• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Confessions of a Grocery Addict logo
  • Home
  • Recipe Categories
  • About Me
  • Blog Writing Services
  • Subscribe!
  • The Food Justice Library
  • Latest Food & Grocery News
  • Contact
  • Privacy & Accessibility
  • Nav Social Menu

    Click to Share and Save

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipe Categories
  • About Me
  • Blog Writing Services
  • Subscribe!
  • The Food Justice Library
  • Latest Food & Grocery News
  • Contact
  • Privacy & Accessibility
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Categories
  • About Me
  • Blog Writing Services
  • Subscribe!
  • The Food Justice Library
  • Latest Food & Grocery News
  • Contact
  • Privacy & Accessibility
×

Home » Easy

Banh Mi Pork Burgers and Spicy Pineapple Watermelon Salad

Published: Aug 23, 2020 · Modified: Jan 30, 2021 by Ash, The Grocery Addict · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I don't know about you, but I love a good fusion burger. Remember my Greek Burgers? There are so many combinations of flavors that work well on a burger bun. Chili cheese! Mushroom and Swiss! Juicy Lucy's! These Vietnamese-inspired Pork Burgers are no exception.

Close up shot of banh mi style pork burger on a brioche bun with pickled carrots/radishes, fresh cilantro, cucumber slices and sriracha green onion aioli

Summer seems like prime burger season, but it's beginning to feel more and more like Fall. The days are getting shorter, the temperatures less wicked, and leaves are beginning to fall. I've been in a real frenzy because I want to pack in as many delicious burgers as I can before the season ends. Joe and I had also been talking about one of our favorite Vietnamese places in town, so I got an idea for a burger-banh mi fusion.

Table of Contents

  • The Modern Proper's Pork Burger
  • The Grocery Addict Salad
  • A Few Tips to Consider for the Salad
  • A Few Tips to Consider for the Burger

The Modern Proper's Pork Burger

When the idea struck, I searched Google and found The Modern Proper had already beaten me to the punch. Y'all, I wasn't mad about it. They're brilliant. I followed their burger recipe nearly to a T, changing only how I pickled my carrots and using regular radishes over daikon.

This pork burger recipe features delicious banh mi flavors like crunchy pickled carrots, cilantro, spicy sriracha aioli, green onions and even a dash of fish sauce, packaged up in a shiny, soft brioche bun. I'd argue that this is easily a top 5 burger recipe, and definitely a top 3 pork burger recipe.

Close up shot of banh mi pork burger with spicy pineapple and watermelon salad

And even though I originally envisioned a french bread style roll in true banh mi fashion, I'm glad Natalie and Holly convinced me to try a brioche bun instead. Their recipes are usually spot on, so I went with their recommendation. It was the right choice, as the flavors were so on point for a banh mi, it needed a softer bun to really fit the burger category.

The Grocery Addict Salad

All I needed was an appropriately summery side salad. I turned to the heaviest dang watermelon I've ever purchased (shout out to the Nashville Farmer's Market!) as my inspiration. While my normal move with a watermelon salad is to add feta and herbs, I wanted something that would make more sense in context. To this end, I leaned into the idea of attempting to make it more tropical.

Close up shot of a quarter of a bright red watermelon on a white cutting board with a smaller piece of melon closer to the frame, seeds are scattered on the board where they have been removed.

I've been having a hankering for pineapple lately, so I grabbed a fresh one at the store. I picked a few jalapeños from my garden, a red onion from the pantry, a handful of cilantro and the zest and juice of a lime. And by the end of a 10 minute fruit peeling and chopping frenzy that required I empty my countertop compost a total of 3 times, I had one of the best fruit salads I've ever had the pleasure of eating.

The salad was spicy, sweet and refreshing. The burger was a perfect blend of burger and banh mi. The evening was cool and dry enough to dine al fresco (miracle of miracles in August in the South!). I highly recommend you try this dinner before the summer ends. It was perfection.

Outdoor shot of a blue plate with a pork burger and spicy pineapple watermelon salad on a turquoise wire table with a pot of pink and yellow flowers in the back.

