When it comes to comfort food, a burger will always be my first choice. And when it comes to burger decadence my Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger is at the top of my list of “Foods I want to devour”.
Oh, the joy of cheeseburgers…sigh. There was a time in my life when I didn’t eat red meat. I found some solace in turkey and chicken burgers, but they never came close to that meaty beefy deliciousness of a grilled burger with all the fixings.
The great thing about burgers is they play well with all types of food. I’ve seen them topped with everything from bacon to lobster. I think that’s what truly makes hamburgers the all-American food.
What do I need to make the Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger?
Now it’s time to create some deliciousness! Let’s gather the ingredients we need to make my Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger.
In chef-speak we call this the mise en place. Whether you’re making burgers or baking a cake, getting all your ingredients together before you start cooking is a good habit to get into.
Not only does it make the cooking process faster, it ensures you have everything you need to make the dish you’re creating. Nothing is worse than getting to an ingredient in the recipe to find out you don’t have it on hand.
What type of meat should I use for Burgers?
Depending upon who you ask, you’ll get a multitude of different answers. Grill masters have their own secret blend of beef to make the perfect burger. Meat grinding techniques are also important in creating the perfect burger.
That being said, it’s a lot of work for truthfully not enough results. Finding a fresh or frozen burger that works for you will still create a better burger than most restaurants will serve you.
When I look for burgers at my grocery store, I check for blended meat burgers. If they don’t have those I look for Black Angus burgers and then burgers made with ground chuck 80/20. Low-fat meats like a 90/10 blend will make for a dry tasteless burger. Fat equals flavor!
When I mention blended-meat burgers, I’m talking about a premade burger you’ll find in the fresh meat department of your grocer. A blend of chuck and brisket will add flavor to your burger. Grill masters will usually add brisket or short rib meat to their burgers to enhance the flavor.
How do I Grill the Perfect Burger?
Prepare the Burgers for Grilling
With fresh burgers keeping the meat cold is crucial to grilling a good burger. Frozen hamburgers should remain fully frozen before cooking.
Season the burgers before cooking. I like to brush the burgers with Worchester sauce and season them with sea salt and black pepper. You can do this ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until needed.
*Feel free to use any of your favorite seasonings or condiments to flavor your burgers before cooking.
Use High Heat when Grilling Meat
I’m talking seriously searing hot heat….get the picture? And that means starting with good charcoal or a very hot gas grill. You want the grill heated up to 450 – 500 degrees F before adding your patties.
High heat does wonderful things to beef. The natural sugars in the meat caramelize causing what is known as the Mallard Reaction.
The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars created by heat. Caramelization is the browning of sugar by oxidation under heat. There are small amounts of sugars in meat, that cause this reaction and give you that rich, complex flavor that we love.
There are also fats on the surface, and they contribute a lot to the flavor of the meat. When heat melts the fat and chemically alters it, the flavor is also drastically altered. Which is why I mentioned earlier that Fat = Flavor.
Always Start with a Clean Grill
Making sure your grill is clean before you start grilling anything should be your first concern. After cleaning the grill and allowing it to get hot, coat the grill by pouring cooking oil on a folded paper towel. Safely oil the grate using long-handled tongs to hold the oiled paper towels.
Now it’s time to start grilling your burgers! There are a few rules to making delicious juicy burgers on the grill.
Rule #1: Once the burger is on the grill, don’t mash it down. If you feel inclined to smash it down (unless you’re using a griddle) do it before you place the meat on the grill.
**If you have problems with the burgers bubbling up in the middle when they cook, push down with three fingers in the center of the burger before you start grilling. Making a slight indentation in the center of the meat should help solve this problem.
Rule #2: Remember how you were always told not to flip the burger more than once? Forget about it. Flipping the burger over a few times will actually help it cook more evenly. But don’t press down on the burger. Pressing on meat forces the fat and flavor out the burgers, which results in dry, bland burgers.
Rule #3: Don’t cut into the burger to see if it’s done. This will release the juices, making the burger dry and less flavorful.
**Use a digital instant-read meat thermometer to check the doneness of the burger.
How Long Should I Grill Burgers?
There are a lot of factors that can determine cooking time. But for a preheated 450 -500 degree grill with a one-inch thick patty these times should be pretty close.
- Rare burgers, cook for 4 minutes total (125°F)
- Medium-rare burgers, cook for 5 minutes total (135°F)
- Medium burgers, cook for 6 to 7 minutes total (145°F)
- Well-done burgers, cook for 8 to 9 minutes total (160 °F)
**USDA recommends not eating or tasting raw or undercooked ground beef. The safe minimum internal temperature for ground beef is 160 °F
I love toasting my hamburger buns. This is something I do after I’ve flipped the meat over but before I add the cheese to the burger.
The burger should basically be done before you add the cheese. Make sure to let the cheese melt. Melting does magical things to the flavor of cheese!
When the cheese is melted it’s time to top the burgers with our heated pulled pork, barbecue sauce and bleu cheese crumbles.
You can slow-roast a pork shoulder to make your pulled pork, or look for it prepackaged at your local grocery store. The same goes for barbecue sauce. You can make your own or use your favorite brand of sauce on the pork.
I love creating deliciousness in my kitchen, but sometimes shortcuts are a good thing. You can take all day making the ingredients for the dishes you prepare or buy good quality products that allow you to spend more time with your family and friends instead of in the kitchen.
I love my Cheeseburgers on the rare side. My wife is the polar opposite, there can’t be a trace of pink anywhere in the meat. It’s challenging for us to eat at the same time when we have burgers for dinner.
I usually let her hamburgers fully cook on one side before adding mine to the grill. Or I eat one while I’m waiting for hers to get finish cooking. A good burger is a wonderful thing and savoring it hot off the grill is how I like to eat them!
Wouldn’t you like to sink your teeth into this ah-mazing Pulled Pork Cheeseburger?
If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also like these:
- Oven Roasted Perfect Pulled Pork
- Dry Rub Grilled Baby Back Ribs
- Grilled Dry Rub Chicken Wings
- How to Grill a Steakhouse Style Steak
- The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
The Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger
Equipment
- Barbecue Grill
Ingredients
- 4 5 oz hamburger patties fresh or frozen (4-6 ounce burgers may be used)
- 8 oz pulled pork homemade or store bought
- 4 hamburger rolls your choice
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 ounces bleu cheese
- 4 tbsp barbecue sauce homemade or store-bought (I use Sweet Baby Rays)
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to 450 -500 degrees F.
- Brush the patties with Worcestershire sauce and season with sea salt and black pepper. Keep the patties in the refrigerator until you start grilling.
- Heat the pulled pork in a small pan. Add a little water to the pan so the pork doesn't dry out. You can also add some barbecue sauce to the pork, or additional seasonings. Keep warm until needed.
- Place the patties on the preheated prepared grill season side down. Cook for 4 minutes and turn the patty over to continue cooking.
- Depending upon how well done you want your burger you may turn the meat twice more. This will help the patty cook evenly.
- When the burger is almost done, place your hamburger buns on the grill to toast them.
- When the burger is at the desired doneness (use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature) place a slice of cheese on top of the burger. Allow the cheese to fully melt.
- Remove the burgers from the grill and place on a plate. Allow the burger to rest for a minute before placing it on the bun. You will get some juices flowing out of the meat. This could make the bun soggy. If you don't mind a soggy roll and want the added flavor of the juices, you can place the burger directly from the grill onto the bun.
- Top the cheeseburger with preheated pulled pork, barbecue sauce and bleu cheese crumbles. Add the top of the roll and serve.
Nutrition
*Based on a 2017 survey of heartburn sufferers who had used either national brand or store brand Omeprazole tablets within the last 12 months, 78% of survey participants responded that they would prefer an orally disintegrating tablet versus other over-the-counter (“OTC”) Omeprazole capsules or tablets to obtain heartburn relief.
Beth
We’re fortunate to be able to buy pastured beef that’s grown near where we live and always have found the 80/20 to be more flavorful than the 90/10, as you say. Love the blue cheese!
Swathi
This pulled pork cheeseburger looks delicous perfect treat for any day. my kids will love it.
sapana
They look absolutely perfectly made cheeseburger. Perect summer grilling recipe. I will try these burgers with mince soya as I am a vegetarian.
Mirlene
One can never say no to cheese burger and this pulled pork version is so juicy and delicious. My friends kept on asking for more.
Maren
This looks so good!
Capri
This is such a perfect comfort meal! So good!
Ramona
This pulled pork cheeseburgers look amazing and super juicy! I am drooling over the pictures. I have pulled pork in my fridge and this is the perfect way to use it. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Amanda Marie Boyle
Looks so good. I have a giant bowl of leftover pulled pork in my fridge and I can’t wait to try this.
Genevieve from @fittyfoodlicious
These pulled pork cheeseburgers look scumptious and perfect for fall! I adore burgers, I need a delicious burger atleast once a month.
Jacqueline Debono
Here in Italy, it’s hard to find good ready made burgers so we usually make our own. Love that you have added pulled pork and blue cheese to this burger! A real feast!
Jar of Lemons
Fantastic Recipe full of flavor!!
Kushigalu
Drooling over This delicious cheeseburger. Love the flavors here. I would love to try this version for my family soon
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
Now that’s a burger!! What a fabulous burger with so many flavors. You really nailed the cooking technique too. Saving this for Labor Day cookouts.
Stine Mari
This is such a helpful post! Now anyone can become grill masters. This pulled pork cheeseburger is so juicy and delicious!
Emily
This really is the ultimate cheeseburger! I love the addition of pulled pork and blue cheese! Delicious!
Gail Montero
These pulled pork cheeseburgers could feed a crowd and is perfect for a Labor Day party! Glad I found this yummy recipe to try!
Tamara
This pulled pork burger was amazing!
Laura
Delivers on the promise!
Ruth I
Oh I love burgers! This is absolutely a dish I would love to try, looks so good!
Debra
Wow….some great tips for this colossal burger…including how to avoid heartburn. Love it!
Alexandra
I can never resist a good burger, but wow were these good! The family have requested that I make them again next week!
Catalina
Who can resist to a cheeseburger like this! It is definitely the best!
Kita Bryant
This is such a killer burger idea. I would really love to have some of this.
Robyn
These burgers are amazing! A firm family favourite
kerri
Dennis, these were incredible. We’ve been looking for a way to amp up our burgers and this really hit the spot!
Lesli Schwartz
Wow! This is the ultimate mash-up cheeseburger! So perfect for the holiday weekend!
Fred N
You know what Chef, I’ve been through similar experiences as you. I started eating turkey and veggie burgers at some point in my life but they never cut it for me. 2 years ago I suffered severely from heart burn. Fortunately my Mom went through a similar experience so she introduced me to omeprazole. That did it for me.
The combination of pulled pork in a burger is so ingenious! Thanks for sharing!
Leslie
I was recently at a BBQ this summer when I saw a gentleman put pulled pork on top of his burger and I was immediately impressed with the idea. Now to see a recipe specifically for that idea, I’m really excited to give this a try! This is a meatlovers dream!!
Taleen | Just As Tasty
Oh wow! I love pulled pork but have never thought to have it this way. Delicious!
dina
Oh my goodness that looks delicious! The only time I have to take that is when I eat fried foods. Whew!
Lois
Now that is a good cheeseburger, i don’t care what anyone says.
Lynndee
Both my husband and son love cheeseburger. I don’t think they’ve ever had pulled pork cheeseburger, though. I bet they’ll love it.
heather
My mouth is watering! This sandwich looks incredible. My husbands birthday is coming up and I think this might be the perfect birthday meal
Jennifer Van Haitsma
My husband would love this! Also right there with you on the heartburn. I never get it normally, but I’m pregnant right now, and it’s always terrible when I’m pregnant. Even if I drink water and eat salads lol. I’ve been taking Pepcid which thankfully helps.
Margarita Ibbott @DownshiftingPRO
I hear your pain. I also suffer from acid reflux and need to manage my heartburn. I have never tried Omeprazole tablets so I’ll be sure to look out for them OTC. I appreciate the info AND the recipe!
Gervin Khan
You never failed us giving a delicious and an easy recipe. Seeing this one really makes my mouthwatering!YUM!
Marta
Oh this looks absolutely perfect, Dennis! I feel as though it was made for me since it’s everything I love in a burger!
Amber Myers
I am drooling. This is perfect for labor day. I might have to make this over the weekend!
Pam Wattenbarger
I had always heard you shouldn’t flip more than once. I’m glad to know that’s not true as sometimes our burgers cook unevenly.
Nyxie
Sounds and looks amazing! I’ve been meaning to make jackfruit ‘pulled pork’ burgers for my vegetarian friends while we have pulled pork. Apparently it looks exactly the same!