Grilled BBQ Pork Patties with Smoky Rub
Juicy ground pork patties seasoned with a smoky BBQ rub and basted with tangy barbecue sauce while grilling for a flavorful cookout favorite. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs ground pork, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork with 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until well incorporated without overworking the meat.
- Step 2: Shape the pork mixture into 4 evenly sized patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Lightly brush each patty with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 3: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Place the patties on the grill and cook for 4 minutes on the first side until grill marks appear and the edges begin to firm.
- Step 4: Flip the patties and immediately baste the cooked side with 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce. Grill for another 4 minutes, basting the other side with the remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce during the last 2 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
- Step 5: Remove the patties from the grill and rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.








