Hawaiian Burger

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients:

Hawaiian Burger Patties

• 1 pound 80/20 ground chuck or beef
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 3 Tbsp Hawaiian Marinade (see recipe below, reserve rest for basting/drizzling)
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Hamburger Fixings

• 4 hamburger buns
• 4 slices pineapple (fresh preferred, canned optional)
• 4 slices Havarti cheese (sub Swiss, cheddar, or pepper jack)
• 4 tomato slices
• 4 lettuce leaves (butter lettuce recommended)
• Bacon (optional)
• Avocado (optional)
• Olive oil (for grilling)

Sriracha Mayo

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)

Instructions:

1. Make the patties:

   In a large bowl, whisk egg.

   Add beef, panko, onion, 3 Tbsp marinade, sriracha, salt, brown sugar, and pepper.

   Mix gently until just combined.

   Form into 4 patties, press a small indentation in the center of each, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

2. Make the Sriracha mayo:

   Whisk together mayonnaise and sriracha until smooth.

   Refrigerate until ready to use.

3. Grill the pineapple:

   Lightly oil a grill or skillet and heat to medium-high.

   Cook pineapple slices 4–5 minutes per side (fresh) or 2–3 minutes per side (canned) until caramelized with grill marks.

   Remove from heat.

4. Cook the burgers:

   Outdoor grill: Preheat to medium-high and grease grates. Cook patties 4–6 minutes per side until browned. Baste with marinade, then top with cheese. Cover and cook 1–2 minutes until cheese melts.

   Indoor skillet: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook patties ~4 minutes on one side, flip, reduce to medium, and cover. After 2 minutes, baste with marinade and add cheese. Cover and cook 1–2 more minutes.

5. Toast the buns:

   Place buns cut-side down on the grill or skillet.

   Toast for about 1 minute until golden.

   Spread with Sriracha mayo.

6. Assemble the burgers:

   Layer lettuce, burger patty with cheese and marinade, grilled pineapple, tomato, and red onion.

   Drizzle with extra marinade if desired.

7. Serve immediately

Hawaiian Marinade Substitute

Makes ~1 cup

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar (or white sugar)
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
• 2 Tbsp finely minced onion (or 1/2 tsp onion powder)
• 2 Tbsp finely minced red or green bell pepper (optional, for authenticity)
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• 1/2 tsp cornstarch (optional, for light thickening)

Instructions:

• Whisk all ingredients together in a saucepan.
• Bring to a light simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Cool before using as a marinade or burger drizzle.

This recipe is inspired by the original Hawaiian Burger recipe and McCormick® Grill Mates® Hawaiian Woodfire Grill Marinade, but it is not affiliated with or endorsed by McCormick. The homemade marinade substitute provided is our own version,