Maybe we should have called these Iowa burgers (after all, Iowa is the biggest pork-producing state in the U.S.)! These burgers are a nice alternative to a standard burger, and the sage adds wonderful flavor. We like to serve them with coleslaw or a pasta or potato salad.
Pulse the bacon and garlic in a food processor until ingredients are coarsely ground.
Combine the ground pork, salt, pepper and sage in a large bowl. Add the garlic-bacon mixture and gently mix with your hands.
Neatly form the meat mixture into 4 balls of equal size, then lightly press each ball into 4′ wide, 1′ thick patties. Make an indentation in the center of each patty to prevent the patties from bulging when grilled.
Preheat grill to medium high. Grill burgers on one side, about 5-6 minutes, then flip and grill the other side for another 4-6 minutes.
While the burgers cook, spread the cut sides of the potato buns with butter and toast lightly for a minute on the grill.
Serve patties on buns (we like potato buns) and, optionally top with coleslaw.