A Few Tips to Consider for the Salad

  • Picking the right watermelon: Watermelons that are heavy for their size indicate that they will be super juicy. Look for dull skin and a creamy yellow patch where it rested on the ground.
  • Picking the right pineapple: pick a frond from the center. It should release easily. The pineapple should also be heavy for its size and smell sweet. The exterior should be firm, but yield a little to pressure when you squeeze it.
  • If you can't find a suitable fresh pineapple, use canned pineapple chunks in pineapple juice. Don't get anything that's been soaked in syrup - its far too sweet.
  • Due to the porous nature of watermelon, this salad is best enjoyed shortly after assembly. If you will be pressed for time, you can cut the fruit and make the dressing ahead of time, keeping elements separate until ready to serve.
  • Scroll to the second recipe for complete instructions.
Close up shot of spicy pineapple watermelon salad in a turquoise bowl with wooden spoons.

A Few Tips to Consider for the Burger

  • The sriracha mayonnaise can be made up to a week ahead.
  • The pickled veggies should be made at least a day in advance. Because we're trying to cut down on sugar, I opted for rice wine vinegar which is naturally sweeter than the white vinegar TMP's recipe called for. I also swapped agave for regular sugar and cut the amount used in half. Finally, I couldn't find daikon at my store, so I opted for regular radishes instead.
  • The burger mix can be made up to a night ahead.
  • The burger mix has some dry ingredients, including corn starch. Be sure to sprinkle the cornstarch on the mix last and immediately begin to mash it up with your hands so it doesn't turn into chunks. You want it evenly distributed.
  • Be sure to toast those buns! The sesame oil imparts a ton of flavor, and the crunch factor is greatly improved with a little time on the heat.
Final image of pork banh mi burger with spicy pineapple watermelon salad on a grey plate on a light grey counter with a white marble backsplash

If you want more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest! Until next time, friends. I hope you have a healthy and delicious day.

Banh Mi Pork Burgers

Adapted from The Modern Proper
These delicious Pork Burgers have all of the flavors of a Vietnamese banh mi prettily packaged in shiny, soft brioche buns. Pair them with my Spicy Pineapple Watermelon Salad for a perfect grill-out menu.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Pickling Time 1 d
Total Time 1 d 20 mins
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Asian, Barbecue, BBQ, Fusion, Vietnamese
Servings 10 burgers
Calories 383 kcal

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Disher
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Meat Thermometer
  • Mason Jar

Ingredients
  

Burger Patties

  • 2 lb Ground Pork
  • 1 bunch Fresh Basil chopped
  • 10 cloves Garlic minced
  • 8 Green Onions chopped
  • 2 tablespoon Sugar
  • 2 tablespoon Corn Starch
  • 2 tablespoon Fish Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Freshly Ground Pepper
  • 2 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt

Sriracha Aioli

  • ¾ C Mayonnaise Hellman's, Duke's or Kewpie
  • 2 tablespoon Sriracha
  • 4 Green Onions chopped

Pickled Banh Mi Vegetables

  • 3 Carrots julienned
  • 5 Radishes julienned
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
  • ½ C Rice Wine Vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoon Agave

To Assemble

  • 10 Brioche Burger Buns
  • ⅓ C Toasted Sesame Oil
  • 1 Cucumber sliced thin
  • 1 bunch Cilantro roughly chopped, tough stems removed
  • 3 Jalapeños sliced thin (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Make pickled vegetables at least a day ahead for maximum flavor. Put julienned carrots and radishes in mason jar or other container with a tight fitting lid. Sprinkle with salt, shaking to coat. Let rest 10 minutes, then add remaining ingredients. Shake again, cover and refrigerate for up to a month.
  • Combine all ingredients for sriracha aioli and set aside. Can be made up to a week in advance.
  • Combine all ingredients for burger patties in a large mixing bowl. Using a muffin sized disher, separate into 10 evenly sized patties, smooshing them slightly. Grill on medium-high for about 5 minutes per side, or until the inside reaches 160F.
  • While patties are cooking, lightly brush inside of brioche buns with sesame oil. When burgers are almost finished, grill buns oil side down until toasted and golden brown.
  • Assemble the banh mi burgers, spreading sriracha aioli on the bun, topping with cucumbers, burger patty, cilantro and mostly drained pickled veggies. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Pickle vegetables at least one day in advance. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month.
  • Sriracha aioli can be made up to a week ahead and refrigerated.
  • Burger patties can be made up to a day ahead, then placed in an airtight container with no air touching the meat to prevent oxidation.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 17gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 1126mgPotassium: 458mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3382IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Cheap, Easy, Fast, Grilled, Grilling, Healthy, Pork, Summer
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Spicy Pineapple Watermelon Salad

