Hawaiian Burgers Recipe (Grilled Teriyaki Pineapple Burgers)
This Hawaiian Burger recipe brings together an incredible combination of juicy beef hamburgers with the sweet tang of grilled pineapple, drizzled with delicious homemade teriyaki sauce. Up your burger game with this easy recipe that will give your tastebuds a tropical vacation!
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef (we prefer 80/20 or 85/15 for burgers)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 pineapple rings, fresh or canned
- teriyaki sauce
- 8 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy
- 4 slices provolone cheese (or havarti, swiss, or cheddar)
- ½ red onion, sliced
- 8 green leaf lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry
- 4 brioche buns
- ½ cup mayo, divided
Teriyaki Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
Making the Teriyaki Sauce
- Excluding the cornstarch and cold water, combine all ingredients for the teriyaki sauce in a pot and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Mix the cornstarch and cold water and drizzle this into the mixture. Cook the sauce until it thickens.
Grilling and Assembly Instructions
- Divide your ground beef into 4-5 portions, depending on how large you like your burgers. Shape them into patties and make an indent in the center of each burger patty with your thumb so they grill evenly. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Prep all toppings for the burgers then toast the burger buns. Grill the pineapple for 4-5 minutes per side if using fresh pineapple slices, or 2-3 minutes per side if using canned pineapple, and grill the burger patties.
- After flipping the burger patties, baste them with teriyaki sauce on the second side. Top each burger patty with a slice of provolone cheese so that the cheese melts before removing the patties from the grill.
- You can assemble your burgers however you please, but if you'd like to follow what I did in this recipe then start by spreading a little bit of mayo onto the bottom bun on a plate. Then add a bed of lettuce to place the grilled burger onto, cheese-side up. Place a slice or two of grilled pineapple onto the cheese, then add some red onion and grilled bacon. Use a spoon to drizzle some extra teriyaki sauce over the bacon, and spread some sauce onto the top bun - more mayo, teriyaki, or a little bit of BBQ sauce are all great choices. Then gently press the toasted bun on top and dig in.
Notes
Storage
- Store: Store patties, pineapple rings, and buns separately. Allow burgers to cool to room temperature, wrap in aluminum foil, or place in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through, or use a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to keep them moist. You can use the microwave but this may affect their texture.
- Freeze: Freeze cooled patties in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Separate layers with parchment paper if stacking.
- Teriyaki Sauce: Store leftover sauce in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.