Hawaiian Burger Recipe

Juicy pineapple, tangy BBQ sauce, and a thick slice of bacon meld into a uniquely intense flavor atop my Hawaiian sliders. Ready in 30 minutes, you can prepare this recipe on the stove or outside on the grill. 

Love today’s recipe? Our grilled huli huli chicken is a favorite in our family. Or give our kalua pork recipe for another hawaiian inspired meal.

Burger on a bun with cheese, pineapple salsa, bacon, and bbq sauce.


Why These Hawaiian Sliders Are Best

We love making easy sliders for dinner. Whether it’s a batch of my copycat White Castle Sliders, or this easy Buffalo Chicken slider recipe.

You may ask, WHY I love them so much?

They can quickly feed a crowd and are the type of dish that your guests will be talking about afterward.

If you’ve ever been to Meatheads, these will remind you of their Hawaiian burger!

  • Easy to assemble, and quick to cook!
  • Homemade pineapple salsa adds a bright and fresh flavor to a classic burger everyone loves.
  • Everything is better with bacon, and this recipe is no exception.

Love sliders? Be sure to add our french dip sliders to your menu next!

Important Ingredients

  • Ground Beef – Reach for “lean” ground beef for this recipe, around a 90/10 ratio of lean meat to fat.
  • Bacon – Extra fat from the bacon topping is critical for meshing all of the flavors in this recipe.
  • Pineapple Salsa – Store-bought pineapple salsa will work for this recipe, but my homemade pineapple salsa is the best match. It takes 30 minutes to prep and is loaded with fresh ingredients. Whatever you use, make sure it’s fresh!
  • Cheese Slices – I love sliced pepper jack for this recipe. You can also substitute with manchego or swiss gruyere, which are great pairs for pineapple.
  • BBQ Sauce – Look for a tangy BBQ Sauce. I love Sweet Baby Ray’s original sauce, but any sweet and tangy sauce will do here. 
  • Steak Seasoning – Season your meat! Yes, there are plenty of flavors packed into the toppings, but there’s really no reason not to add a little more to the sliders themselves. You’ll thank me later.
  • Slider Buns – If you can find them, try Hawaiian rolls for your slider buns. The fluffy, sweet interior of the roll will melt in your mouth and add a new dimension to this meal.
Trio of sliders on a plate and topped with bbq sauce.

How to Make Hawaiian Sliders

  1. Prep The Toppings – Once you start the grill, your sliders will be coming off quickly! Prep your toppings first, so they’re ready to go before the meat. Set up your serving station too, so it’s easy to plate the patties as they come off the fire.
  2. Start Your Grill – Fire up the grill, or a grill pan on your stovetop, so that it’s hot and ready for the patties as soon as they are formed. If you are using a wood or charcoal grill, expect this process to take longer. You might consider lighting it before topping prep instead.
  3. Form The Patties – In a large stainless steel or glass mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with your steak seasoning. Make sure it is well-mixed because you won’t want to end up with the intensity of a whole heap of seasoning in a single bite. Shape the patties by hand into an equal size and thickness, resting them on a plate until the grill is ready.
  4. Fire & Serve – Add your patties to the grill or a hot grill pan for 4-5 minutes per side or until you reach the desired doneness. Top and serve immediately! They are best when still hot.
Hawaiian burger with toppings.

How to Serve Hawaiian Sliders

One of my favorite parts of this meal is the number of suitable side pairings. 

Hawaiian Sliders topped with cheese, bacon, salsa, and bbq sauce.

Easy Potluck Recipes

Hawaiian Burgers

5 from 2 votes
By: Aimee
Hawaiian Sliders are juicy, tangy Beef and Bacon Burgers with a homemade Pineapple Salsa. You’ll love this delicious dinner idea!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 sliders

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 Tablespoon steak seasoning
  • 6 slices bacon cooked until crispy (or desired texture)
  • 3 slices pepperjack cheese
  • ½ cup bbq sauce I love Sweet Baby Rays
  • 1 cup pineapple salsa
  • 6 slider buns
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Instructions 

  • Preheat grill pan or grill until hot for burgers!
  • Combine ground beef with steak seasoning in a large bowl, using your hands. Divide the meat into 6 equal sized portions. Pat them into patties, a little larger than your slider buns (they will shrink slightly while cooking). Press your thumb into the center of the patty to make an indent.
  • Heat on hot grill pan for about 4-5 minutes per side (until desired doneness). We like ours medium well done.
  • To serve, to each burger with a half a slice of pepperjack cheese, a slice of cooked bacon, a little bit of bbq sauce and a dollop of fresh Pineapple Salsa. EAT and enjoy warm!

Notes

  • Before you start making this meal, consider how long it takes for your grill to heat up and plan your time accordingly. This shouldn’t be a concern If you’re using a grill pan.
  • Let guests serve themselves, and prep your toppings in advance! Nobody likes a cold slider, and having a well-laid serving station ready to go will ensure yours are still hot for that delicious first bite.
  • If you’re concerned about the buns getting soggy, try toasting them first. Spread a tiny amount of butter over the open face and then place it face down on the open grill (or pan) for about 30 seconds. Just be careful not to burn them.
  • Sliders are a fun meal. If you can, try to include guests in the preparation. None of the steps are complicated, and there is a particular satisfaction that comes from having a hand in the meal.
  • If you’ve got more salsa than you need for the sliders, consider keeping a bag of tortilla chips nearby for easy snacking after the meal or while cooking. 
  • Pizza. Next up be sure to give our Hawaiian Pizza a try!
  • Nutrition

    Calories: 434kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 93mg, Sodium: 793mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 12g
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!


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    About Aimee

    Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

    Learn more about Aimee.

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    Posted on June 13, 2017

    Comments & Reviews

    1. Love the idea of putting pineapple salsa on a burger! These sliders are perfect for a summer gathering!

      1. We love it on fish tacos too!!! Or with chips. Or on chicken…and now on burgers 🙂

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