the bowl. Grate as close to the core as you can.
Step Three
Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
Step Four
Use your hands to mix the ingredients, kneading until it comes together into a ball and the apple bits are evenly distributed.
Step Five
Shape the burgers into four equal patties (if you weigh them, they should be about 160g), making sure they are nice and compact by really pressing the meat together tightly.
You can use your hands to do this, but a burger press is better if you want a nice, neat shape.
I actually line an old lid with cling film and press the burger mix into it before wrapping.
Step Six
Place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until you need them.
Step Seven
Mist a large frying pan with cooking spray and warm over medium heat on the hob.
Step Eight
Add the pork and apple burger patties and fry for around 5 minutes on each side, flipping carefully.
Step Nine
If desired, add sliced cheese for the last few minutes.
Step Ten
Serve on burger rolls straight from the pan, with toppings and sauces of choice. I recommend mayo and lettuce.
Top Tips
Making burgers is really easy, so I don’t have too many tips!
- Press the meat together so it’s nice and tight. This will help it stay together.
- Make sure the pan is warm before you add the patties.
- You can cut one in half to make sure it’s cooked through but don’t overcook, or your burgers will dry out.
Serving Suggestions – What to Serve with Pork and Apple Burgers
I serve pork and apple burgers with homemade potato wedges and sometimes corn on the cob, salad, and coleslaw.
You can also serve it with chips, rice, sweet potato wedges, any of your favourite burger sides, and things like burger sauce.
Pork and Apple Burgers with Cheese
If you like a cheeseburger, you’d probably enjoy cheese on these.
The flavour is fairly mild, so I think a simple cheddar works well. Add thin slices for the last minute or two of cooking so that it gets time to melt.
Toppings and Sauces for Pork Burgers with Apple
I add mayo. I think pork and apple is weird with ketchup! Then, usually just lettuce and tomato. You can add pretty much anything you like, though.
Variations
You can use different apples if you want to, but the only other variation really is what you use to bind the burgers together. Mustard works well (I use horseradish for beef burgers), and Dijon is quite mild, so it complements the pork and apple flavours well.
But if you don’t like mustard, there are other options.
Making Pork and Apple Burgers Without Mustard
If you skip the mustard, you’ll need something else to bind the meat together so that the burgers don’t fall apart as you cook them.
But you’ll also lose the flavour of the mustard. I recommend adding a teaspoon of something like sage or rosemary, a good pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper for extra flavour. You can also add finely chopped onions, but I never think these burgers need it.
You could also add some apple sauce to your buns to heighten the flavour.
Using Egg to Bind Burgers
Egg is a great option, which holds the meat together well. Just crack it in when you add the apples and use your hands to knead the mixture into a ball, like in this recipe.
Using Breadcrumbs to Bind Burgers
Breadcrumbs are another option. 50g of either fresh or dried breadcrumbs added with the apples will work.
Baking Pork Burgers in the Oven
If you’d rather not fry your burgers, bake on an oiled baking tray for around 15 minutes at 180 degrees C (fan-assisted). Just make sure they are cooked through before serving and return to the oven if needed.
Alternatively, grill under medium heat for around 5 minutes on each side.
Leftovers
Leftover burgers can be kept for 2-3 days and reheated slowly in the oven, pan or microwave. Make sure they are piping hot in the middle before serving.
Serve on rolls or cut into slices with rice, pasta, or salad.
Storage
Leave your leftover burgers to cool before wrapping or placing them in an airtight container and placing them in the fridge.
Can You Freeze Pork and Apple Burgers?
Yes, as long as your meat is in date, you can freeze your pork and apple burgers, either raw or cooked.
Can You Cook Pork and Apple Burgers from Frozen?
No, I recommend thawing fully in the fridge before cooking.
FAQ
Homemade pork burgers are typically healthier than store-bought. But how healthy they are will depend on your ingredients and how you serve your burgers.
Calorie-wise, pork and beef burgers tend to be reasonably similar (depending on the type you use and its fat content). But pork typically has more protein and less saturated fat. These burgers also have apples for extra nutrition.
No, this recipe uses mustard to bind the burgers. When I make beef burgers, I use horseradish. I don’t think I’ve ever used an egg.
A burger press is great, but you can make burgers with your hands as long as you make sure the meat is really pressed together.
Other Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe for pork and apple burgers, you might also like:
- Easy Burger Buns
- Mushroom and Halloumi Burgers
- Chicken and Halloumi Burgers
- Minted Lamb Burgers
- Cajun Halloumi Burgers
- Haggis Burgers
- Pork and Apple Casserole
- Pork and Cider Casserole
Recipe Card
Pork and Apple Burgers
Ingredients
- 500 g Pork Mince
- 2 Eating Apples
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- Cooking Spray
- 4 Burger Buns
- Mayo (cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and other toppings of choice)
Instructions
- Place the pork mince in a large mixing bowl.
- Peel the apples and grate them into the bowl.
- Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
- Use your hands to mix the ingredients, kneading until it comes together into a ball and the apple is evenly distributed.
- Shape the burgers into four equal patties using your hands or a burger press.
- Wrap in clingfilm and place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until you need them.
- Mist a large frying pan with cooking spray and warm over medium heat on the hob.
- Add the pork and apple burger patties and fry for around 5 minutes on each side, flipping carefully.
- If desired, add sliced cheese for the last few minutes.
- Serve on burger rolls straight from the pan, with toppings and sauces of choice. I recommend mayo and lettuce.
Notes
- Grate the apples as close to the core as you can.
- Use a press, your hands, or something patty-shaped lined with clingfilm (I use an old lid) and make sure the meat is pressed tightly together.
- Make sure the burgers are cooked through and piping hot before serving. Return to the pan if needed.
- You can also grill for 5 minutes on each side or bake for around 15 minutes.
- See the post above for more tips and advice.
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
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