The BBQ Pulled Pork Burger is a mouthwatering combination of tender pulled pork on top of a ground pork and Italian sausage burger, finished with a toasted bun and melted cheese. Whether you are cooking this burger on the grill or in the kitchen, this recipe has a variation for each.

We love easy pork burgers. If you are looking for other fresh pork burger options, try our Asian Pork Burger or our Pork Apple Burger.

Best Pulled Pork Burger served on a bun with cheese and bbq sauce.

Move over, basic burgers. It’s time to top a ground pork and Italian sausage burger with pulled pork to make the most porky pork burger ever.

The more you read about this juicy, smoky barbecue burger, the more your mouth will water. If you like a little zest in your step, pile on your favorite coleslaw and load up on pickles.

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Here’s a little secret: This pork burger recipe is easy to make and a great way to use leftover pulled pork. Can a recipe get much better than that?

We also love to use Italian sausage in these Traditional Italian Sausage Burgers!

Pulled pork on cutting board surrounding best pulled pork burger on a bun.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ground pork
Italian sausage: Use ground pork that is not in the sausage casing.
Prepared pulled pork: Use leftover pulled pork or your favorite frozen premade package from the grocery.
Italian bread crumbs: You can substitute panko bread crumbs.
BBQ sauce
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Worcestershire sauce
Liquid smoke
Salt

How to make a pulled pork burger

Step 1: Gather a large bowl and all the ingredients. Measure and pour Italian sausage, ground pork, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, bread crumbs, and salt into a bowl.

Glass bowl filled with ground pork, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs and seasonings.

Step 2: Using clean hands, mix evenly until combined. Do not overmix the pork; this will make the burgers tough and dry when grilled.

Step 3: Divide the pork mixture into 9 patties and mold them. If you have a burger patty press or biscuit cutter, you can use either of these kitchen tools to create your burgers.

Nine ground meat patties on white white parchment paper.

Step 4: Place the formed burgers on a plate, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Gather a large frying pan to warm the pulled pork. When using frozen meat, defrost it prior to the next step. If you purchased prepackaged pulled pork from the store, follow the label directions to properly warm the meat.

If using leftover pulled pork, warm it in a frying pan over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the BBQ sauce and cook for 2-3 more minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Shredded pork warming in frying pan with bbq sauce.

Step 6: Once the pulled pork is warmed, you have two options for cooking the pork burger patties: on the stovetop or on the grill. Both heat sources are great and have similar cooking times.

Stovetop Cooking

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drizzle olive oil over the burgers and cook patties for 3-4 minutes per side.

As the burgers cook they will develop a blackened char on the side. Flip the pork burger and probe with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 160 degrees F.

If desired, place a slice of cheese atop the burger prior to removing it from the skillet for optimal meltage.

Grilling

Due to the soft nature of this ground pork mixture, grilling these burgers on the BBQ can be challenging. Don’t let this stop you from seeking the smoky flavor of charcoal grilling.

Arrange the burgers on the grill over prepared coals, then close the grill to maintain a steady temperature.

Pork burger patties on black charcoal grill.

Grill patties for 4-6 minutes per side, watching closely so they don’t burn.

Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer in the same manner as with the skillet. Once burgers have reached 160 degrees F, remove them from the grill and serve.

Hand holding best pulled pork burger with large bite missing.

Recipe Tips

Place a cheese slice on top of burger during the last minute of grilling.
Top with a zesty coleslaw and pickles.

Pulled Pork Burger FAQs

What to put on a pulled pork burger?

For even more delicious toppings, we recommend adding cheese, coleslaw, and pickles to this incredible burger. A slice of sharp cheddar perfectly balances the smoky pulled pork, while coleslaw adds a tangy kick and pickles provide a satisfying crunch.

Sides for a pulled pork burger

For a smoky, hearty side try baked beans. For something on the creamier side, opt for potato salad or macaroni salad as a delicious duo. A crinkle cut or steak fry is always a sturdy standby favorite for a crowd pleaser.

Other Ground Pork Recipes

Ground pork is such an inexpensive, protein-packed option for dinner. We use it in a variety of ways. From Ground Pork Tacos to Ground Pork Chili, any of your favorites can be recreated with ground pork. Or try this Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Ground Pork!

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