Pork and apples are a classic combination and so are apples and cheddar cheese. This recipe combines all those great flavors into a delicious pork and apple cheddar cheeseburger. The finely shredded red cabbage that the burger is topped with adds a nice crunchy texture. The sweetness of the apples that have cooked down and the classic pork sage flavor will make this a family favorite in your home.
The best way to be certain pork burgers are cooked through is to get them crispy and browned on the stovetop and then finish them in a hot oven. This way, you can add your cheese halfway through the oven cooking, thereby ensuring the cheese melts into a gorgeous gooey mess. The sharper the Cheddar, the better.
Some kids may not be fans of Dijon mustard, so substitute theirs with a mustard that they are fond of – and be generous with the Dijon for the adults!
Pork and Apple Cheddar Cheeseburger Recipe
Makes 4 cheeseburgers
Ingredients
1lb ground pork
1 small red onion, finely diced
1t garlic powder
1t onion powder
1⁄2 t ground cumin
1⁄2 t salt
freshly ground pepper
4 large sage leaves, finely chopped
1 very large apple
squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
2T olive oil
4 hamburger buns
4 lettuce leaves
4 slices of sharp Cheddar cheese
1⁄2 cup finely shredded red cabbage
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Make the patties
Combine the ground pork with the finely diced onion, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, ground pepper and finely chopped sage. Divide into 4 portions and use your hands to shape into equal-sized patties. Set aside.
Peel and core the apple and slice into 1⁄4 inch rounds. You should yield 8 (two for each burger). Toss in lemon juice if you want to avoid discoloration. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and cook the apples on a low heat until softened and caramelized. This can take up to 15 minutes. If the pan dries out, add a dash of water or apple cider vinegar to the pan.
In a separate pan, heat the second tablespoon of olive oil and fry the pork patties for 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned. They will not be cooked through, so remove each one from the pan and place on an oven safe tray. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, then remove the tray and top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese. Return the tray to the oven to finish cooking and to allow the cheese to melt. This should take an additional 10 minutes.
Assemble the burgers
In the meantime, spread equal amounts of mustard on both halves of the hamburger buns and place the lettuce on the bottom half. Divide the cooked patties between the four hamburger buns, topping with the cooked apples and the red cabbage. Serve immediately.
