When you think burgers, your mind probably immediately goes to beef. And when we say "alternative," you probably think of chicken, turkey, or maybe veggie. But don't forget the other white meat, pork. Ground pork can add plenty of flavor and juicy texture to any burger combination.

Sure, one could take the easy route here. The varieties of bulk sausage that could be used to make patties is myriad and growing every day. In fact, our Roma® Sweet or Hot Italian Sausage can be formed into an already seasoned patty that's perfectly delicious.

That said, you can also add your own flavors by starting with ground pork. With a little salt and pepper and maybe some minced onion and parsley, you have the perfect patty to celebrate the distinct flavor of pork. Of course, if that flavor is a little too strong, mixing your grind with two parts pork to one part ground veal can transform that into a subtle and nuanced patty.

Subtle and nuanced is nice, but then again so is going big. Adding Contigo® Fresh Chipotle Peppers or Chipotle Peppers in Adobo brings a deep, smoky richness with just the right amount of heat to the party. Smooth it all out by topping the burger with a slice of creamy avocado to bring it all together.

Ginger is another flavor that plays well with pork. Mix it with Village Gardens® Empress Sesame Ginger Dressing, some garlic, and chopped scallions then use a wasabi mayo for a topping. Adding slice of grilled pineapple might be taking that a bit too far...or would it?

Cooking ground pork patties can be a little tricky. Pork doesn’t need to be cooked to oblivion like it used to, but no one really wants it medium rare either. A really hot pan with a little oil can get a good sear going, then move it into an oven to cook it more slowly through to the center. Let the patty rest for a minute if cutting it in half. It would be a shame to watch all the juices spill out before they’ve had a chance to settle in.