There’s no better way to bring in the grilling summer season than with a delicious pork burger. These burgers are famous for being tender and flavorful, thanks to garlic and onion. They are easy to make. When paired with a quick homemade sauce, there’s no other recipe you’ll need this season!.
Pork burgers are a delicious alternative to traditional beef burgers. But getting the temperature right when cooking pork burgers is important for food safety. This article will provide a complete guide on what temperature to cook pork burgers to make sure they are safe to eat while remaining juicy and flavorful.
Why Getting the Right Temperature Matters
Properly cooking pork to the right internal temperature kills potentially harmful bacteria that may be present Undercooked pork can contain bacteria like Salmonella and E,coli that can lead to foodborne illness, The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temp of 145°F with a 3 minute rest time, This kills bacteria and parasites,
Cooking pork burgers thoroughly also improves the texture and moisture content. Burgers cooked to the proper temperature will be juicy and tender. Overcooked pork burgers can become tough, dry and rubbery.
Getting the temperature right is the best way to ensure pork burgers are cooked through but not overcooked. So what is the ideal temperature for juicy, safe pork burgers?
The Proper Internal Temperature for Pork Burgers
The USDA recommends cooking pork burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F. At this temperature any harmful bacteria will be killed off.
For safety when cooking ground meats like burgers, the USDA suggests cooking to 160°F regardless of the type of meat. The reasons are:
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Ground meats can spread bacteria throughout the meat during processing. Whole cuts of pork can be safely cooked to 145°F. But with ground pork, bacteria on the surface gets mixed in, so 160°F is recommended.
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Ground meat patties don’t take as long to reach safe temperatures. A thick pork roast may need to cook for a long time to reach 145°F in the center. But thin burgers cook through more quickly.
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Visual signs of doneness like color are less reliable with ground meat. 160°F is a foolproof way to confirm ground pork burgers are fully cooked.
So for ground pork burgers, cooking to 160°F is ideal for both food safety and texture.
How to Cook Pork Burgers to 160°F
Cooking burgers to 160°F while keeping them moist requires using the right techniques. Here are tips for perfectly cooked juicy pork burgers:
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Use an instant read thermometer – It’s the most reliable way to check temperature. Insert it into the thickest part of a burger to get an accurate reading.
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Don’t press the burgers – Pressing squeezes out moisture and can lead to dryness. Handle patties gently when shaping and flipping.
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Try the poke test – A cooked burger will feel firm when pressed gently. If the meat feels mushy, it needs more time.
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Preheat grill grates – Hot grates seal in juices and prevent sticking. Heat your grill or pan before cooking.
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Cook uncovered – Cooking with a cover traps steam, which can make the exterior overcook. Use direct heat without a lid.
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Don’t overload the grill – Overcrowding prevents proper heat circulation. Leave space between patties for even cooking.
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Let it rest – A short 2-3 minute rest after cooking allows juices to redistribute evenly. Tent foil over the top to keep burgers warm.
Follow these guidelines while using a thermometer to cook burgers until 160°F for the juiciest results!
How Long to Cook Pork Burgers
Cook times can vary based on thickness and preparation method. Here are estimated cook times for pork burger patties:
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Grilled: 4-6 minutes per side over medium heat
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Pan-fried: 3-5 minutes per side
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Air fryer: 380°F for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway
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Oven: 400°F for 15-18 minutes
No matter which cooking method you use, always rely on an instant read thermometer over cook times to determine doneness. Every burger and grill is slightly different.
For example if using a very hot grill or cooking thinner smash burgers, pork patties may only need 2-4 minutes per side. Thicker pub-style burgers may require 6 minutes or more per side over gentler heat.
Measuring temperature is a foolproof way to ensure burgers reach food-safe doneness without overcooking.
Tips for Juicy Pork Burgers
In addition to monitoring temperature, there are some other tricks for keeping pork burgers moist:
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Use 80/20 ground pork – The higher fat content keeps burgers tender and adds richness. Avoid overly lean pork which can turn out dry.
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Mix in a teaspoon of oil – Adding a small amount of neutral oil or melted butter boosts moisture.
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Don’t overwork the meat – Gently shape patties without over-mixing to prevent toughness.
