If you crave a perfect harmony of savory and sweet in every bite, this Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple Recipe is going to become your new favorite go-to. Imagine juicy, flavorful pork patties kissed by smoky grill marks, perfectly complemented by the caramelized sweetness of grilled pineapple rings. The combination of tangy, creamy sauces with a touch of smoky cheese, all nestled inside soft slider buns, transforms a simple slider into an irresistible party-worthy treat. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these sliders bring a burst of exciting flavors and textures that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this recipe is wonderfully straightforward, and each component plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and visual appeal. From the fresh pineapple’s vibrant sweetness to the well-seasoned pork, everything is simple but essential to achieve that magical balance in each slider.
- 1/3 pineapple (or to taste): Offers natural sweetness and juicy texture that perfectly contrasts with the savory pork.
- 1-1.5 pounds ground pork: Provides the rich, tender base of your slider patties with a mild flavor that pairs well with sweet and tangy elements.
- 1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs: Helps bind the patties and adds a subtle seasoning boost.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): Brings aromatic depth and a mild kick of flavor.
- Juice from 1/2 lemon: Injects brightness that lifts the pork mixture, balancing richness.
- 2 tablespoons mayo: Adds moisture and creaminess that keeps the patties juicy.
- 1 tablespoon grainy mustard (such as Creole): Gives a tangy, mildly spicy note that enhances complexity.
- 1 egg: Acts as a binder for the pork mixture to hold shape during grilling.
- Salt & pepper (to taste): Essential seasonings that highlight and balance all flavors.
- 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons mustard, 1/2 tablespoon honey, 1/2 tablespoon red wine vinegar: Combined to create a luscious, sweet-tangy sauce that complements the slider components perfectly.
- Slider buns: Soft, pillowy carriers that hold all delicious fillings together without overpowering them.
- Cheese (smoked cheese like Jarlsburg or smoked cheddar works well): Adds a creamy, smoky layer for added flavor depth.
How to Make Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pineapple
Start by cutting the pineapple into 1/2-inch thick rings. Cutting it this way ensures the pineapple won’t fall through your grill’s grates and makes for those beautiful grill marks that elevate both flavor and presentation. If you’re not planning to use a BBQ grill, chopping the pineapple into smaller chunks before cooking will work perfectly well.
Step 2: Mix and Shape the Pork Patties
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, Italian breadcrumbs, minced garlic, lemon juice, mayo, grainy mustard, egg, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything gently but thoroughly—this is where you build juicy, flavorful patties. Form your mixture into slider-sized patties, making sure they are just a bit larger than your buns because they will shrink while cooking. Creating a small indentation in the center of each patty helps them stay flat and cook evenly without puffing up.
Step 3: Grill the Pork Patties
Heat your grill to medium-high and oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the patties on the grill, cooking for about 4-5 minutes per side depending on thickness, until completely cooked through. When there is about a minute left, place a slice of your smoked cheese onto each patty to melt gently without burning—this adds an irresistible layer of smoky creaminess.
Step 4: Grill the Pineapple
While the patties cook, place your pineapple rings on the grill and let them cook for roughly 3 minutes per side until you see lovely caramelized grill marks that enhance sweetness and add a subtle smokiness.
Step 5: Toast the Buns (Optional)
For an extra special touch, spread a thin layer of butter on your slider buns and toast them on the grill for about 30 seconds until they’re golden and slightly crisp. This simple step adds crunch and warmth to your sandwich.
Step 6: Assemble Your Sliders
Now comes the fun part! Spread a generous amount of the honey-mustard sauce onto the bottom bun, add the cheesy pork patty, then top with a grilled pineapple ring. Cap it with the top bun and get ready to enjoy a burst of amazing flavors in every bite.
How to Serve Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple Recipe
Garnishes
Feel free to elevate your sliders with fresh garnishes like crisp lettuce leaves, thinly sliced red onions, or a few fresh cilantro leaves for a bright herbal note. These garnishes bring a refreshing crunch and color contrast that brighten each bite.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair beautifully with simple sides like crispy sweet potato fries, a fresh coleslaw with a tangy dressing, or even a light cucumber salad. Such sides complement the sweet and savory profiles of the sliders without overpowering them.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive gathering, arrange your Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple Recipe on a large platter with colorful toothpicks or small skewers for easy grabbing. Adding small bowls of extra sauce around the platter encourages dipping and sharing, turning your meal into an interactive party experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover cooked pork patties and grilled pineapple rings separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days. Keep the slider buns stored in a cool, dry place or wrapped tightly to maintain freshness.
