This aloha burger recipe makes homemade Bonzai burger-inspired burgers topped with teriyaki sauce and grilled pineapple. They’re an easy summer dinner packed with flavor that’s perfect for grilling season.
These aloha burgers are an easy way to switch up burger night with a sweet and savory combination of teriyaki sauce and grilled pineapple. Inspired by restaurant-style burgers, like Bonzai burgers, they bring big flavor without a lot of extra work.
The juicy burgers pair perfectly with the caramelized pineapple and rich teriyaki sauce for a dinner that feels a little fancier than a classic burger. They’re a great option for summer cookouts, easy dinners, and grilling nights.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Ground beef: I’ve used slightly leaner ground beef, like 85% or 88%, and that also works. However, I’ve found that using ground beef that’s leaner than that gives me drier burgers. You can also swap in ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.
- Garlic powder: Be sure to use garlic powder, not garlic salt.
- Teriyaki sauce: I like to use either Kinder or Trader Joe’s teriyaki sauce.
- Swiss cheese: This is traditionally used with Aloha burgers, but feel free to use whatever type of cheese you like.
- Pineapple: If you’d like to use fresh pineapple, check out my how to cut a pineapple tutorial for how to cut pineapple rings.
How to make aloha burgers
Here you’ll find instructions and step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Step 1: To make the burger patties. divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and gently form into patties.
Step 2: Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Step 4: Grill burgers for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until cooked to your preferred doneness.
Step 5: During the last minute of cooking, brush burgers lightly with teriyaki sauce.
Step 6: Add Swiss cheese, and let it melt.
Step 7: Place pineapple rings on the grill for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly caramelized.
Step 8: Lightly toast buns on the grill for 1–2 minutes.
Step 9: Assemble the burgers, and top with additional teriyaki sauce, if desired.
Recipe Tips!
- Don’t overwork the meat: Mix and form the patties gently to keep the burgers tender.
- Use a thicker teriyaki sauce: A thicker sauce stays on the burger better and adds more flavor.
- Cook burgers just until done: Overcooking can dry them out.
- Prep toppings ahead: Having everything ready makes burger assembly quick and easy.
- Serving suggestions: Serve with fries, corn on the cob, fresh veggies, or other easy summer sides.
Storage
The burgers are best eaten when freshly made. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
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Aloha Burger
Ingredients
Burgers
- 1 pound lean ground beef 80/20 works well
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Toppings
- ¼ cup teriyaki sauce I like Kinder
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 pineapple rings fresh or canned, drained
- 4 burger buns
- Sliced red onion
- Topping ideas: lettuce, crispy bacon, mayonnaise
Instructions
- To make the burger patties. divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and gently form into patties.1 pound lean ground beef
- Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill burgers for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until cooked to your preferred doneness.
- During the last minute of cooking, brush burgers lightly with teriyaki sauce.¼ cup teriyaki sauce
- Add Swiss cheese, and let it melt.4 slices Swiss cheese
- Place pineapple rings on the grill for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly caramelized.4 pineapple rings
- Lightly toast buns on the grill for 1–2 minutes.4 burger buns
- Assemble: Place the burger patty on the bottom bun. Top with a grilled pineapple slice, a drizzle of teriyaki sauce, desired toppings, and then the top bun.
Notes
- Ground beef: I’ve used slightly leaner ground beef, like 85% or 88%, and that also works. However, I’ve found that using ground beef that’s leaner than that gives me drier burgers.
- Garlic powder: Be sure to use garlic powder, not garlic salt.
- Teriyaki sauce: I like to use either Kinder or Trader Joe’s teriyaki sauce.
- Swiss cheese: This is traditionally used with Aloha burgers, but feel free to use whatever type of cheese you like.
- Pineapple: If you’d like to use fresh pineapple, check out my how to cut a pineapple tutorial for how to cut pineapple rings.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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