Recipe: Pork Wonton Burgers

I love the filling in a wonton, and that umami flavor wrapped in a soft silky blanket. And who doesn’t love a good burger? American burgers are usually large, messy, and made up of almost anything you can think of! They are as American as the hot dog or apple pie. Although… I know many countries use the term “Hamburger” for many different types of meat sandwiches.

Of course, me being Asian American, I can’t leave well enough alone and always have a need (like many Americans I suppose), to merge my cultures into food fantasticness. Enter… the Pork Wonton Burger, a mash-up of my two favorites in one amazing sandwich!

Watch the video on how I make it

What is a Wonton (餛飩)?

Before we get started on the recipe, let’s talk Wonton (餛飩) or hun dun (混沌). This yummy “pocket” of goodness is a type of square boiled dumpling made with egg dough and served in Cantonese noodle soup. They’re usually filled with pork and bok choy, but can also refilled with other pork mixtures as well. This differs from dumplings (jiaozi (餃子) that are usually eaten with dipping sauce

Wait, aren’t Wontons (餛飩) and dumplings (jiaozi (餃子) the same?

Although wontons (餛飩) resemble dumplings or jiaozi (餃子), and in America especially, tend to be interchanged willy-nilly, they are actually different. Wontons (餛飩) usually have less filling and are wrapped in a thin 6 x 6cm yellow square dough wrapper and folded into a triangular shape resembling a Chinese gold ingot also known as yuanbao (元寶). Dumplings or Jiaozi (餃子) are wrapped in a slightly thicker circular white dough wrapper with more filling and are closed with either flat or pleated edges.

The wonton (餛飩) dough wrapper is sometimes referred to as a wonton skin and becomes almost transparent after being thoroughly boiled. It also takes a shorter time to boil a wonton vs a dumpling. The texture is also very smooth and silky.

Wontons are traditionally served in soup, whereas dumplings or jiaozi (餃子) are usually eaten with a dipping sauce.

Fun Hamburger (or Burger) Facts…

• The term hamburger was originally derived from Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany, which is funny, because there is no verified connection between the two (other than a claim from White Castle).
• One claim is that in 1885 Charlie Nagreen (a 15-year-old Wisconsinite), sold a pork meatball between two slices of bread at the Seymour Fair (now known as the Outagamie County Fair), so customers could eat it while walking. Nagreen named the hamburger after the Hamburg steak (think a meatloaf patty) that he know local German immigrants would be pretty familiar with.

Ok, my foodie nerdiness is done… one to the Pork Wonton Burger recipe!

Notes Before We Get Started.

Some Tips for Success

• Start your pork burgers by making the bread (If you’re going to make them). Whether in a bread machine or by hand, it will take a couple of hours to make the bread. You can prep other things while you wait on the bread, but start with the bread.
• You do not have to make your own buns. You can buy regular white sesame bins from the store if bread-making is not your thing.
• I cook the burger patties in the oven, but if you want to grill the patties, cook on low. There is high-fat content and you want them cooked all the way. not burn on the outside and raw in the middle.
• Before adding any ingredients to your pork patties, make sure to distribute the ground meat in smaller chunks around the bowl so when you mix it’s not all in the middle, making you have to mix even more creating tough patties.
• Use the recommended toppings! they take the burger from: “This is good” to “I just 3 of these! 🙈”

How to Make My Pork Wonton Burgers

You’ll love how this Pork Wonton Burger recipe comes together. Find the full recipe below. Here’s the gist:

Step 1: Let’s start with the buns

(see tips for success)

First things first, are you using a bread machine or a stand mixer?

Bread Machine, Definitely!

1. Put all ingredients into your bread machine as directed and set to dough setting. Meantime, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. When the bread machine is done, Place the dough on a floured surface and knead about 5 times. While you’re waiting on the machine, make the remoulade and the Asian Cucumber Salad
3. Cut dough into 8 pieces. Shape each into a ball and place it on a baking sheet.
4. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot until they double in size, about 30-35 minutes.
5. Meantime, preheat the oven to 375° F and make the Pork Wonton Burger patties
6. Brush each bun with beaten egg and sprinkle with black sesame seeds.
7. Once the pork burger patties are halfway done, put the buns in the oven and bake for 12 minutes.

I’m going with the Stand mixer

1. Place flour, yeast, sugar & salt in a large mixing bowl.
2. Stir in milk, followed by oil and egg.
3. Beat on high for 2 minutes.
4. On low speed add about 1/4 cup flour until dough forms a mass.
5. Place dough on a floured surface and knead for about 50 turns.
6. Cover and let rest for 45 minutes (the dough should double in size). Meantime, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. While you’re waiting, make the remoulade and the Asian Cucumber Salad
7. Cut dough into 8 pieces. Shape each into a ball and place it on a baking sheet.
8. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot until they double in size, about 30-35 minutes.
9. Meantime, preheat the oven to 375° F and make the Pork Wonton Burgers patties.
10. Brush each bun with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
11. Once the pork burger patties are halfway done, put the buns in the oven and bake for 12 minutes.

Step 2: While you’re waiting… Let’s talk Remoulade and Cucumber Salad.

Start with the mayonnaise, add everything else mix, and taste for salt, if you find it needs it, add and set in the fridge until assembly.

To make the cucumber salad, go to the Asian Cucumber Salad post/recipe

Step 3: Make the burgers

(see tips for success)

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (your oven should already be pre-heating to 375° F)
• Prep meat by mixing all pork burger ingredients together until just incorporated (not too much or the burgers will be tough).
• Place burger patties in a baking sheet
• Bake in the oven for 25 minutes (or until Pattie’s are at 160° F)
• let sit for 10 minutes covered.

Step 4: Assemble!

To assemble your Pork Wonton Burgers:

1. Spread the remoulade on both sides of the bun
2. Place a patty next
3. Top with the Cucumber Salad

A Few Other Yummy Dishes to Enjoy

Here are a few of my other dishes to try out!

• Patatas Bravas with Remoulade
• Chinese Almond Cookies
• Fried Pork Wontons
• Asian Cucumber Salad
• Beer Battered Cheese Curds

ENJOY and Share! 

Let me know what you thought! Your star ratings with your comments are tremendously helpful! I love seeing friends and family come together over food. If you take a picture of your Pork Wonton Burgers, tag me on Instagram or Facebook! Use @alwaysjennsmith & #alwaysjennsmith. Or share it on this post’s Pinterest Pin!

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