Thursday, August 19, 2010

Chipotle Pork Cheeseburgers


It's funny how recipes come your way sometimes.  Last week I was working with a friend and he was telling me that his daughter was home for a couple of weeks from school and doing some cooking for he and his wife.  He was raving about the pork and Muenster cheeseburgers that she had made the night before and how the pork was mixed with chipotle, grilled with melted Muenster cheese and served with avocado and tomatillo slices.  Pork cheeseburgers???


But, due to his exuberance about the recipe, I assumed my husband would also like them and immediately got on the computer and did a quick search for the recipe and made them this week.


My friend was absolutely right - they are wonderful!  A great change from the usual beef burgers on the grill with a surprising smokey-spicy flavor.  The mayo and avocado add just enough creaminess to balance the heat of the chipotles and the sliced tomatillo added a wonderful, cool crunch. I didn't add the cilantro garnish - just a personal preference. I added more chipotles than the original recipe called for and even added a little adobo sauce to the mayonnaise.



Chipotle-Cheese Pork Burgers

Adapted from Gourmet
Photo Credit Gourmet.com












Printable Recipe

Serves 2-4 depending on the size you make the burgers and the appetites of those your are serving. I prefer 1/3 pound per person.

1 pound regular ground pork (not extra lean)
3 teaspoons minced chipotle pepper in adobo* plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce (this is more than the original recipe calls for)
2 garlic cloves, forced through a garlic press
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-4 slices Muenster cheese
2-4 hamburger buns, toasted

Garnish:

1/4 cup mayonnaise with 1 teaspoon adobe sauce added
1 large tomatillo (1/4 pound), husked and rinsed, then sliced thin
1/2 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup cilantro sprigs (optional)

Preheat a outdoor grill or grill pan on the stovetop to medium heat. In a medium bowl, add the ground pork, diced chipotles and adobe sauce, minced garlic, and salt and gently mix together just until combined. Form into patties.

Oil grill rack or pan and grill patties, covered, 4-5 minutes. Flip patties over and grill another 4-5 minutes. Top with a slice of cheese and grill just until cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes more and remove to a plate.

Spread buns with mayonnaise and assemble burgers with tomatillo, avocado, and cilantro (optional).

Chipotles in Adobo sauce can be found in the Hispanic aisle of your grocery store near the other chili peppers. They have a wonderful, smoky-tangy flavor.

36 comments:

  1. Great recipe:) Your pictures are wonderful!

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  2. I was drooling too at the list of ingredients and the pics! I love pork and I lov chipotle and the combo in a burger sounds wonderful ~ can't wait to try it asap

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  3. Pork and chipotle flavors marry very well together. I'm saving this recipe for sure.

    :)
    ButterYum

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  4. Thanks for doing the "printable" recipes!

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  5. These do sound absolutely amazing!! Now I'm starving :) Love the avocado and tomatillo topping :)

    Sues

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  6. I've been cooking more and more lately with ground pork in place of beef. I credit Sendik's for that. these look absolutely yummy. I'm making a list for Labor day weekend!

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  7. la foto è talmente bella che mi mangerei lo schermo!!!Complimenti Susan!!!!

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  8. These sound fantastic!! I have never eaten a raw tomatillo... Can't wait to try your burger!!

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  9. Ya gotta love the pig:@) This sounds really good and I'm going to share it with a friend who I know will love it too-thanks!

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  10. Okay- these look fabulous. Printing this out!
    xoxo Pattie

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  11. They look amazing, Susan! Love the combination of flavors, and I will follow your cue and add the mayo to the mix!

    Will have to try tomatillo's on my burger next time, never had them raw!

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  12. We always mix pork with other meats for burgers but have never tried it alone. These look so good. Love the flavors.

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  13. I'd have to skip the spicy part, but they def sound tasty! I bet the mayo added to the flavor in the burger!

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  14. mmm sounds great! YOu have a beautiful blog here!

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  15. oh wow great burgers but all your food is yummy over here

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  16. I love this recipe and will try it. Thanks.

    Plan B

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  17. That burger looks yummy! I've never had raw tomatillo- it looks cool and crunchy! Thanks!

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  18. I am a huge hamburger fan! And this pork and chipolte sound delicious together for a burger. The sauce sound wonderful too!
    I have never made anything with a tomatillo. I'd like to try that.
    Your pictures look mouthwatering.
    Yvonne

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  19. This sounds like it would be a hit with my family.
    Mimi

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  20. We are BURGER eaters!! These look terrific :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  21. I love chipotle flavored anything! These look and sound fantastic! Thanks!

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  22. Thank you all for your kind comments! Hubby has asked me to make them again on Sunday :)

    Yes, Becky - Sendiks is the best! Ray's Butcher Shop on Loomis also has wonderful meat. When I'm shopping for a special occasion, I'll compare both for price and quality.

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  23. Look really yummy and nice pic! gloria

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  24. Great idea to add a slice of tomatillo. My husband would love pork burgers!

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  25. I just love chipotle flavor in everything.. pork burgers are a fabulous idea... a great change from beef... and tomatillo would just brighten it up in a special way.... thanks for the great recipe!

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  26. I never would have thought of this, but now that I see the recipe it sounds delicious! My husband would love to see this on a plate:)

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  27. Well, i'm hungry now...thk, Susan!

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  28. The chipotle makes this so much better.This is so delicious.I hope you won't mind,I'd love to guide Foodista readers to this post.Just add the foodista widget to the end of this post and it's all set, Thanks!

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  29. Thank you, Alisa! I added the widget to this post.

    Thank you, once again, for all of your kind comments! This really is a tasty recipe and I hope you give it a try.

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  30. These look awesome. I love the addition of the tomatillo. They are so tangy :-)

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  31. This sounds delicious--and a perfect companion for a grilled corn recipe I just found on another favorite blog.
    I want to make the most of the grilling days left before the winter winds blow and this sounds like it might "star" more than once.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  32. Word of mouth is definitely one of the best ways to find new recipes. This one looks like a keeper for sure! The spicy chipotles and delicious pork..mmm.

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  33. I'm saving this recipe for sure,great photos Susan, kisses...

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  34. Mmm....these look as delicious as they sound! I'm not a huge fan of pork burgers- I usually go for beef, but these look so good!

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  35. Great sounding recipe - sounds like it is a "man" pleaser too!

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