This Hawaiian burger brings a sweet and savory taste of the islands to your grill. A juicy beef patty is topped with grilled pineapple, seared ham, Havarti cheese, and a homemade teriyaki BBQ sauce for a flavorful, filling burger that’s perfect for summer cookouts.
Hawaiian Burger
Burgers show up on my dinner rotation often — they’re quick, versatile, and endlessly customizable. These Hawaiian-style burgers are a favorite when I want something bright and bold. Grilled pineapple and a tangy-sweet teriyaki BBQ sauce pair beautifully with beef and ham to create a balanced, crave-worthy sandwich.
If you enjoy grilled pineapple, this is a perfect use for it. The caramelized rings add sweetness and texture that contrast the savory burger and salty ham. I like finishing everything with my Teriyaki BBQ Sauce for a glossy, flavorful coating that ties the whole burger together.
What is on a Hawaiian Burger?
A classic Hawaiian burger layers sweet, salty, and savory components for a satisfying bite. Typical ingredients include:
- Hawaiian rolls or soft buns
- Grilled pineapple rings
- Deli-sliced ham, lightly seared
- Havarti cheese
- Grilled beef patty
- Homemade teriyaki BBQ sauce
Optional toppings worth trying:
- Leaf lettuce
- Sliced red onion
- Candied jalapeños — they add a sweet heat that complements the pineapple
How to Make a Hawaiian Burger
These burgers involve a few components, so a little planning helps. Prep the sauce and pineapple ahead of time if you can — it makes the grilling and assembly much smoother. Below is a straightforward approach to building these burgers at home.
- Prep grill, sauce, and patties. Preheat the grill to medium-high for two-zone cooking. Make the teriyaki BBQ sauce and set it aside. Form 1/3-pound beef patties (80/20 ground chuck is a good choice) and season with a beef rub or simply salt and pepper.
- Grill burgers and pineapple. Cook burgers over direct heat about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness and desired doneness. Add pineapple to the grill after flipping the burgers; pineapple needs about 4–8 minutes per side to develop char and heat through.
- Add cheese and sauce. When patties reach about 155°F internal temperature, top each with a slice of Havarti and a spoonful of teriyaki BBQ sauce so the cheese melts and the sauce warms.
- Grill the ham. Sear the deli ham for 1–2 minutes per side until warmed and slightly caramelized.
- Assemble the burgers. Layer from bottom to top: bottom bun, lettuce, burger with melted Havarti, ham, grilled pineapple, red onion, candied jalapeños (optional), extra teriyaki BBQ sauce, and top bun. Serve immediately.
Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce
The teriyaki BBQ sauce is central to these burgers. It’s a sweet-tart, savory blend that typically includes onion, garlic, ginger, crushed pineapple, teriyaki, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Because it benefits from sautéing and blending, I recommend making the sauce ahead of time — even the day before — to simplify the day you grill.
More BBQ Burger Recipes
If you love grilled burgers, try experimenting with different builds. A few other favorite burger recipes worth trying:
- Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers
- Smoked Hamburgers
- Bourbon BBQ Crunch Burger
Hawaiian Burger Recipe
This Hawaiian teriyaki burger recipe was created for backyard grillers looking for bold, balanced flavor. The goal is to help you grill better and enjoy time with family and friends. Below is a concise recipe card with ingredients, instructions, and notes to guide you through making six burgers.
Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 6 Hawaiian hamburger buns
- 6–12 slices deli ham
- 6 grilled pineapple slices
- 6 slices Havarti cheese
- 6 tablespoons homemade teriyaki BBQ sauce
- Candied jalapeños (optional)
- Sliced red onion (optional)
- Green lettuce leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high for two-zone cooking.
- Prepare the teriyaki BBQ sauce and set aside.
- Form ground beef into six 1/3-pound patties and season with rub or salt and pepper.
- Grill burgers over direct heat 5–7 minutes per side, adjusting for thickness and desired doneness.
- Grill pineapple 4–8 minutes per side after flipping burgers, until charred and heated through.
- When patties reach about 155°F, top each with Havarti and a spoonful of teriyaki sauce to melt and glaze.
- Sear ham on the grill 1–2 minutes per side until warmed and slightly caramelized.
- Assemble: bottom bun, lettuce, burger, ham, pineapple, red onion, candied jalapeños (optional), extra teriyaki sauce, top bun. Serve immediately.
Notes
For full details on the grilled pineapple, teriyaki BBQ sauce, or candied jalapeños, consult the specific recipes for those components and prepare them ahead of time for the smoothest assembly.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 33 g |
Protein: 44 g |
Fat: 44 g
Nutrition information is an approximation.