Pork and Bacon Burgers with Parmesan

These Pork and Bacon Burgers are juicy, savory, and packed with crispy bacon, freshly grated Parmesan, garlic, and onion. Bake them in the oven, cook them in the air fryer, or grill them. Each method gives you a flavorful homemade pork and bacon burger without a lot of fuss.

Ground pork and bacon give these burgers rich flavor, while Parmesan and Worcestershire sauce add a savory kick. Serve them on toasted buns with melted sharp cheddar and your favorite toppings, or skip the buns.

A homemade burger reminds me of the simple, satisfying dinners Grandma used to make. These double-pork burgers have that same comforting appeal, with plenty of bacon to make them special.

We cooked this bacon pork burger three ways for a poker night with more than 20 players, rotating through three tables of seven. Some guests watched hockey and others watched UFC. The baked, air fried, and grilled burgers all disappeared, there were no leftovers, and the neighbors asked for the recipe. Our grandson is our most honest critic, and he loves these cheesy bacon burgers. Our granddaughter, who is not quite three, loves almost everything except pickles.

If you like this bacon-and-cheese combination, you will also enjoy our peanut butter bacon burger and our sweet and spicy bacon burger.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Loaded With Bacon: Crispy bacon is mixed into every patty for smoky flavor in every bite.
• Three Ways to Cook: Bake, air fry, or grill the same patties, depending on the weather and your schedule.
• No Fillers Needed: Ground pork, Parmesan, and finely diced ingredients make tender patties without breadcrumbs or eggs.
• Great for a Crowd: The recipe makes eight burgers, and the patties stay juicy and flavorful even without a heavy sear.

How We Tested Pork and Bacon Burgers

We compared pork blends, bacon varieties, onion preparations, seasoning amounts, patty thicknesses, and cooking methods to find the best combination. We made these pork bacon burgers in the oven, in the air fryer, and on the grill.

• Pork: Regular ground pork produced the juiciest burgers with better flavor. Lean pork was slightly drier, while extra-lean pork was the least tender.
• Shrinkage: The patties shrank about 10% in diameter and became slightly thinner. Regular ground pork, which has more fat, shrinks a little more than lean, but the flavor was better and the burgers were less dry, so we recommend it.
• Bacon: Regular and thick-cut bacon worked best when cooked until very crispy and finely chopped. Half a pound provided the best balance.
• Parmesan and Onion: Freshly grated Parmesan gave the best flavor. Finely diced raw onion added a little texture, although grated and sauteed onions also worked.
• Seasoning: Half a teaspoon of salt was enough with the bacon and Parmesan. Garlic and Worcestershire sauce improved the savory flavor.
• Thickness: Three-quarter-inch patties cooked evenly and stayed juicy. Thinner burgers dried more easily, while thicker ones needed more cooking time.
• Doneness: Pork burgers dry out faster than beef, so we used a thermometer and never cooked past 160°F.
• Cooking Methods: A wire rack drained excess grease in the oven, and flipping halfway improved browning. Because the patties contain cooked bacon and Parmesan, they browned nicely and tasted great even without a heavy sear.
• Serving and Storage: Sharp cheddar and brioche buns were favorites. Both cooked and uncooked patties froze well, with uncooked patties keeping slightly better texture after thawing and cooking.

Ingredients

This bacon pork burger uses a short list of savory ingredients. The bacon and Parmesan provide plenty of flavor without complicated seasonings.

• Ground Pork: Use 2 pounds of regular ground pork, approximately 80/20, for the juiciest patties.
• Bacon: Half a pound, cooked until crispy and finely chopped, adds smoky flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds richness and savory depth.
• Onion: Finely diced onion distributes evenly throughout the meat.
• Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and Worcestershire sauce complete the flavor.

Find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

Variations

• Different Bacon: Substitute thick-cut bacon for meatier pieces or pancetta for a richer, less smoky flavor.
• Onion Options: Use grated onion for a softer texture or sauteed onion for a sweeter, milder flavor.
• Cheese Toppings: Try Colby Jack for a mild, creamy finish or Swiss for a slightly nutty flavor. For a different cheesy dish, try our cheeseburger rolls.
• Bunless Burgers: Serve the patties over lettuce or alongside roasted vegetables instead of using hamburger buns.
• More Burger Ideas: Want more toppings and flavors? Try our ultimate everything burger or our juicy bourbon burger.

How to Make Pork and Bacon Burgers

These four steps make juicy pork and bacon burgers in the oven.

Step 1: Prepare the Bacon and Mix. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a lightly greased, oven-safe wire rack on top. Cook the bacon until crispy, then drain and finely chop. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground pork, bacon, Parmesan, onion, salt, pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce until just mixed.

Step 2: Shape the Patties. Divide the mixture into eight equal portions and gently shape into ¾-inch-thick patties, about ½ inch wider than your buns because they shrink as they cook. Press your thumb into the center of each patty to make a shallow indentation that keeps the burgers flat. Arrange them on the prepared rack with space between each one.

Step 3: Bake the Burgers. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the patties and rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until the centers reach 160°F (71°C). Prefer the air fryer or grill? See the chart below.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Serve. If desired, add cheddar during the final 1-2 minutes of cooking. Let the burgers rest for 3-5 minutes, then serve on toasted buns with your favorite toppings.

How to Cook Pork and Bacon Burgers in the Oven, Air Fryer, or Grill

Use this chart to cook pork bacon burgers your favorite way. Times are for patties made from this recipe, and every method is done at 160°F internal temperature.

Air fryer tips: Flip halfway through and check the temperature, pulling the burgers at 160°F. Do not overcrowd the basket, and cook in batches if needed. Add cheese in the last 1-2 minutes if you like.

Grill tips: Oil the grates well so the pork does not stick, and flip only once if you can. Pull the burgers at 160°F. Add cheese during the last minute and close the lid to melt it.

For every method: Rest the burgers for 3-5 minutes before serving.

If you love homemade burgers, try our best ground pork burgers for another pork dinner, or browse our cheeseburger recipes for more ways to melt cheese on a burger.

Storage Directions

Room Temperature: Do not leave cooked burgers out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F.

Refrigerator: Store cooked patties in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooked or uncooked patties individually wrapped for up to 3 months for best quality.

Reheating: Warm cooked burgers in a covered 325°F oven or air fryer until the centers reach 165°F. Avoid overheating.

Make Ahead: Shape the patties up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate, covered, until ready to cook.

Serving Suggestions

• These burgers are delicious on toasted brioche buns with sharp cheddar, extra bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles. Mayonnaise, garlic aioli, or burger sauce adds a creamy finish.
• For a complete meal, serve them with crispy fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a fresh garden salad. They are also delicious without buns for a simpler dinner, and they are easy to cook for a crowd.
• Serving a crowd? Pair these with the party-sized bites in our slider recipes.

Love a classic comfort-food dinner? Our classic meatloaf recipes and our copycat Big Mac recipes are both worth a look.

Video

More Burger Recipes

Looking for another family-friendly dinner? Start with our smash burger tacos, try our bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, or explore more hearty burger recipes below.

If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!