Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers topped with pineapple, onion, shredded cabbage and a sweet teriyaki sauce on a grilled bun will make you feel like you are having dinner on a tropical island!
¾Tablespoonfresh gingerfinely grated on a microplane
⅛teaspooncayenne pepperoptional - just for background flavor
¾Tablespoongrated orange peel
¾Tablespoontoasted sesame oil
For the Burgers
1 ½pounds80/20 ground beef
4slicespineapple
1red onionsliced
olive oil
sea salt and ground black pepper
4sliceswhite cheddar or provolone cheese
4hamburger buns
shredded cabbage or lettuce
Instructions
To make the Teriyaki Sauce
Place the sugar, tamari, pineapple juice, garlic, ginger and cayenne in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the orange zest and sesame oil. Whisk together and continue cooking for a minute or so until the sauce starts to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
To make the Burgers
Heat up gas grill or start a charcoal grill.
Brush both sides of the onion and pineapple slices with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Form your hamburger patties and brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place the burger patties on the grill and cook until halfway cooked through, about 5 minutes.
Flip the burgers over and cook on the other side until just about cooked through, about 5 additional minutes. Brush the burgers with teriyaki sauce, flip back over the to other side and brush with the teriyaki sauce.
Place cheese slices on top of the burgers and cook until cheese is melted. Remove from grill, cover with foil and set aside.
Place the onion and pineapple rings on the grill and cook until charred.
Flip them over and char the second side. Brush burger buns with olive oil and place on the grill until golden brown.
Assemble the burgers with shredded cabbage or lettuce, a cheese topped burger patty, pineapple and onion slices and additional teriyaki sauce on a hamburger bun.
Notes
My onion slices were about a 1/4-inch thick, but you can make them thicker if you prefer.
These canned pineapple slices are very thin. For thicker slices, slice your own fresh pineapple, or purchase thicker canned slices.
For an even easier meal, make the teriyaki sauce ahead of time or use a bottle of store-bought sauce.