Habanero Peach Pork Burgers – Spicy habanero sauce paired with sweet, cooling peaches flavor this fantastic burger made from freshly ground pork.Bear with me. Read through to see why I have done what I have done. I am not really a mad scientist trying to assault your taste buds. I do enjoy playing with flavor and I promise, this one works.
Seven or so years ago, I went to Raspberry Days in Bear Lake, it’s just a festival held annually celebrating the raspberries that once grew in the area. It’s a fun time. As I was meandering through all the booths there, I came upon a woman who made jams. She paired fruits with peppers but claimed to remove the majority of the heat allowing the natural flavor of the pepper shine through.
We all know I am a wimp when it comes to heat. Habaneros freaked me out. Jalapeños are way more than I can handle. Here’s a secret, I was once moved to tears over eating a stupid banana pepper when I was 14 while at my Police Explorers Academy. There’s a full story there, but you’ll have to pry it from me.
Anyway, I didn’t even want to try the samples of these jams this woman was offering. I knew I wouldn’t enjoy them. Since having gastric bypass, my wimpy-ness has increased 10-fold because once they hit my stomach, it’s pure agony…but my ability to enjoy the heat on my palate increased as well, so go figure. When I finally developed a liking for the peppers on my palate, my body rejected them.
She promised that I would love the jams. That the peppers would not hurt me. I selected a strawberry and jalapeño jam first since jalapeños were one of the peppers she offered that were the lowest on the Scoville scale.
It was good. No real heat. Great flavor. I liked it. I decided to try the habanero and peach jam next. She said when the heat was removed, habaneros were actually really sweet. I braced for the heat and instead when that jam hit my taste center, I was in a swirling in a rainbow tunnel of happiness and delight. She knew I liked it because my eyes glazed over and perma-grin etched across my face.
I came home with a jar of the habanero-peach jam. I was a college student then and forking over $12 for a tiny 10-oz jar was all I could afford. She said she did these fairs all the time, all over the West. She was based out of Colorado. I finished that jar and the following year I almost ran laps around the festival looking for her booth to buy more jams. She wasn’t there. I looked for her at Peach Days in Brigham City and all the other “days” festivals I attended. I have never come across her booth again. I don’t remember her company name now either. That jam lives on only in my memories.
Now that I play with food professionally, that combination of peach and habanero has often popped into my mind, begging me to do something with it. Other than removing the seeds and the veins, I am not sure how to remove the heat of a pepper. My stomach is still a wimp, but I am often cruel to it and force it to eat hot things, I just pay for it later. It’s kind of like women who wear high heels all the time, “fashion/beauty is pain.” Well sometimes, I endure the pain for food.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KingOfFlavor #CollectiveBias
I was at Walmart buying food for my upcoming Game Day gathering and a few pantry staples. As I was grabbing some canned refried beans (a favorite I have eaten since I was a kid and I like them in my pantry at all times as a quick side dish) on a lower shelf is when I spotted, rather shoved in the back, a green, almost glowing, bottle of hot sauce. I am naturally attracted to all things green. It was a pretty color and I’m not above trying things because they are pretty. But my fear kicked in…El Yucateco Habanero Sauce. Yikes.
But then all at the same time, this idea of peach and habanero was in the back of my mind. I succumbed to the sauce and the idea. A burger made from pork, because one really doesn’t see many pork burgers, flavored with peaches and the habanero sauce. Enter: Habanero Peach Pork Burgers.
I pitched the idea to a few friends, including Matthew, and they all were on-board. Not sure if they were on-board because they fully trust me or if they just know once I have an idea in my head, I’m running with it anyway so not being on-board is pointless.
Before I wax eloquently about how much I loved this burger, because I did, let’s chat for a second about the technique I used. I purchased pork sirloin chops. Then I put them in the food processor to “grind” them myself. This was far more laborious than it needs to be for a simple burger. I chose this option for one reason only, my stomach can’t handle pre-ground pork that I could purchase packaged or from the butcher case at my market.
The fat content is too high and I get really ill. This is the only reason I went this route. I can use ground pork in small amounts or mixed with other things, but to make a burger and consume that much in a sitting would be too much for my very temperamental, rearranged insides. I faced some issues with grilling due to the low fat content of the pork, but I was able to adapt because I have been doing this for years. Purchasing pre-ground (packaged or from the butcher case) is PERFECTLY FINE, and will be quicker and easier. But if you are watching the fat, or have a crazy body like I do, then this method I did will work…or even go crazy and do half pre-ground and half really lean (and you can ask the butcher to ground up the lean stuff for you, saving you a step.)
If using already ground pork, do a quick pulse in the food processor of onions, cilantro, and peaches, then mix that into the meat by hand like normal. Since I was grinding the pork in my food processor, I decided to just process it all together. But DO NOT OVER PROCESS or the Habanero Peach Pork Burgers will be very sticky and hard to grill, and more than likely you will need to add oil to your grill grates anyway due to the low fat content (not necessary if using regular ground pork.)
Now onto the taste. O…M…G… So good. I used a hearty amount of El Yucateco Habanero Sauce-Green, a whopping 2 full tablespoons. There was no denying it in each bite. But the peaches, peach jam, and queso fresco all tempered it, making it perfectly balanced. I did not wince once in pain after I ate it but yet my mouth experienced the full taste of the habanero. My 5 taste testers all loved them as well, and all used the word balance to describe the heat and the sweet. I chose the El Yucateco Green Habanero over the red because I have it erroneously stuck in my brain that green is milder than red in all salsas and sauces. I know this is wrong but I can’t unstick it. Turns out the green El Yucateco is HOTTER than the red….oops. But pork and green sauce just go so nicely so I am glad I picked the green. I decided to buy the Black Label Reserve sauce as well because I have a few people in my life who often say (read this next part in your manliest, gruffiest voice possible) “Nothing is too hot for me, I can handle it all, bring it on.” I thought they could add some this to their burger post-cooking…that was fun to watch.
