Burgers for dinner can get a little ho-hum when made the same old way. Well, you’re going to appreciate this fruity and tropical take on a classic burger.
Hawaiian burgers are juicy and flavorful, thanks to an easy teriyaki marinade and a slice of pineapple on top of each one. The fruit and ground beef are infused with the marinade before going on the grill. And yet, the whole burger recipe (marinating time included) takes only 30 minutes. That means it’s just as easy to make this Hawaiian burger recipe for week night dinners as it is for a weekend cookout.
Hawaiian Burger Ingredients
- Sliced pineapple: Canned fruit makes it easy to whip up this recipe. Save the juice from these canned pineapples for the marinade.
- Teriyaki sauce: Pick up a bottle of one of the best teriyaki brands in the international foods aisle.
- Ground beef: The type of ground beef you choose depends on how you like your burgers. Our guide to picking which ground beef is best for burgers specifies that a higher fat percentage will yield juicier patties.
- Onion: To go with the sweet-savory flavor of a Hawaiian burger, use a sweet onion variety like Vidalia or Walla Walla. Use up leftover onions for other weeknight dinners.
- Butter: You only need a little butter to saute the sliced onions. Olive oil can also be used here, too.
- Burger buns: Sesame seed buns are a classic choice for burgers. Other tasty choices include onion, brioche or sweet Hawaiian burger buns.
- Lettuce: Use a big leaf lettuce variety like iceberg or Boston bibb to top your burgers.
- Cheese: We love the flavor of Swiss cheese on these burgers.
- Bacon: A smoky, salty bacon brand is always delicious on a burger, especially paired with pineapple and teriyaki sauce.
Directions
Step 1: Marinate the pineapple
Drain the pineapple juice into a small bowl and add the teriyaki sauce. Measure three tablespoons of the marinade and place it in a shallow dish. Add the pineapple slices to the remaining marinade, and turn to coat them on all sides.
Step 2: Shape and marinate the burgers
Shape the ground beef into four patties. Lay the burger patties in an 8-inch square baking dish, then pour the remaining teriyaki marinade over the patties. Soak in the marinade for 5 to 10 minutes, turning them once.
Step 3: Grill the burgers
Remove the burgers from the marinade and discard the marinade. Cover and grill the burgers over medium heat or broil them four inches from the heat source for six to nine minutes on each side.
The burgers are done once a digital thermometer reads 160°F.
Step 5: Saute the onion
While the burgers are grilling, saute the onion in butter in a small skillet for about five minutes or until tender. Set aside.
Step 6: Grill the pineapple
Remove the pineapple slices from the marinade and discard the marinade. Lay the pineapple slices on the hot grill or under the broiler; cook them until they’re heated through.
Step 7: Assemble the burgers and serve
Put a lettuce leaf and some sauteed onions on the bottom burger buns. Add a burger patty next, followed by a slice of cheese and a slice of grilled pineapple. Finally, add a strip of bacon and the top bun.
Editor’s Tip: You can also choose to add cheese to the burgers near the end of the grilling time. Once the cheese is melted, move them off the grill.
Hawaiian Burger Variations
- Give them some spice: Give the sweet-savory burgers a little spice by spreading a little Sriracha mayonnaise on the buns before assembling.
- Add hot peppers: Other ways to add heat are with a few slices of habanero or jalapeno peppers, or by adding a few red pepper flakes to the marinade. You can also try topping the burgers with chili-lime grilled pineapple.
- Switch up the cheese: Instead of Swiss, try other types of cheese that pair well with the teriyaki and pineapple, like Monterey Jack, Havarti, pepper jack or provolone.
- Make a Hawaiian burger bowl: Skip the bun! Instead, fill bowls with cooked white rice. Slice up the grilled burgers, pineapple, sauteed onions and cheese, then layer them over the rice. You can also build a bowl like this with chopped salad greens instead of rice.
- Turn it into a patty melt: Instead of burger buns, use sliced sourdough bread. For each burger, butter two pieces of sourdough. Layer the grilled burger, pineapple, sauteed onions and sliced cheese between two slices of bread. Grill the sandwich in a nonstick skillet or a panini press until the cheese is melted and both sides of the sandwich are toasted and browned.
How to Store Hawaiian Burgers
Let the burgers cool, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store the marinated pineapple and cooked onions in separate containers. Keep both in the fridge for up to five days.
Can you make Hawaiian burgers ahead of time?
Yes! You can shape the burger patties, place them in the marinade and store them in a covered dish in the fridge the day before you’re ready to grill them. The pineapple rings can also be marinated a day in advance and held in the fridge until you’re ready to grill them.
How to Freeze Hawaiian Burgers
After marinating the burger patties, arrange them in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined tray. Freeze the burgers until they’re firm, then transfer them to a freezer container or bag, separated by squares of parchment or waxed paper. Keep them frozen for up to three months. Let the burgers thaw in the fridge before grilling.
You can also freeze cooked burger patties the same way. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw in the fridge, then gently reheat them in a covered skillet on the stove.
For the best texture, don’t freeze the pineapple rings. Open the can and marinate the fruit on the day you plan to eat the burgers.
Hawaiian Burger Tips
How do you cook Hawaiian burgers on the stove?
Heat a large skillet or griddle pan over medium-high heat and add the marinated burgers to the pan. Cook the burgers for four to five minutes until they’re deeply browned on the bottoms. Flip the burgers and cook for another four to five minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°. Once the burgers are cooked, wipe out the pan with a paper towel. Add the marinated pineapple slices to the pan, and cook them for just a few minutes on both sides until they’re heated through. Here are other ways to cook a burger without a grill.
Can you use fresh pineapple for Hawaiian burgers?
Yes! Follow our tips to cut pineapple into rings to use for these burgers. You’ll also need some pineapple juice for the marinade. To get this from a fresh pineapple, process some of the fresh pineapple through a fruit juicer. You can also puree the pieces in a blender until smooth.
What can you serve with Hawaiian burgers?
You can pair these burgers with classic sides like french fries, steak fries or tater tots. Homemade crispy onion rings are especially tasty with Hawaiian burgers. Or, try a fresh side like fruit salad served in a pineapple boat!
