• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Dennis
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • My Recipes
  • On the Road
  • Ask Chef Dennis
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • My Recipes
  • On the Road
  • Ask Chef Dennis
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
×
Home » Recipes » The Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger

The Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger

September 2, 2020 by Chef Dennis Littley 40 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
89shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
pinterest image for pulled pork cheeseburger

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”.

This post was sponsored by Mirum. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

3 Cheeseburgers with pulled pork, barbecue sauce and blue cheese crumbles on seeded buns on a white platter with omeprazole ODT box and tablet

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.

The sad truth is there was a time that burgers weren’t on the list of foods I could eat. For more years than I care to remember I suffered from chronic heartburn. And I’m not alone—high-fat foods are one of the top three causes of heartburn, according to 2018 heartburn consumer research by C+R Research/Perrigo.

Of course, as many of us do, I’d cheat and eat the foods that made me uncomfortable and caused me to suffer from the pain that came with my heartburn. It was no fun being a chef that couldn’t indulge in his favorite foods.

But I made the smart decision and started treating my heartburn daily with Omeprazole Orally Disintegrating Tablets. And there’s no more looking for water to take my pills… that’s the old way to take heartburn medicine.


Omeprazole ODT melts in your mouth, no water needed. I wish I had these when I worked at my restaurants, it would have made life so much easier (and enjoyable).

Omeprazole ODT box, package and pill on a wooden cutting board

Now you can find it online and in stores under the store brand label. Eight out of 10 Omeprazole users prefer an Orally Disintegrating Tablet* to get relief from their symptoms.

Made for frequent heartburn sufferers who experience symptoms 2 or more days per week, Omeprazole Orally Disintegrating Tablets provide long-lasting 24-hour protection! Bonus: you don’t even need a glass of water, as the strawberry-flavored tablet dissolves right on your tongue.

Do not chew it or dissolve it in liquid—just put it on your tongue and let it do all the work.

Take one dose daily for 14 days according to package directions. Don’t take Omeprazole Orally Disintegrating Tablets for more than 14 days unless directed by your doctor. Omeprazole ODT may take 1-4 days for full effect and is not intended for immediate relief.

What do I need to make the Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger?

ingredients to make a Pulled Pork Cheeseburger with barbecue sauce and bleu cheese on a wooden cutting board

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.

4 hamburgers brushed with worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper

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.

burgers with melted cheese and toasted buns on a white platter

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!

4 Cheeseburgers topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce and bleu cheese crumbles on a white platter

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.

Pulled Pork Cheeseburger on a seeded bun cut in half with pasta salad on a bed of spinach on a white plate

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.

view of Cheeseburger cut in half with pulled pork, barbecue sauce and bleu cheese on a white plate

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!

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

Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

view of Cheeseburger cut in half with pulled pork, barbecue sauce and bleu cheese on a white plate
Print Recipe Save Saved!
5 from 32 votes

The Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger

When it comes to True American Food nothing beats a cheeseburger. And my Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger elevates Cheeseburgers to a whole new level!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Course: sandwich
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Burger, Cheeseburger, Pulled Pork
Servings: 4
Calories: 793kcal
Author: Chef Dennis Littley

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
US Customary – Metric

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

Calories: 793kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 1574mg | Potassium: 578mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 539IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 503mg | Iron: 5mg

*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.

pinterest image for pulled pork cheeseburgers

MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE!

  • Perfect Pulled Pork : Restaurant-Style Oven Roasted Pork
    Perfect Pulled Pork : Restaurant-Style Oven Roasted Pork
  • Cowboy Fried Rice with Pulled Pork & Chili Beans
    Cowboy Fried Rice with Pulled Pork & Chili Beans
  • Ultimate Nachos for the Big Game Get-Togethers
    Ultimate Nachos for the Big Game Get-Togethers
  • Bürgenstock Resort in Lucerne Switzerland : The Ultimate Luxury Resort
    Bürgenstock Resort in Lucerne Switzerland : The…

About Chef Dennis

Picture of Chef Dennis

Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    September 08, 2020 at 2:37 am

    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!

    Reply
  2. Swathi

    September 07, 2020 at 4:33 pm

    This pulled pork cheeseburger looks delicous perfect treat for any day. my kids will love it.

    Reply
  3. sapana

    September 07, 2020 at 8:00 am

    They look absolutely perfectly made cheeseburger. Perect summer grilling recipe. I will try these burgers with mince soya as I am a vegetarian.

    Reply
  4. Mirlene

    September 07, 2020 at 6:38 am

    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.

    Reply
  5. Maren

    September 06, 2020 at 9:25 pm

    This looks so good!

    Reply
  6. Capri

    September 06, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    This is such a perfect comfort meal! So good!

    Reply
  7. Ramona

    September 06, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    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!

    Reply
  8. Amanda Marie Boyle

    September 06, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Looks so good. I have a giant bowl of leftover pulled pork in my fridge and I can’t wait to try this.

    Reply
  9. Genevieve from @fittyfoodlicious

    September 06, 2020 at 5:31 am

    These pulled pork cheeseburgers look scumptious and perfect for fall! I adore burgers, I need a delicious burger atleast once a month.

    Reply
  10. Jacqueline Debono

    September 05, 2020 at 1:10 pm

    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!

