Around the Campfire
Camp banh mi burgers bring bright crunch to burger night. Ground pork patties, pickled carrots, cucumber, and mayo make a burger that feels fresh but still cooks like a campsite classic.
Why This Recipe Works
The Blackstone handles the pork patties and toasted buns, while pickled vegetables and cucumber stay cool for crunch.
Quick Facts
- Serves: 4
- Heat zone: Medium-high
- Best for: Burger nights, warm-weather dinners, crunchy toppings
- Teaches: Hot patty with cool toppings
Shopping List
- Ground pork
- Burger buns
- Pickled carrots
- Cucumber
- Mayo
Home Prep
Form patties or portion ground pork before the trip. Prep pickled carrots and slice cucumber if using early.
Cooler Packing
Keep ground pork cold and below ready-to-eat foods. Keep vegetables and mayo cold.
Equipment
- Blackstone griddle
- Heavy spatula
- Tongs
- Instant-read thermometer
Heat Zones
Use medium-high for the patties, and a cooler zone for buns.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1/2 cup pickled carrots, drained
- 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat the griddle to medium-high.
- Form ground pork into 4 equal patties.
- Cook pork patties on the griddle for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Toast buns on a cooler zone of the griddle until golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on each bun.
- Assemble each burger: place a pork patty on the bottom bun, top with 2 tablespoons pickled carrots and a few cucumber slices, then cover with the top bun.
- Serve immediately.
Doneness
Ground pork should reach 160°F.
Common Mistakes
- Heating the cucumber or pickled carrots.
- Making patties too thick.
- Toasting buns too early.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with fries, corn, slaw, chips, or fruit. Add fresh cilantro or sliced jalapenos at the table if desired.
Variations
- Add jalapenos.
- Add cilantro.
- Use chicken patties.
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free buns.
- Dairy-free: As written if mayo is verified.
- Low-carb: Serve as lettuce cups.
Scaling
Cook patties in batches and set up toppings at the table.
Weather Notes
Keep mayo and vegetables shaded on hot days.
Leftovers
Store patties separately from buns and vegetables.
Kid Helper Tasks
Kids can add cucumber and pickled carrots away from the griddle.
Dragonfly Tip
Keep the toppings cold. The contrast is what makes this burger work.
Dragonfly Challenge
Try one burger with cucumber and one without. Pick the better camp crunch.