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Brush with oil – Coating the outside of patties adds moisture to the exterior as it cooks.
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Top with cheese – Melting cheese helps insulate patties and increases juiciness.
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Toast the buns – A toasted bun prevents it from getting soggy from burger juices.
Follow temperature guidelines for safely cooked burgers while utilizing these tips for added moisture and you’ll be enjoying tender and juicy pork burgers off the grill or stove in no time.
Common Pork Burger Mistakes
It’s easy to make mistakes when cooking pork burgers. Here are some common errors to avoid:
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Undercooking – Not cooking to 160°F can leave bacteria behind leading to food poisoning. Always check temp.
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Overcooking – Cooking past 160°F dries out the pork. Don’t go above this temp.
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Cooking frozen patties – Thawed meat cooks more evenly. Defrost burgers before cooking.
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Using lean pork – Extra lean pork lacks the fat needed for tender, juicy burgers. Choose 80/20 ground pork.
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Pressing patties – Smashing down on burgers forces moisture out. Handle gently while cooking.
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Grilling over high heat – Intense direct heat can burn the outside before the inside cooks through. Use medium heat.
Be mindful of these mistakes. Monitoring temperature, preheating your grill or pan, and gently handling the meat will set you up for mouthwatering pork burgers.
The Takeaway
Cooking pork burgers to the right internal temperature is important for both food safety and the ideal texture. The USDA recommends cooking ground pork to 160°F since ground meat can spread bacteria more easily compared to whole cuts. Use an instant read thermometer to monitor temperature. Cook over medium heat while avoiding presssing down on patties to ensure they come out perfectly juicy and safe to eat. Mastering temperature and technique means you’ll be enjoying tasty and moist pork burgers in no time.
Frequently asked questions about this recipe.
Of course, the recipe is easy to change so that it makes six big patties or ten even smaller ones.
It will be 7 to 10 days before the burgers go bad after they’ve been grilled and put in the fridge.
Yes, this is a great way to make burgers ahead and use them later. You can also freeze the extra patties for later use if you don’t want to grill them all. When ready to grill, let thaw before cooking.
These can be dressed just like your favorite hamburger. The sauce with this recipe is a perfect accompaniment but so are guacamole, tomato, mustard, and lettuce!.
Why this recipe works.
Warmer weather is synonymous with grilling. I realized summer was for grilling when I was growing up. When it got warm, we worked outside until late at night and then lit the grill. Not just to keep the heat out of the kitchen but also to savor the season. A staple was pork burgers. Like my family, I thought everyone ate more pork burgers than hamburgers. But then I realized that because we raised pork, it was cheaper than beef. Pork is often misunderstood. The flavor is lighter but, when used correctly, can be delicious. This recipe uses the secret ingredient, miso, to bring out the best rich flavor. The meat is seasoned with simple pantry staples with an egg yolk to bind them together. These may just replace the usual hamburger with a perfect pork burger.
Grilled Pork Burgers
FAQ
What temperature should pork burgers be cooked at?
Can you eat pork burgers medium-rare?
How do you tell if a pork burger is cooked?
Can you cook burgers at 375?
What temperature should pork burgers be cooked to?
For a temperature guide, see the table in the post. For medium doneness, cook the pork burgers to 145°F/65°C and let them rest for a few minutes until they reach 150°F/68°C. This recipe makes 8-quarter pound pork patties, but you can make larger burgers to suit your preference.
How do you cook ground pork burgers?
Combine ground pork with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Do not overmix. Form into 4 oz patties. Step 3: Grill patties over medium heat until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees f. Use an instant read thermometer inserted to the center of the burger to check temperature.
How long do you cook pork burgers?
Cook the pork burgers on each side for two to three minutes or until they are cooked to your desired doneness (see the table above for internal cooking temperatures). For medium doneness, cook the pork patties to 145°F/65°C and let them rest for a few minutes until they reach 150°F/68°C.
Can you cook a pork burger without a thermometer?
You should never cook pork without using an instant-read thermometer. This well-cooked pork burger is done when its internal temperature is 160 F degrees. This is normally achieved by cooking over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes on each side.