Burgers Al Pastor

Prep Time: 15 Mins

Cook Time: 12 Mins

Total Time: 27 Mins

Serves: 4

These Burgers Al Pastor are inspired by a dish from Central Mexico, featuring spicy seasonings balanced with the sweetness of pineapple. Al pastor is usually made with pork, so the mixture of beef, pork and veal used here makes it even more decadent. The richness of the meat is the perfect base for spicy, sweet flavors, especially if you sear the burgers until browned and crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. Serve on buns topped with grilled pineapple slices and guacamole- delicious!

Ingredients

Swap Protein

Thomas Farms Meatloaf Mix

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
1 pound Thomas Farms Meatloaf Mix (ground beef, pork, and veal)
4 thin slices fresh or drained canned pineapple slices
4 slices pepper Jack cheese (optional)
4 Hawaiian-style sandwich buns, toasted
¼ cup guacamole
4 thin red onion slices
¼ cup whole cilantro leaves
Mix the cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and pineapple juice in a bowl.

Instructions

Thoroughly mix the meat and half the spice mixture in a large bowl. Shape the meat mixture into 4 burgers, pressing an indentation into the center of each (to help hold their shape). Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Brush both sides of the pineapple slices with the remaining spice mixture.
Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium-high. Grill the burgers for 5 minutes (lid closed). Turn the burgers and grill for another 5 minutes or until done (lid closed), adding the cheese during the last 1 minute of the cooking time, if desired.
Grill the pineapple slices for 2 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides (lid closed). Serve the burgers on the buns, topped with the grilled pineapple, guacamole, onion, and cilantro.

Ingredients

Swap Protein

Thomas Farms Ground Beef

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
1 pound Thomas Farms Ground Beef
4 thin slices fresh or drained canned pineapple slices
4 slices pepper Jack cheese (optional)
4 Hawaiian-style sandwich buns, toasted
¼ cup guacamole
4 thin red onion slices
¼ cup whole cilantro leaves
Mix the cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and pineapple juice in a bowl.

Instructions

Thoroughly mix the meat and half the spice mixture in a large bowl. Shape the meat mixture into 4 burgers, pressing an indentation into the center of each (to help hold their shape). Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Brush both sides of the pineapple slices with the remaining spice mixture.
Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium-high. Grill the burgers for 5 minutes (lid closed). Turn the burgers and grill for another 5 minutes or until done (lid closed), adding the cheese during the last 1 minute of the cooking time, if desired.
Grill the pineapple slices for 2 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides (lid closed). Serve the burgers on the buns, topped with the grilled pineapple, guacamole, onion, and cilantro.