I dont think I had a Patty Melt until I was in my 20s. I had only a vague idea that they existed and thought it was a bit strange, like putting a cold hot dog on a Wonder bread. You should put the patty inside a bun if you want a burger. Are you eating it on sliced bread because you ran out of buns?
I didn’t pay attention to the Patty Melt until I saw someone else eating one at All Star Sandwich Bar in Cambridge, MA. It dawned on me that you ate a Patty Melt because it was delicious, not because buns were scarce. Its genius! A grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions and a burger patty. Beat that.
We already have a recipe for the original beef Patty Melt, so I’m not trying to beat it. Also, I made a delicious pork and fennel ragù for a shoot the other day and was craving another dish with those same flavors.
Start with ground pork. I like to grind a fatty cut of pork, like country-style pork ribs or pork shoulder, at home, but a butcher can do it for you. I like that the flavor is stronger and that it doesn’t have that rubbery texture that comes from meats that are too lean. The pork is seasoned with salt and pepper and then formed into thin, rectangular patties. Since sandwich bread is being used, it wouldn’t make sense to form the pork into a round patty, would it? The patties are cooked until crispy and then set aside while a pile of sliced onions and fennel is sautéed in butter until soft and caramelized. You can add heat with red pepper flakes and sharp acidity with a few tablespoons of malt vinegar. The acidity will balance out the sweetness of the vegetables and cut through the fattiness of the pork and cheese.
To put it all together, butter-fried bread slices are topped with cheese, the fennel and onion mixture, and the patty. The whole thing is then grilled until golden. This pork patty melt is almost too good to eat. It’s buttery on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and dripping with sweet onions and fennel.
Note: You can use pre-packaged ground pork in this recipe, but I like to use cut pork with more fat, like shoulder or boneless country-style pork ribs. Grind the pork at home, or have your butcher do it for you.
Frozen pork patties are a pantry staple that many home cooks keep on hand for quick and easy meals. But plain old pork patties on a bun can get boring after a while. With a little creativity these versatile frozen patties can be transformed into so many more exciting dishes.
In this article, I’ll share 15 delicious meals you can make starting with frozen pork patties From soups and salads to skillet dinners, these recipes prove pork patties are anything but boring. Let’s get cooking!
Quick and Easy Meals with Pork Patties
If you’re short on time, frozen pork patties can help you whip up a fast and tasty meal. Here are some quick and easy dinner ideas:
- Pork patty quesadillas – Cook patties, slice and stuff into a tortilla with cheese, salsa, avocado.
- Pulled pork sandwiches – Simmer patties in bbq sauce then shred and pile onto buns.
- Pork patty salad – Cook patties, slice and serve over greens with ranch dressing.
- Pork patty ramen – Simmer patties in broth then add to ramen noodles.
With just a few extra ingredients you can transform pork patties into fast family-friendly meals. They’re great to have on hand for busy weeknights.
Soups and Salads Using Pork Patties
Beyond sandwiches and burgers, pork patties can star in hearty main dish soups and salads.
- Pork and cabbage soup – Simmer patties in chicken broth with cabbage and veggies.
- Pork patty noodle soup – Shred cooked patties and add to chicken noodle soup.
- Soba noodle salad – Chill cooked patties, slice and add to soba noodles, cucumber, carrots.
- Warm pork salad – Cooked, sliced patties served over spinach with bacon, egg, blue cheese crumbles.
These satisfying soups and salads give pork patties a starring role in lighter, healthier meals. They make great leftovers for lunch the next day too.
Skillet Dinners with Pork Patties
One-skillet dinners are a weeknight lifesaver. Here are some easy skillet meals built around pork patties:
- Pork fried rice – Dice and stir fry patties with rice, egg, peas and soy sauce.
- Pork patty stir fry – Slice and stir fry patties with veggies and teriyaki sauce.
- Sheet pan meal – Roast veggies and patties together on a sheet pan for easy cleanup.
- Pork patty fajitas – Cook sliced patties with bell peppers and onion, serve in tortillas.
frozen pork pattie cheesy biscuit – 325×211
With just a skillet or sheet pan, you can whip up a fast and tasty dinner. The options are endless!