Habanero Peach Pork Burgers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground pork
- 2 tbsp El Yucateco Green Habanero Sauce
- 1-15 oz can of sliced peaches in juice (NOT SYRUP)
- 1/4 cup of juice from canned canned peaches
- 1/4-1/3 cup diced red onions (depending on personal tastes)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 garlic clove or 1/4 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/3 tsp salt +/- to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper +/- to taste
- 1/4 cup panko
- Peach jam/preserves
- Queso Fresco; crumbled
- Lettuce
- 8 hamburger buns
Instructions
Sirloin Pork Chop Method
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In a food processor, add the pork chops that have been trimmed to remove the tendon (I left the tiny bit of fat on them), peaches, onions, cilantro, peach juice, salt, pepper, garlic, and El Yucateco Green Habanero sauce and process until combined. Do not over process.
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Remove and add to a large bowl and by hand, mix in the panko.
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Cook off a tablespoon or two in a frying pan on the stove to taste for seasoning. Make any necessary adjustments.
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Form patties and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Store ground pork Method
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Add the pork to a large bowl.
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In a food processor, quickly pulse the peaches, onions, and cilantro (and garlic clove if using) until well combined, but NOT PUREED.
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Add the mixture to the pork in the bowl and pour in the peach juice, El Yucateco Green Habanero sauce, salt, pepper, (granulated garlic if using), and panko. Mix well but gently by hand.
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Cook off a tablespoon or two in a frying pan on the stove to taste for seasoning. Make any necessary adjustments.
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Form patties and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Grill
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Oil the grill grates if needed for low fat content burgers.
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Heat the grill on high and get it up to temperature.
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Once the grill is hot, lower heat to medium-low and place the patties on the grill.
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Cook for 6 minutes--watch them, do not over cook.
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Flip and cook on the other side. ADJUST TIME FOR THICKNESS AND HEAT LEVEL.
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Once the burgers are done, place lettuce on the bottom bun, then the burger on top.
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Spread a moderate amount (one kitchen teaspoon size) peach jam atop the burger and sprinkle with queso fresco. Enjoy.
These Habanero Peach Pork Burgers were absolutely perfect for the crowd I had assembled to watch my first game of the season this weekend. The heat and sweet go perfectly…just like my favorite player…he brings the heat when he plays but seems so sweet. Too corny? I thought so too.
26 Comments
Cristi Comes
September 21, 2015 at 7:20 pmI don’t eat beef so I just LOVE the idea of these pork burgers. I can imagine the sweet and the spice go very well together. Thank you for sharing your recipe. #client
Michelle
September 25, 2015 at 11:51 amThank you Cristi!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
September 22, 2015 at 12:32 pmI would have never thought of pairing peach and habanero! They sell the weirdest / neatest stuff at fairs. And these burgers look amazing! I’ve never had anything like this.
Michelle
September 22, 2015 at 8:48 pmYes they do sell the weirdest/best stuff. But it worked.
Maris (In Good Taste)
September 22, 2015 at 4:03 pmHabanero? Wow, you’re brave!
Michelle
September 22, 2015 at 8:48 pmIt really wasn’t as hot as I expected it to be.
Maria
September 22, 2015 at 7:08 pmJust looking at these flavors makes my mouth want to explode with happiness. YUM!
Michelle
September 22, 2015 at 8:49 pmThank you Maria.
Melanie | Melanie Makes
September 22, 2015 at 8:16 pmThese burgers sound amazing – love this flavor combination!
Michelle
September 22, 2015 at 8:49 pmThank you Melanie.
Laura @MotherWouldKnow
September 22, 2015 at 9:31 pmI’ve never even thought about making pork burgers – but now that I’ve seen this, I’m sure I’d love them. Especially with hot sauce, they would be a great change from beef burgers.
Michelle
September 22, 2015 at 11:43 pmIf you like pork, and like burgers…you’ll love them.
Andi @ The Weary Chef
September 23, 2015 at 8:33 amPork burgers sounds really great. And these burgers look awesome! I love the combination of all the flavors. Yummy!
Michelle
September 25, 2015 at 11:50 amThank you Andi, they really came out well.
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector)
September 23, 2015 at 12:17 pmMy hubby would love these!
Michelle
September 25, 2015 at 11:49 amThank you Jaren.
amanda @ fake ginger
September 24, 2015 at 8:51 pmI looove the El Yucateco sauces! This burgers look so yummy! I bet the sweet and spicy combo is perfect!
Michelle
September 25, 2015 at 11:48 amThank you Amanda, it really did work well together.
Nicole
September 25, 2015 at 10:23 amI never would have thought to use peaches in a savory recipe like this. I love the idea of sweet and spicy! Sounds great 🙂
Michelle
September 25, 2015 at 11:46 amThank you Nicole. I got the idea from the jam lady.
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
September 25, 2015 at 2:48 pmLooks so delicious!
Michelle
September 26, 2015 at 9:43 pmThank you Kristi.
Debra
September 27, 2015 at 6:42 pmThis sounds AMAZING! I love a good burger!
Michelle
September 28, 2015 at 11:55 pmThank you Debra.
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