The perfect bright, spicy and sweet side for your grill out. Excellent accompaniment for my Banh Mi Style Pork Burgers
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Fusion
Servings 10
Calories 173 kcal

Equipment

  • Chef's Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Fresh Pineapple peeled and cubed. Sub canned pineapple in juice drained
  • ½ medium Watermelon peeled and cubed
  • ½ Red Onion minced
  • 2-3 Jalapeños sliced thinly
  • ½ bunch Cilantro tough stems removed and roughly chopped
  • ¼ C Olive Oil
  • 1-2 Lime(s) zested and juiced (3 Tbsp)
  • 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Agave or more to taste
  • Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, whisk together oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, lime zest, agave, salt and pepper.
  • In large bowl, combine pineapple, watermelon, cilantro and red onion. Toss with dressing and serve immediately.

Notes

If needed, all ingredients can be prepped ahead of time and refrigerated separately. Once dressed, consume immediately for best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 173kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 372mgFiber: 3gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 1390IUVitamin C: 67mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Easy, Fast, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthy, Summer, Vegan
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Easy

  • square hero shot of wild mushroom tartine sliced in half on a grey plate with a fork and knife.
    Easy Mushroom Tartine With Spreadable Goat Cheese
  • square hero shot of eggless raspberry white chocolate loaf pound cake on a cutting board with a silver knife.
    Raspberry & White Chocolate Loaf Cake (No Eggs!)
  • eggs in a carton with sad faces drawn on.
    21+ Egg Substitutes & Egg Replacements For Cooking, Baking, Breakfast, & More!
  • square overhead hero of healthy Mediterranean white bean tuna dip in a bowl on top of a plate with saltines and crostini for serving.
    Healthy Tuna Dip With White Beans (No Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, or Mayo!)

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Ash the addict chomping on an apple in the orchard

Hey y'all! My name is Ashley, and I'm the Grocery Addict. I'm here to share my best time saving tips, money saving tricks and store bought grocery hacks to make being the CFO (Chief Food Officer) of your family a little easier. All of my recipes are designed for real, busy people - like you! - who want to eat healthy, homemade food on a tight budget. I can't wait to see you in the kitchen!

If you're interested in getting help writing your blog, simply click on the link in the menu!

Feed My Addiction With A Tip

More about me →

Trending Recipes

  • flat lay square hero of a bowl of instant pot loaded baked potato soup.
    Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
  • final shot of broccoli cheese chowder in grey pasta bowl with gold spoon.
    Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • instant pot split pea and ham soup in a white pasta bowl on a grey dinner plate with a smoked gouda and ham sandwich on sourdough, a gold spoon, a tan waffle knit napkin and a sparkling water on a grey slate table.
    Instant Pot Split Pea and Ham Soup
  • overhead shot of white pasta bowl filled with instant pot veggie soup, a gold spoon and a mustard yellow and white linen napkin.
    Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
  • closeup shot of a bowl of vegetarian tom kha soup.
    Vegetarian Tom Kha Soup With Coconut, Sweet Potato & Corn
  • beef and black bean chili in a white bowl with a blue rim topped with cheddar cheese, green onions and cilantro.
    Easy, Spicy Beef & Black Bean Chili
  • close up shot of clam chowder in a blue bowl with a plate of buttered toast.
    Mom's White Clam Chowder
  • Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup with tomatoes, kale and ham in a white soup bowl with a blue border and some buttered croissant toast on a navy and white dotted plate.
    Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup with Ham, Tomatoes and Kale

Recent Posts

  • peanut butter chocolate chip cookie cake decorated with peanut butter chocolate buttercream and various reese's candies.
    Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting
  • overhead closeup shot of oat flour chocolate chip cookies on a crumpled parchment paper with a bowl of rolled oats.
    Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles
  • overhead shot of people eating a huge holiday meal.
    Top 12 Tips For Hosting The Holidays On A Budget (Without Feeling Stressed)

As Seen On...

Latest Food & Grocery News

Footer

ConvertKit Form

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy & Accessibility Policies

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme