Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers on a Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill

Imagine you’re craving a burger—not just any burger but something uniquely flavorful and a bit upscale. These Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers are the answer! Perfectly suited for the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill, this recipe infuses the rich flavors of French onion soup into a succulent pork patty topped with miles of melty cheese. Say goodbye to boring burgers and bite into this French Onion Burger today!

Who doesn’t love a good burger? I sure do, but all burgers are not created equal! I have eaten my share of dried out, boring burgers, but they can be jazzed up with flavor, toppings, and so much more!

I make these French Onion Pork Burgers on my Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill. I can saute the onions right on the griddle plate, then switch to the grill plate to cook the burgers. The burgers cook pretty quickly, but give yourself some time to get those onions perfectly caramelized.

The secret to a juicy burger that doesn’t have a lot of filler and that doesn’t fall apart is to partially freeze the burgers first. You don’t want to freeze them solid – about 20 minutes in the freezer is enough to firm them up for grilling.

You could totally make these burgers with beef, but beef is boring! Pork burgers are the break-out hit of this grilling season, so skip the beef and grab some ground pork for these amazing burgers!

Ingredients

• Sliced onions – Sweet onion like Vidalia or Spanish onion.
• Butter
• Bread crumbs
• Fresh thyme
• Balsamic vinegar
• Lean ground pork
• Garlic cloves – Finely minced.
• Dried onion flakes
• Onion powder
• Garlic salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Gruyere cheese – Shredded.
• Mozzarella cheese – Shredded.
• Bakery fresh buns
• Lettuce
• Mayonnaise

How To Make Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers

1. Preheat your Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill to medium with the griddle plate inserted.
2. Combine the ground pork, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, dried onion flakes, onion powder, garlic salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
3. Form the mixture into 6 even patties. Pop the patties into the freezer while your onions are cooking.
4. Preheat your Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill to medium and add the onions, thyme sprigs and butter to the griddle plate. Immediately turn the heat down to low and cook the onions, stirring often, for 15-20 minutes or until they are caramelized and deep brown. 
5. Add the balsamic vinegar to the onions and season them with salt and pepper. Remove the onions from the Ninja and set them aside.
6. Add the grill plate to the Ninja and turn the heat to high. When the Ninja is ready, add the pork patties to the grill and let them sear for about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5-6 minutes then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes or until they reach 165-F with a digital meat thermometer.
7. Top each patty with a generous amount of caramelized onions and a mix of gruyere and mozzarella cheeses during the last minute of grilling.
8. Toast the buns on the grill for a light char.
9. Assemble the burgers on the toasted buns with lettuce, a dollop of mayonnaise, and the cheesy onion-topped patty.

Step-By-Step Process

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• Ensure your onions are thinly sliced for quicker, even caramelization. If you use sweet onions, then no extra sugar is needed.
• Avoid pressing down on the patties while grilling to keep all those delicious juices inside.
• For an added touch of flavor, brush the buns with a little garlic butter before toasting.
• If you like a bit more herb flavor, sprinkle some additional thyme over the patties before they hit the grill.

Recommended

Make It A Meal

These burgers pair beautifully with a side of crispy sweet potato fries or a fresh garden salad drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette, or this lovely burrata Caprese salad. For a drink, why not serve a cool, crisp lager or a glass of your favorite rosé to complement the sweet caramelized onions and rich cheese?

Storage

Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers can be refrigerated for up to three days. Store patties and caramelized onions in separate airtight containers. For longer storage, freeze the patties for up to a month. Reheat on the grill or in a pan for best results.