Freezing
If you want to save sliders for later, freeze the formed raw patties on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to one month. Grilled pineapple doesn’t freeze as well, so it’s best to prepare fresh when ready to enjoy again.
Reheating
When reheating leftovers, gently warm the pork patties in a skillet over medium heat until heated through to avoid drying them out. Warm the buns separately by toasting lightly in a toaster or oven, and reheat pineapple on the grill or in a skillet for best flavor.
FAQs
Can I use pork sausage instead of ground pork for this recipe?
While pork sausage has great flavor, it usually contains added spices and salt, which can overpower the intended balance of this Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple Recipe. Ground pork offers a neutral, tender base that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
What if I don’t have a grill? Can I make this indoors?
Absolutely! You can cook the patties in a grill pan or skillet on the stove, and grill pineapple slices on a stovetop grill pan or roast them in the oven with broiler for a similar effect.
What type of cheese works best for these sliders?
Smoked cheeses like Jarlsburg or smoked cheddar add wonderful flavor depth that complements the pineapple and pork. However, if you prefer something milder, mozzarella or gouda are also tasty options.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the honey-mustard sauce can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge. It tastes even better after the flavors meld together, making it a convenient step for easy entertaining.
Are these sliders kid-friendly?
Definitely! The sweet pineapple and mild pork patties are typically a hit with children, and you can adjust seasonings or cheese choices to suit picky eaters.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the delightful combination you’ll find in this Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple Recipe. It’s a fun, flavorful dish that takes simple ingredients and turns them into a memorable experience for your taste buds. Whether you’re serving them at a backyard barbecue or a casual dinner, these sliders are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Give them a try, and you might just find yourself craving them again and again!
Print
Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 sliders
- Category: Grilling
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple combine juicy ground pork patties with the sweet and smoky flavor of charred pineapple, topped with a tangy mayo-mustard sauce and melted smoked cheese. Perfect for summer grilling, these sliders are easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors.
Ingredients
For the Sliders
- 1/3 pineapple (or to taste)
- 1–1.5 pounds ground pork
- 1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice from 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon grainy mustard (such as Creole)
- 1 egg
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Slider buns
- Cheese (smoked cheese such as Jarlsburg or smoked cheddar works well)
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the Pineapple: Cut the pineapple into 1/2-inch thick rings. This helps prevent the fruit from falling through the grill grates. After grilling, you can cut the rings into smaller pieces if desired. If not grilling on a BBQ, you can pre-cut into smaller pieces.
- Make the Pork Patties: In a bowl, mix ground pork, Italian breadcrumbs, minced garlic, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons mayo, grainy mustard, egg, and salt & pepper using your hands until combined. Form into slider-sized patties slightly larger than the buns, and create a small indentation in the center to keep them flat while cooking.
- Grill the Patties: Oil the grill grates and preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the patties on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side or until fully cooked through. If using cheese, add it to the patties in the last minute to melt without burning.
- Grill the Pineapple Rings: Place pineapple rings on the grill and cook for approximately 3 minutes per side until nicely charred.
- Toast the Buns (Optional): Spread butter on the slider buns and place them on the grill for about 30 seconds or until toasted to your liking.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons mustard, honey, and red wine vinegar, mixing well to create a tangy sauce.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread the prepared sauce on the bottom bun, add the grilled pork patty topped with melted cheese, then layer with grilled pineapple pieces. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cutting pineapple into rings helps keep fruit stable on the grill and prevents pieces from falling through the grate.
- Indenting the burger patties in the center helps them cook evenly and stay flat rather than puffing up.
- Using smoked cheese like Jarlsburg or smoked cheddar complements the grilled flavors.
- Adjust sweetness and tanginess of the sauce by varying honey and vinegar amounts to taste.
- Ensure pork patties are cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for safety.
- Optional to toast buns for added texture and flavor contrast.
