
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¾ lb bacon cut into matchsticks
- 1 medium onions sliced
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 slices havarti cheddar cheese optional
- 4 burger buns
- 1 cup arugula
- As needed Dijon mustard optional
- As needed water
- To taste salt and black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine ground pork with first amount of brown sugar and smoked paprika until evenly distributed. Form into 4 equal sized patties and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld for 30 minutes.
- In a skillet over medium low heat, add bacon and roughly ¼ cup of water and cook, stirring occasionally, until fat has rendered and bacon has crisped, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove from pan.
- Reduce heat to medium low. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of rendered bacon fat. Add onion and ½ cup of water. Stirring occasionally, cook onions until reduced significantly in size and are beginning to caramelize, about 20-25 minutes.
- Add vinegar and second amount of brown sugar. Cook until vinegar has reduced and sugar is dissolved, about 3-5 more minutes. Remove from heat and fold in crisped bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. 5. Preheat grill to 400°F.
- Place pork patties on hot grill and season with salt and pepper. Grill burgers until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, about 3-5 minutes per side. Place cheese slices on patties after flipped to melt if desired.
- Toast buns on hot grill. Spread Dijon on one side of bun if desired. Place cooked burgers onto buns and finish with 2 tablespoons of bacon onion jam and a ¼ cup of arugula.
