The hawaiian burger recipe is the ultimate combination of sweet, sour and tropical flavors. Adding to the allure is that this burger packs what makes..
any basic beef patty, piece of cheese or slab of lettuce on a bun so good, only now there’s grilled pineapple; teriyaki sauce too and sometimes ham — or bacon. It is really a fun twist and takes you taste-buds to Hawaii on the sandy beach.
We are going to give you a fool-proof, step-by-step how-to on making the best Hawaiian burger. An excellent option for both the working home chef or a burger fan stretching something new, this recipe will soon have you having that tropical burger feel.
The Perfect Hawaiian Burger Creamy Pineapple Enjoy!
Burger Patties:
Four 4.oz Hand Packed Patties (1.5 lbs) — Ground Beef, 80/20 Blend
Salt and pepper to season the patties
Olive oil – for grilling
Toppings:
If fresh pineapple is not available then you can use canned slices which are readily available in the market. 4 rings of pineapple
1 small red onion, halved and then very thinly sliced — lightly grilled or fresh
Crisp romaine or butter lettuce leaves
Fresh ripe slices of tomato
4 slices of Cheddar cheese — or Optional 4 slices of bacon strips
Thin ham slices 4 (for the Hawaiian touch) if desired.
Jalapeño slices — if you like it spicy (optional)
Buns and Condiments:
Brioche bun or Hawaiian sweet buns — 4
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce for basting and dipping
Mayonnaise – ¼ cup
Sriracha – 1tblsp (optional for a spicy mayo)
Toast buns with butter
How to Create the Best Hawaiian Burger in 6 Easy Steps
1. Prepare the Burger Patties
Shape your ground beef into 4 patties. Thick enough so they cook evenly- about 1 inch. Place chicken on a plate and season each side with salt & pepper.
Create a shallow depression in the center of each Ahi patty for best results. This also ensures that the burger cooks evenly, as it does not puff up while grilling.
2. Grill the Pineapple
It is best with fresh pineapple, sliced into ½-inch rings. Also perfect with canned pineapple rings! Heat your grill or a griddle pan to medium-high and brush the pineapple rings lightly with olive oil.
Place Pineapple on Charging Grill and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until you get nice char marks. Not only does this caramelization give the best flavor to a burger, it also adds sweetness and depth.
3. Cook the Patties
Preheat your grill to medium high or heat a stove top skillet over high heat. Coat the grill or skillet with a bit of olive oil so hen wouldn´t stick.
Press patties, using a finger or thumb to press an indent into the center (this helps cook them evenly) and place on grill; cooking 4-5 minutes per side. If you are after medium, go for 160°F in the middle of it all.
During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add a slice of cheddar or Swiss cheese on top; it will melt. During this time, grill or crisp up the ham and bacon slices if using.
4. Toast the Buns
Butter a brioche or Hawaiian bun on both sides of the inside. Toast them on the grill or in a skillet for approximately 1-minute until golden and somewhat crunchy.
5. Make the Sauces
Slather it on to elevate your burger or mix ¼ cup of mayonnaise with a full tablespoon teriyaki sauce for a creamy, tangy spread. If you like spicy just add 1 tablespoon of sriracha.
6. Assemble the Hawaiian Burger
And now for the fun part — building that bad boy. 💪
Begin with the bottom half of your bun.
Slather that bun with a generous amount of your teriyaki mayo.
Add a lettuce crunch to the mixture.
Add the deliciously juicy beef patty, with melted cheese
Top with the grilled pineapple ring.
Serve with a tomato slice and red onion if you desire something extra-savory!
Top with the crispy bacon or ham, and drizzle over extra teriyaki sauce to serve.
Add the top bun and enjoy your burger!
How to Make a Hawaiian Burger
Brush with teriyaki sauce: The last few minutes of grilling, brush the burger patties a little bit of so they can have some tropical goodness since we are calling them Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Burgers.
And that they’re served on Hawaiian buns: Brioche buns are fine and Swiss Miss probably has the market cornered anyway, but these enriched sweet rolls offer just a hint of sweetness to complement everything else.
Munch on everything all at once: get that juicy beef, crispy lettuce, sweet pineapple and creamy sauce Different textures balance one another!
Hawaiian Burger Recipe Adaptions
Hawaiian burger is the one that has so many flavors, it’s impossible to decide what its actual origin might be. Easily adjustable to your taste or dietary preference.
1. Vegetarian Hawaiian Burger:
Opt for veggie burger, grilled portobello mushroom as an alternative to beef patty
Or use vegan cheese and mayo for a completely plant based burger.
2. Hawaiian Turkey/Chicken Burgers,
Swap the beef for ground turkey or a grilled chicken breast.
The pineapple and teriyaki sauce are perfect for these lighter meats.
3. Spicy Hawaiian Burger:
Turn up the heat on this tropical delight by adding grilled jalapeños or a spicy sriracha mayo.
4. Hawaiian BBQ Burger:
Trade the teriyaki sauce for BBQ and enjoy a smoky-sweet flavor.
FAQs About Hawaiian Burgers
1. So what separates a Hawaiian burger from your everyday burger?
Frankly, there is no kind of Hawaiian burger as the toppings used are only distinct like for example pineapple and teriyaki sauce. This sweetness and saltiness complements the savory beef patty perfectly, providing a sweet/salty taste experience.
2. Can we use canned pineapple here instead of the fresh one?
That said, if you must use it can pineapple. the fresh stuff is better when possible for a superior texture and flavor. If using canned, make sure to grill the rings before hand for a little natural sweetness and char.
3. Read on to learn which cheeses are best for our Hawaiian burger
Although Cheddar and Swiss cheese are the two most common, you could try others such as provolone or pepper jack to give it a little heat.
4. Q: Is it possible to make a vegetarian Hawaiian burger?
Absolutely! Swap the beef patty for a veggie burger or grilled portobello mushroom cap. But you can use all the same toppings like pineapple, cheese and teriyaki sauce to get that classic Hawaiian burger flavor.
5. Can I grill or skillet the burger patties?
Both methods work great. Grilling infuses the burger with a charred smokiness that complements its tropical flavors, but cooking in an iron skillet allows you total control over how well-done your patty’s going to be.
6. Hawaiian Burger Bun
I am hooked on Hawaiian Sweet Buns as they add to the sweet level from the pineapple. Although brioche buns are good for a slightly buttery, rich flavor.
7. What else can I put on my Hawaiian burger?
Yes! Bacon, ham or even jalapeños and grilled onions are often popular additions. It is also customizable according to you.
8. How to add more heat into the burger?
For a little more heat… grilled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese or mix some sriracha into the mayo for liven up your sandwich.
9. What about turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Ground turkey or a grilled chicken breast will also work in place of beef. These would pair wonderfully with lighter meats as well — the pineapple and teriyaki sauce for example.
10. How do I store leftovers?
If you made some patties ahead, place them into an airtight container in the fridge (for no longer than 72 hours). To reheat, use a pot on the stovetop or microwave. Do not put them together as the buns get too wet.
Conclusion
The Hawaiian burger combines the best of tropical cuisine with classic burger construction. Whether it’s for a summer BBQ on the grill or you just want to switch up your burger game, this recipe is really going to hit the spot. This burger is your go-to-land-and-order-no-matter-how-good-you-think-the-servers-best-dish-is-because-this-will-taste-like-Hawaii kind of taste trip. Time to heat up the grill, and bring a little bit of island goodness to your taste buds!