Hawaiian Burgers with Grilled Onion and wasabi mayo

If you’re looking for a burger recipe that’s anything but ordinary, these Hawaiian Burgers are about to become one of your favorite recipes. Juicy beef patties are topped with caramelized onions, sweet grilled pineapple, crisp lettuce, and a creamy wasabi mayo that takes this burger to the next level. Whether you’re cooking out for family dinner or hosting friends on the patio, these may just become the best burgers on your summer menu.

Why I love these hamburgers so much

I can’t remember when I started making these burgers. If my memory serves me correct we had them at a friends house and I went home and made my version of them…or maybe I asked for the recipe. I honestly cannot recall. What I do know is that when summer grilling is getting boring, and you are sick of plain ol’ hamburgers these juicy and super tasty pineapple grilled burgers are the perfect alternative to revive your love of grilling out. They take a little bit more prep, but honestly they are still super easy. I love to pair these with my Spicy Ginger Slaw, which is in the photo above. Baked beans are also a great side dish, or what ever is your favorite. Don’t over think it. Just make these burgers soon!

Gather these ingredients

• mayonnaise
• honey
• soy sauce
• wasabi paste or wasabi powder

How to make Hawaiian Burgers

Step 1: Make the Burger Patties

In a large bowl, gently combine ground beef with finely chopped onion, teriyaki sauce, beef bouillon, salt, and pepper. Form into thick patties. I divide 2 lbs of ground beef into 6 hamburger patties. Drain the pineapple slices and lay them on paper towel. Once you have your patties made press a pineapple slice into each burger.

Step 2: Grill the Onions

Brush the onions lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper before grilling. Cook until beautiful grill marks appear and the onions become soft and caramelized.

Step 3: Grill the Burgers

Place burgers over medium-high heat. Pineapple side up.

Cook the first side for 4-5 minutes without pressing down on the patties. Flip once and continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer reads 160°F.

Step 4: Toast the Buns

Lightly toast the bottom buns and top buns on the grill, or on a griddle or in a skillet for extra flavor.

Step 5: mixing wasabi mayo together

In a small bowl add mayonnaise, wasabi paste, soy sauce, and honey, whisk until smooth. Set aside.

Step 6: Assemble

Spread wasabi mayo on both buns, and layer with grilled onion and fresh ingredients like lettuce, and slices of tomato.

Tips for the Best Hawaiian Burgers

• Use an 85/15 or 80/20 beef blend for the most flavorful, juicy burgers.
• Don’t overwork the meat when you combine ground beef.
• Canned pineapple works better for this recipe. If you want to simply grill pineapple and not insert it into the actual burger patty then use fresh pineapple.
• Wait until burgers naturally release from the grill before flipping to get perfect grill marks.
• Use an instant-read thermometer rather than guessing when burgers are done.
• Toasting your hamburger buns, brioche buns, or Hawaiian rolls helps keep them from getting soggy.

Variations

1. Make spicy hawaiian burgers -Love heat? Add extra wasabi powder, sliced jalapeños, or a drizzle of sriracha to make delicious spicy Hawaiian burgers.
2. Try using different buns – We prefer brioche, however an onion bun, or a larger sized hawaiian bun are also fabulous with this burger. Just remember to toast your buns!
3. Additional fun toppings – Try avocado, bacon, or grilled mushrooms for your own perfect burger.
4. Make it a Hawaiian Cheese Burger – Just before taking the hamburgers off the grill add a slice of pepper jack, gouda, havarti, or provolone cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make these burgers ahead of time? Yes! Shape the patties up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to grill.
2. How do I keep burgers juicy? Avoid overmixing the meat when you combine ground beef, cook over medium-high heat, and check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
3. Are teriyaki sauce and soy sauce interchangeable? Not really. They are two different sauces. They can be substituted for each other, but teriyaki will had more of a sweet profile to the burger like a barbecue sauce would.
4. What onions work best? Both sweet onion (like a Vidalia) and red onion are delicious. Sweet onions become wonderfully caramelized, while red onions offer a little sharper flavor.
5. Can I make these ahead and freeze them? Yes you can. Prepare them, and flash freeze them on a baking sheet, when they are fully frozen, remove them and place them in a freezer safe zip-loc bag separating them with parchment paper or plastic wrap.
6. Storage? Store leftover patties separately from the toppings and buns in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat gently and assemble fresh for the best texture.

Thanks for stopping by…

There’s something about the combination of grilled beef, caramelized onions, grilled pineapple, and creamy wasabi mayo that makes these Hawaiian Burgers unforgettable. They’re sweet, savory, just a little spicy, and perfect for everything from backyard cookouts to easy family dinners. Serve them with crispy sweet potato fries, gather everyone around the table, and enjoy a burger that’s guaranteed to become one of your favorite recipes all summer long.

If you make these Hawaiian Burgers, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know if you made any delicious additions or changes. Don’t forget to save this recipe for your next cookout, pin it to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it later, and if you enjoyed it, I’d be so grateful if you’d give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card. Your comments, pins, and ratings help more home cooks discover Eat2Gather recipes! From my table to yours with love, Sheila