Hawaiian Burgers with Grilled Pineapple, Havarti Cheese & Sriracha Mayo: The Ultimate Tropical Cookout Delight

Get ready to fire up your grill and transport your taste buds to the islands with this unforgettable Hawaiian Burger recipe. Juicy, flame-grilled beef patties, sweet caramelized pineapple, creamy Havarti cheese, spicy sriracha mayo, and a drizzle of tangy marinade—this burger is the ultimate flavor explosion in every bite. Perfect for summer BBQs, weekend cookouts, or just when you’re craving a gourmet twist on the classic burger, these Hawaiian Burgers with Grilled Pineapple, Havarti Cheese & Sriracha Mayo are a crowd-pleasing showstopper.

Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a weekend kitchen warrior, this burger is for you. It’s ideal for anyone looking to impress friends and family with a bold, tropical-inspired burger that blends sweet, savory, creamy, and spicy elements into a perfect bite.

Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Burger

This recipe is the ultimate marriage of flavors:

• Sweet & Juicy: Grilled pineapple caramelizes beautifully on the grill, adding tropical sweetness and a juicy bite.

• Savory & Spicy: The beef patty is infused with McCormick® Grill Mates® Hawaiian Woodfire Marinade and a hint of sriracha, giving it layers of flavor.

• Creamy & Tangy: The sriracha mayo brings the perfect creamy heat to balance out the sweetness.

• Melted Cheese Perfection: Havarti adds a creamy richness that melts into the burger for a velvety bite.

This burger is what summer dreams are made of!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Hawaiian Burger Patties:

• 1 pound 80/20 lean ground chuck or beef

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

• 1/4 cup chopped red onion

• 3 tablespoons McCormick® Grill Mates® Hawaiian Woodfire Grill Single Use Marinade (reserve the rest for later)

• 1 teaspoon sriracha

• 1 teaspoon each: salt, brown sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Fixings:

• 4 hamburger buns

• 4 slices fresh pineapple

• 4 slices Havarti cheese (or Swiss)

• 4 tomato slices

• 4 butter lettuce leaves

• Optional: bacon, avocado

• Olive oil (for grill)

For the Sriracha Mayo:

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise

• 1/2 teaspoon sriracha (adjust to taste)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Burger Patties

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg. Add in ground beef, panko, chopped red onion, marinade, sriracha, salt, brown sugar, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until combined. Avoid over-mixing, which can make the burgers tough.

Form into four equal patties and press a deep indentation in the center of each with your thumb—this ensures even cooking. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes while you prep the rest.

2. Make the Sriracha Mayo

Whisk together mayo and sriracha in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the spice level. Store covered in the fridge until ready to use.

3. Grill the Pineapple

Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly grease with olive oil. Grill pineapple slices for 4–5 minutes on each side, or until grill marks form and the fruit softens.

4. Cook the Burgers

Indoor Cooking Instructions:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.

• Add patties and sear until browned, about 4 minutes.

• Flip, reduce heat to medium, and cover.

• After 2 minutes, baste with remaining marinade and top with cheese.

• Cover and cook for another 1–2 minutes, or until cheese melts and burgers reach desired doneness.

Outdoor Grill Instructions:

• Preheat and oil the grill over medium-high heat.

• Grill patties for 4–6 minutes per side, without pressing down.

• After flipping, baste with marinade and top with cheese.

• Cover and grill another 1–2 minutes until cheese is melty and delicious.

5. Toast the Buns

Place hamburger buns cut-side down on the grill or skillet for about 1 minute, until golden and lightly crispy.

6. Assemble the Burgers

Spread sriracha mayo on both sides of each bun. Add a lettuce leaf, then the burger patty with melted cheese. Top with grilled pineapple, tomato, and red onion. Optional add-ins like crispy bacon or creamy avocado can take this burger to the next level.

Drizzle with a final touch of the marinade for an extra punch of flavor. Serve immediately.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl

• Whisk

• Grill or grill pan/skillet

• Spatula or grill tongs

• Small mixing bowl

• Knife and cutting board

• Spoon or basting brush

• Foil (for tenting cooked burgers)

Storage Tips

Leftover Patties: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.

Grilled Pineapple: Keeps well in the fridge for 2–3 days. Great tossed into salads or wraps later!

Sriracha Mayo: Store any extra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

To Freeze: Uncooked patties can be frozen between parchment paper layers and sealed in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.

Tasty Pairings

These bold and juicy burgers deserve sides and drinks that match their energy. Try:

• Side Dishes: Sweet potato fries, tropical fruit salad, grilled corn with lime butter

• Drinks: Pineapple mojito, mango iced tea, or a crisp IPA

• Dessert: Coconut sorbet, grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream, or pineapple upside-down cake

Recipe Tips & Variations

• Cheese Swap: Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella are good substitutes for Havarti.

• Vegan Version: Use plant-based patties, vegan mayo, and grilled portobello mushrooms in place of cheese.

• Gluten-Free Option: Sub gluten-free panko and use gluten-free buns.

• No Grill? Use a cast iron pan or grill pan indoors to get that char.

FAQs

Can I use canned pineapple?
Fresh pineapple is best for grilling, but canned slices (in juice, not syrup) can be used in a pinch—just pat them dry before grilling.

Is Havarti cheese spicy?
No, Havarti is a mild, creamy cheese that melts beautifully, making it perfect for balancing the spicy sriracha mayo.

Can I prep these ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can make the patties, sriracha mayo, and prep the toppings a day in advance. Grill everything fresh when ready to serve.

What’s the best way to reheat the burgers?
Warm the patties in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water and cover to keep them juicy. Avoid the microwave if possible.

Can I bake the burgers instead of grilling?
Yes! Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes, then broil for 2–3 minutes to caramelize the tops.

Make Your Next Cookout Unforgettable

Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just making dinner special, these Hawaiian Burgers with Grilled Pineapple, Havarti Cheese & Sriracha Mayo bring bold island flavor that your guests will rave about.

Don’t forget to share this recipe with your fellow burger lovers and tag your burger creations on social media—we’d love to see them! And if you’re hungry for more gourmet burger recipes and grilling ideas, be sure to subscribe to the blog so you never miss a bite.

Now go ahead—grab your tongs, light up the grill, and bring a little aloha to your table!