Elevated Dinner Entrees with Pork Patties
If you have a little more time, try one of these elevated entrees starring pork patties:
- Pork patty pot pie – Make a creamy sauce and bake under a puff pastry crust.
- Pork patty banh mi – Stuff patties into crusty Vietnamese baguette with veggies and spicy mayo.
- Pork patty tacos – Dice and season patties for tasty street taco filling.
- Pork patty pizza – Top pizza crust with sauce, cheese and sliced, cooked patties.
These gourmet takes on pork patties make them the star of a restaurant-worthy meal. Perfect for a fun family dinner or date night in.
Transform into Sausage for Breakfast
Pork patties can stand in for sausage patties to create easy breakfast dishes:
- Breakfast sandwiches – Cook patties and serve on an English muffin with egg and cheese.
- Breakfast casserole – Bake diced patties into a egg and potato casserole.
- Breakfast tacos – Warm tortillas, add cooked crumbled patties, egg, cheese and salsa.
- Sausage gravy – Make a flavorful milk gravy with crumbled and cooked patties.
With their mild seasoning, pork patties work perfectly in place of sausage for fast and delicious breakfasts.
International Flair with Pork Patties
Think beyond the bun and give pork patties an international twist:
- Cuban sandwiches – Layer sliced patties with ham, swiss, pickles and mustard on Cuban bread.
- Banh mi sandwiches – Stuff patties into a Vietnamese baguette with pickled veggies and spicy mayo.
- Gyoza – Dice and fill Japanese dumplings along with cabbage and ginger. Pan fry until crisp.
- Empanadas – Fill dough pockets with seasoned ground pork patty filling and bake until golden.
These global inspired dishes showcase pork patties in exciting new ways. They’re perfect for a cultural cuisine night or potluck.
Kid-Friendly Meals with Pork Patties
Kids love dishes they can pick up and eat with their hands. Here are some winning pork patty meals for picky eaters:
- Pork sliders – Top mini burger buns with patty slices, cheese and ketchup.
- Pork bites – Cut patties into nugget sized pieces, coat in panko and bake.
- Pigs in a blanket – Roll pieces of patty and cheese inside crescent roll dough.
- Patty melts – Grilled cheese sandwich with a patty inside.
frozen pork patty bites in cooking oil on rack – 325×217.jpg
These hand-held pork patty meals will be a hit with kids and adults alike. Fast, fun finger food perfect for kids.
Creative Appetizers Featuring Pork Patties
Pork patties aren’t just for dinner. Dress them up for fun bite-sized appetizers:
- Pork belly skewers – Thread patty chunks and pineapple onto skewers for sweet and savory kabobs.
- Pork potstickers – Fill wonton wrappers with seasoned ground pork patties and pan fry.
- Prosciutto wraps – Wrap patty pieces with prosciutto and toast until crispy.
- Pork lettuce wraps – Dice and stir fry patties for DIY lettuce wrap filling.
With some creative adaptations, pork patties make tasty party starters or game day snacks.
Satisfying Soups and Stews with Pork Patties
Simmered in flavorful liquid, pork patties can transform ordinary soups and stews into hearty main dish meals.
- Pork and vegetable stew – Simmer diced patties with veggies like potatoes, carrots and green beans.
- Ramen noodle soup – Add cooked ground pork and spices to ramen for a protein packed meal.
- Pork patty chili – Brown patties and simmer in tomato based chili with beans and spices.
- Wonton soup – Float wontons stuffed with pork patties in chicken broth.
These satisfying one-pot meals are budget friendly and easy to double for meal prepping.
Savory Sauces and Sides with Pork Patties
Beyond the main dish, pork patties can provide flavorful sauces and sides.
- Pork gravy – Use patties as the base for hearty sausage gravy over biscuits.
- Dirty rice – Cook patties with spices, add to rice with chicken livers.
- Stuffing – Dice and mix patties into Thanksgiving stuffing for extra pork flavor.
- Hash – Cook diced patties into potatoes along with peppers and onion.
Elevate ordinary side dishes by incorporating tasty pork patties into the mix.
