This Tropical Burger can be made vegetarian or with meat and delivers an island-inspired flavor experience with grilled pineapple, caramelized sweet onions, and a spicy teriyaki mayo. Prepare it as a vegetarian option using a plant-based protein patty, or enjoy it with a lean beef hamburger. Either way, every bite brings a taste of paradise. YUM!
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Key Takeaways:
- A tropical burger is a fusion burger featuring pineapple and savory proteins
- It is inspired by Hawaiian-style and island cuisine
- The pineapple is usually grilled to enhance sweetness and reduce acidity
- Popular sauces include teriyaki, BBQ, and chipotle mayo
- It is commonly served on soft buns like Hawaiian rolls
- It is ideal for summer grilling, BBQ parties, and casual dining
- Variations include bacon pineapple burgers, teriyaki smash burgers, and spicy tropical burgers
Overview
This Tropical Burger recipe is a bold fusion of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, making it ideal for both vegetarians and meat lovers. It features juicy grilled pineapple glazed with buttery brown sugar, caramelized onions, and vibrant bell peppers, all balanced with a rich spicy teriyaki mayo enhanced with a hint of wasabi. Every bite brings a true island-inspired experience. Easily adaptable with either a plant-based patty or lean beef, it’s layered on toasted Hawaiian rolls for maximum flavor and texture. Perfect for BBQ grilling or a stovetop grill pan, this crowd-pleasing burger is great for summer cookouts, quick weeknight meals, or anytime you’re craving a tropical escape.
Let's Make the Spicy Teriyaki Mayo for this Tropical Burger.
The heat in this spicy mayo comes from wasabi sauce—use a little or go bold depending on how much fire you want in your burger. Along with wasabi, mix in teriyaki sauce and my favorite flavor enhancer, umami (shiitake mushroom powder). Stir everything together and spread it over toasted burger rolls for maximum flavor.
A note about the rolls: if you want extra-soft homemade Hawaiian rolls to pair with your tropical burger, head over to my blog for the Hawaiian Rolls recipe. They are absolutely worth the extra time and effort.
Grill the Veggies and Pineapple.
Heat a grill pan over medium heat on the stove, or alternatively use a BBQ grill basket for outdoor grilling. Before grilling, prepare a pineapple glaze by melting a few tablespoons of butter and blending it with brown sugar until fully combined. Use a basting brush to coat the pineapple slices evenly with the mixture before placing them on the grill. Lightly drizzle vegetable oil over the bell pepper slices and onions to prevent sticking and enhance caramelization. Grill the pineapple and vegetables in the hot grill pan until nicely charred and tender. To achieve perfect crosshatch grill marks on the pineapple, rotate each slice 90 degrees halfway through the cooking process.
Cook the Burgers, Assemble, and Enjoy Your Tropical Burger.
Use 1/4 pound of meat or plant-based protein for each burger patty. Season generously with salt and pepper according to your preference. Grill the burgers on a BBQ until they reach your desired level of doneness. Plant-based patties generally require a longer cooking time, but unlike meat, they do not become tough or dry even when fully cooked. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each burger during the final flip so it melts evenly while finishing on the grill.
To assemble the Tropical Burgers, lightly toast the rolls for added texture and flavor. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of spicy mayo on both halves of each bun. Place the cooked burger patty on the bottom bun, then layer with a grilled sweet onion slice, grilled pineapple slice, and grilled bell pepper slice. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately with a side of Sweet Freezer Pickles for a refreshing contrast.
Tropical Burger, Vegetarian or Meat
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Hamburger Meat or Beyond Burger Plant Based Protein.
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices swiss cheese
- 4 Hamburger Buns or my Homemade Hawaiian Rolls
- 4 slices of sweet onions 1/4 inch thick
- 4 red pepper round slices
Spicy Teriyaki Mayonnaise
- 6 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Teriyaki sauce
- ½ tsp wasabi paste
- 1 tsp umami powder*
Grilled Pineapple
- 4 fresh pineapple slices ½ inch thick
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
Spicy Teriyaki Mayo
- Mix together the mayo, teriyaki sauce, umami powder, and wasabi paste. Set aside.
Grilled Pineapple
- Add the melted butter to the brown sugar, Stir to Mix. Brush on both sides of the pineapple and set aside.
Grilling
- Grill the glazed pineapple slices in a hot grill pan for 30 seconds, rotate ¼ of a turn and grill for 30 more seconds. Flip slices over and grill the other side the same way. Set aside.
- Sprinkle the onion slices with a small amount of vegetable oil and place in the hot grill pan. Grill 1-2 minutes each side until translucent. Set aside.
- Sprinkle the red pepper round with a little vegetable oil and grill 1-2 minutes on each side. Until the pepper is slightly tender but still crunchy. Set aside.
- Season the hamburger or plant-based burger with salt and pepper. Form four 1/4 lb patties.
- Cook the burgers to the desired doneness. Add the swiss cheese to the burger when you flip it over the first time.
Assembly
- Toast the rolls (click here) for my Hawaiian Rolls recipe. Add ½ tbsp spicy teriyaki mayo to each half of the roll.
- Add the cooked burger with the melted swiss cheese.
- Top with a slice of onion, a slice of pineapple, and the red pepper round. Add the other half of the roll and enjoy.
