Hawaiian Burgers
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Burger night is one of my favorite excuses to fire up the grill. These Hawaiian burgers cook up quickly any night of the week, and my kids love them. Best of all, almost everything for this meal can be prepped ahead to save time on a busy night!
Whenever we’re grilling, I like to add something unexpected to the menu. Fresh pineapple is one of my favorite additions because it caramelizes beautifully on the grill, giving the burgers a tropical-inspired twist.
Paired with soy free teriyaki sauce, this recipe has become one we look forward to making all summer. It’s an easy way to change up our usual burger routine.
Why This Recipe is a Family Favorite
These Hawaiian burgers are just as easy to make for a family dinner as they are for a backyard cookout. Since everything cooks on the grill, cleanup is simple and the kitchen stays cool, even on warm summer evenings.
They’re also easy to customize. Serve them in lettuce wraps or on toasted buns, then let everyone choose their favorite toppings so each burger is exactly the way they like it.
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my important mom-tested cooking tips for making this recipe! I’ve made this countless times to save you from a failed attempt.
- Prep all of the toppings before you start grilling. This way, you can assemble the burgers while the patties are still hot.
- Lightly oil the grill grates before adding the pineapple so the slices release easily.
- Choose a pineapple that’s ripe but still firm so it holds together well on the grill.
- Avoid pressing the burger patties while they cook or you’ll lose those flavorful juices.
- Let the burgers rest for a few minutes before serving so they stay nice and juicy.
- Toast the buns, if you’re using them, to add a little texture and help keep the teriyaki sauce from soaking through.
Ingredients
You’ll only need a handful of fresh ingredients to make these Hawaiian burgers.
Ground beef makes juicy, flavorful patties, though ground chicken or turkey work well if you’d like a lighter option.
Fresh pineapple adds juicy sweetness that balances the savory burgers perfectly. If fresh isn’t available, canned pineapple rings work too. Just pat them dry before grilling so they caramelize instead of steam.
Homemade teriyaki sauce adds the sweet and savory flavor that makes these burgers stand out, but feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand.
I cook bacon in the air fryer so it gets extra crispy. You can cook it however you’d like—even on the grill next to the teriyaki burgers would be great!
Lettuce wraps keep the meal light and fresh, while toasted hamburger buns are a delicious option for more traditional burgers. Gluten-free buns also work well if needed.
How to Make the Hawaiian Burgers
For the full instructions, scroll or jump to the recipe card! ⬇️
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- Make the teriyaki sauce by simmering the sauce ingredients until they reduce enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Gently mix the beef, seasonings, and teriyaki sauce together. Overmixing can make the burgers tough, so mix only until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Helpful Tip
For a smoother sauce, strain it through a sieve before setting it aside to cool.
- Divide the mixture into four even patties so they'll cook evenly on the grill. Press a shallow indentation into the center of each one to help the burgers stay flatter as they cook.
- Grill the pineapple until the slices are lightly caramelized, with beautiful grill marks on both sides. Keep a close eye on it because the natural sugars will brown quickly.
- Assemble each teriyaki burger on a lettuce wrap or toasted bun with a slice of grilled pineapple, bacon, red onion, and an extra drizzle of teriyaki sauce. Serve right away while everything is still warm.
Make it Kid-Friendly
Set the toppings out buffet-style and let everyone build their own burger. It's a simple way to make dinner more interactive, and kids can choose exactly what they'd like to add to their Hawaiian burger.
Teriyaki Burger Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Cook the burgers in a grill pan or skillet on the stovetop, then broil the pineapple slices for about 3 minutes per side to caramelize them. Watch them closely so they don't burn.
The safest way is to use an instant-read thermometer. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
How to Meal Prep this Dinner
Everything you need for this meal can be prepped and/or cooked up to 4 days ahead. If you want to grill the burger patties the day you plan to serve them, that's fine. Just wrap the raw burger patties in plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge until about a half hour before you plan to grill them.
To cook the meal ahead for the week:
Store the cooked burgers, pineapple, and toppings in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat the Hawaiian burgers and grilled pineapple slices:
- Oven or toaster oven: Reheat in a 350°F. oven on a sheet pan.
- Skillet or grill pan: Reheat the burger patties in over medium heat.
- Air fryer: Place the burgers and pineapple slices in the basket and air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
If you're planning a backyard luau, serve these burgers alongside sweet Hawaiian chicken, and a pitcher of summer punch.
After you make it, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how it went!
Hawaiian Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce see below
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Teriyaki Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic or 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 Medjool dates pitted
- 1 inch fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- ¼ cup coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or distilled white vinegar
Toppings
- 8 pieces bacon
- 4 large lettuce leaves or burger buns of choice
- ½ medium red onion
- 4 fresh pineapple slices
Instructions
- Cook 8 pieces bacon, wash 4 large lettuce leaves (if using), and cut ½ medium red onion into thick slices.
Make the Teriyaki Sauce
- Mince 2 cloves garlic, 2 Medjool dates (pitted), and 1 inch fresh ginger. Add the minced ingredients to a small saucepan with ¼ cup coconut aminos and 2 tablespoons rice vinegar. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Allow sauce to simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until reduced enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Optional step: Strain the sauce through cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve, pressing the mixture gently to separate all the liquid from the solids.
Make the Patties
- Mix the 1 lb. ground beef with the 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Form into 4 patties.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. Set the burgers on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness.
Grill the Pineapple
- Peel, core and cut 4 fresh pineapple slices about ½ inch thick. Lay them directly on a well oiled and hot grill for about 3 minutes per side, but turn them often to prevent too much charring.
Assemble
- Assemble each lettuce wrap or bun with a slice of grilled pineapple, a teriyaki burger patty, bacon, red onion, and extra teriyaki sauce Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
2026 Update: This recipe is still a favorite of ours! It's been updated to simplify the cooking instructions and include extra cooking tips. We hope you love it as much as we do!
How do you come up with these amazing recipes? Burgers on pineapple! I would have never imagined how delicious this tastes. You need to start your own restaurant or something!
I’m rewriting my comment, lol your website called me a spammer. Makes me sad. I didn’t know if I would delete my original question or not lol.
I asked you since I don’t do meats that well, could I just use jackfruit for this recipe? I don’t use beef at all period. I used to use Turkey meat a lot then I read somewhere that it’s actually bad for us? Have you heard that? I really want to do this recipe!!! Everything about it SCREAMS FOR ME!!! Thanks for your time Laura!!! 💕
Hi Candace, So sorry about that! I have a comment filter that sometimes thinks emojis are spam. So strange! But yes, of course! Jackfruit is soooo delicious and an awesome substitution!!!
Im not a fan of meat anymore – except chicken – even then im a little iffy.
However!! Could I just use jackfruit instead for the “meat” ? This whole thing looks incredible and ive got to have it!!!!!! 💕
The grilled pineapple makes the burger! The homemade teriyaki was really good too. Thanks I can’t wait to make this again.