Sweet Treats Featuring Pork Patties
Savory pork patties may seem like an unlikely ingredient for desserts, but their mild flavor can pair wonderfully with sweet ingredients.
- Pork patty dumplings – Fill dumplings with diced patties and dried fruit or chocolate chips.
- Banana spring rolls – Wrap banana slices and patty pieces in rice paper for fried hand pies.
- Pork roast cocoons – Wrap chilled patties around pudding or fruit filling.
- Sweet potato sliders – Top mini buns with pork patty and candied sweet potatoes.
Surprise your guests by working pork patties into your next dessert spread. Sweet and savory bliss!
Freezer-Friendly Pork Patty Meals
One final bonus tip – many of the meals above can be prepped ahead of time and frozen for future enjoyment! Just cool completely before freezing:
- Fully assembled sandwiches, fajitas or tacos
- Pre-cut stir fry ingredients
- Formed meatballs, dumplings or egg rolls
- Soups
Special Equipment
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 982 | Calories |
| 75g | Fat |
| 21g | Carbs |
| 55g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 982 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 75g | 97% |
| Saturated Fat 39g | 194% |
| Cholesterol 246mg | 82% |
| Sodium 630mg | 27% |
| Total Carbohydrate 21g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 8% |
| Total Sugars 11g | |
| Protein 55g | |
| Vitamin C 9mg | 44% |
| Calcium 833mg | 64% |
| Iron 2mg | 14% |
| Potassium 779mg | 17% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Pork Patty Melts Recipe
- 1 pound ground pork (see notes)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 of a big yellow onion, cut into thin slices from pole to pole (about 2 cups)
- 1-fennel bulb, peeled, cored, and cut into thin slices (about 2 cups)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons malt vinegar
- 8 slices sturdy white sandwich bread
- 12 slices Swiss cheese, torn in half
- Use your hands to work the pork with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. There should be 4 equal pieces of pork. Make each one into a thin patty the shape of a bread slice.
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Put in the patties and cook for about 6 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown. Transfer to plate.
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in now empty skillet. Add the onion, fennel, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Cook, stirring every now and then, for about 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and starting to char. Add garlic and vinegar and cook an additional 2 minutes. Season to taste and transfer mixture to bowl.
- Reduce heat to medium. Melt an extra 2 1/2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet that is now empty, swirling the pan to spread the butter out evenly. Place 4 bread slices in skillet. Top each slice with 1 1/2 slices cheese. Sprinkle two slices with 1/4 of the onion-fennel mix, then add a pork patty on top of them. Once the cheese starts to melt, place bread slices with cheese on top of the pork patties and gently press down with a spatula. About 3 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden and crisp after being turned over once. Move to a cutting board and do it again with the rest of the pork patties, cheese, onion-fennel mixture, and butter. Serve immediately.
How to Cook Frozen Beef Hamburger Patties In A Pan – Quarter Pound – Turning Frozen Food Gourmet
FAQ
Can I cook pork burgers from frozen?
Are pork patties good for you?
How to cook frozen pork?
Can you cook pork loin from frozen?
How do you make a good pork patty?
Thyme, garlic and onion powder, black pepper (an assertive amount!), salt and a touch of sugar. No breadcrumbs, no egg. Today’s patties are 100% meat, as all sausages should be. Boo to fillers! Surprise! Guess who’s in today’s recipe video. Mix the pork and spices together well.
Are homemade sausage patties freezer friendly?
Freezer Friendly Homemade Sausage Patties are perfect for a healthy breakfast and are so delicious! Combine all the seasonings and mix until well blended. Add in ground meat, syrup and onion, using your hands to combine thoroughly.
Can you freeze fried chicken patties?
Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze. To use, thaw and slice into patties with knife, then cook. Or if you like, you can shape into patties, and layer them individually onto a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze. Then remove and add to a freezer safe gallon sized bag. love it? rate it!
What are homemade pork fritters?
Full of flavor, these homemade pork fritters are savory and rich. They’re a meat-lover’s favorite. With only 8 ingredients, they can be made into a weeknight meal or served as an appetizer. Updated post (2020) with new process photos and frying tips. Calling life hectic lately has been an understatement.