    Reply
  11. Jar of Lemons

    September 05, 2020 at 11:48 am

    Fantastic Recipe full of flavor!!

    Reply
  12. Kushigalu

    September 05, 2020 at 11:09 am

    Drooling over This delicious cheeseburger. Love the flavors here. I would love to try this version for my family soon

    Reply
  13. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

    September 05, 2020 at 9:38 am

    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.

    Reply
  14. Stine Mari

    September 05, 2020 at 1:53 am

    This is such a helpful post! Now anyone can become grill masters. This pulled pork cheeseburger is so juicy and delicious!

    Reply
  15. Emily

    September 04, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    This really is the ultimate cheeseburger! I love the addition of pulled pork and blue cheese! Delicious!

    Reply
  16. Gail Montero

    September 04, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    These pulled pork cheeseburgers could feed a crowd and is perfect for a Labor Day party! Glad I found this yummy recipe to try!

    Reply
  17. Tamara

    September 04, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    This pulled pork burger was amazing!

    Reply
  18. Laura

    September 04, 2020 at 10:44 am

    Delivers on the promise!

    Reply
  19. Ruth I

    September 04, 2020 at 10:19 am

    Oh I love burgers! This is absolutely a dish I would love to try, looks so good!

    Reply
  20. Debra

    September 04, 2020 at 8:22 am

    Wow….some great tips for this colossal burger…including how to avoid heartburn. Love it!

    Reply
  21. Alexandra

    September 04, 2020 at 3:02 am

    I can never resist a good burger, but wow were these good! The family have requested that I make them again next week!

    Reply
  22. Catalina

    September 04, 2020 at 3:01 am

    Who can resist to a cheeseburger like this! It is definitely the best!

    Reply
  23. Kita Bryant

    September 04, 2020 at 12:50 am

    This is such a killer burger idea. I would really love to have some of this.

    Reply
  24. Robyn

    September 03, 2020 at 11:40 pm

    These burgers are amazing! A firm family favourite

    Reply
  25. kerri

    September 03, 2020 at 8:47 pm

    Dennis, these were incredible. We’ve been looking for a way to amp up our burgers and this really hit the spot!

    Reply
  26. Lesli Schwartz

    September 03, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    Wow! This is the ultimate mash-up cheeseburger! So perfect for the holiday weekend!

    Reply
  27. Fred N

    September 03, 2020 at 5:07 pm

    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!

    Reply
  28. Leslie

    September 03, 2020 at 2:11 pm

    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!!

    Reply
  29. Taleen | Just As Tasty

    September 03, 2020 at 1:03 pm

    Oh wow! I love pulled pork but have never thought to have it this way. Delicious!

    Reply
  30. dina

    September 03, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    Oh my goodness that looks delicious! The only time I have to take that is when I eat fried foods. Whew!

    Reply
  31. Lois

    September 03, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    Now that is a good cheeseburger, i don’t care what anyone says.

    Reply
  32. Lynndee

    September 03, 2020 at 11:24 am

    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.

    Reply
  33. heather

    September 03, 2020 at 10:21 am

    My mouth is watering! This sandwich looks incredible. My husbands birthday is coming up and I think this might be the perfect birthday meal

    Reply
  34. Jennifer Van Haitsma

    September 03, 2020 at 7:34 am

    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.

    Reply
  35. Margarita Ibbott @DownshiftingPRO

    September 03, 2020 at 6:54 am

    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!

    Reply
  36. Gervin Khan

    September 03, 2020 at 5:44 am

    You never failed us giving a delicious and an easy recipe. Seeing this one really makes my mouthwatering!YUM!

    Reply
  37. Marta

    September 02, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    Oh this looks absolutely perfect, Dennis! I feel as though it was made for me since it’s everything I love in a burger!

    Reply
  38. Amber Myers

    September 02, 2020 at 5:13 pm

    I am drooling. This is perfect for labor day. I might have to make this over the weekend!

    Reply
  39. Pam Wattenbarger

    September 02, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    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.

    Reply
  40. Nyxie

    September 02, 2020 at 1:11 pm

    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!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar


I'm Chef Dennis and Welcome to my Culinary Journey where I share my Restaurant-Style Recipes & Travel Adventures. My goal in sharing my recipes and cooking tips is to make you feel more comfortable in your kitchen, and help you find the joy of cooking! 

More about me →

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

MOST POPULAR POSTS

  • The Best Tiramisu You Will Ever Make
  • How to Dry Brine and Roast a Turkey Perfectly – A Chef’s Secret Recipe
  • Oven Roasted Rack of Pork – Restaurant Style Dinner
  • Pineapple Butter Cake Recipe – Chef Dennis
  • Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
  • The Original Pumpkin Crunch Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – My Holiday Tradition

GET GRILLING

  • Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers Recipe
  • Grilled Dry Rub Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
  • Restaurant Style Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Caponata
  • Grilled Alaskan Rockfish with Grilled Shrimp
  • Nicoise Salad with Grilled Shrimp
  • Dry Rub Grilled Baby Back Ribs : Step by Step Process

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Recipe Index

  • Recipe Index

© 2009-2021 · Ask Chef Dennis · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Statement

Proud Member of:
Mediavine Publisher Network