Gluten Free General Tso’s Pineapple Pork Burgers
Have you ever visited a place that inspired you to create a dish? These Gluten Free General Tso’s Pineapple Pork Burgers are inspired by a trip to Bangkok.
I can almost taste it. The burst of umami. That perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a touch of the unknown. I can feel the moist and tender bite of the pork burger as well as the juices dripping down my arms. Bangkok gave me my first pork burger, and now I am giving you my version.
All About the Toppings
I am sure at some point in all of our lives we’ve ordered General Tso’s for takeout. That combination of sweet, savory, and a little spicy mixed with the crunch of the usually fried chicken is irresistible.
These Gluten Free General Tso’s Pineapple Pork Burgers will deliver that familiar flavor while being elevated to something new. The burger itself bursts with flavor. A pop of fish sauce adds a unique kiss of salt. But the highlight of these burgers is the complex addition of Malaysian ginger curry powder. If you can’t find this blend feel free to substitute with your favorite curry blend.
As soon as you bite into these burgers, you too will be transported to somewhere else. Just image the beautiful crust on the outside of the burger. Inside you have soft, succulent tender unctuous pork.
However it’s the toppings really take this burger over the top. You’re going to decadently glaze the burger in your favorite Gluten Free General Tso’s Sauce. Next up, in all of its golden glory, a crown of crushed pineapple lending its tart and tangy sweetness. Don’t forget that sprinkle of sesame seeds for a little nuttiness and verdant bright pop of cilantro. Trust me on this, the cilantro is a must.
Building Your Gluten Free General Tso’s Pineapple Pork Burgers
Unlike beef hamburgers, pork burgers need to be cooked through. Here are my tips for cooking up the perfect pork burger.
First, be gentle when mixing your ground pork. This holds true for any ground meat. Over mixing can result in a tougher finished product while just combing the ingredients will give you a tender bite.
Next, make sure your pan and oil are fully heated before you add your patties. It’s all about that sizzle as soon as the meat hits the pan. If your pan isn’t hot enough you risk releasing liquid from your burgers and steaming them instead of building that beautiful crust that locks in moisture. For pork, you want to cook until you achieve a 160 internal temperature.
Lastly, the fun part, building your Gluten Free General Tso’s Pineapple Pork Burgers. Drizzle, brush, or pour on that sauce. Mound up the pineapple. And of course, nestle it all between your favorite Gluten Free toasted buns to catch every last juicy drip of flavor. My favorite is Canyon Bakehouse Hamburger Buns. Their flavor and texture is just like a fresh from the bakery bun.
Do you love burgers? Make sure you check out my recipe for Turkey Meatloaf Sliders with Tomato Chutney. Now let’s make Gluten Free General Tso’s Pineapple Pork Burgers!
Gluten Free General Tso’s Pineapple Pork Burgers
Equipment
- heavy large skillet
Ingredients
Pork Burgers
- 1 lbs ground pork
- 1/2 cup Gluten Free panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1/2 tsp Malaysian ginger curry, or curry powder of choice
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
Toppings
- Gluten Free General Tso's sauce
- crushed pineapple, well drained
- sesame seeds
- cilantro leaves
- Gluten Free hamburger buns, toasted
Instructions
- Mix all of the burger ingredients in a bowl until just combined.
- Form into 4 equal sized patties.
- Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
- Add the patties to the pan, careful not to crowd. Allow each side to cook 4-5 minutes until golden brown. The internal temp should be 160.
- Allow to rest 5 minutes.
- Build your burgers by brushing the burgers with General Tso's sauce, topping with crushed pineapple, sesame seeds, and cilantro. Enjoy!