Around the Campfire
Hawaiian burgers bring a little sweetness to burger night. Griddled pineapple, Swiss cheese, and teriyaki sauce make a familiar burger feel like a campsite special.
Why This Recipe Works
The Blackstone can sear burgers and caramelize pineapple on the same surface. The sauce goes on at assembly so it does not burn.
Quick Facts
- Serves: 4
- Heat zone: Medium-high
- Best for: Burger night, summer trips, kid-friendly dinners
- Teaches: Sweet topping timing
Shopping List
- Ground beef
- Pineapple
- Swiss cheese
- Teriyaki sauce
- Buns
- Salt and pepper
Home Prep
Form burger portions before the trip. Pack pineapple and sauce separately.
Cooler Packing
Keep beef cold and below ready-to-eat foods. Keep cheese and pineapple sealed.
Equipment
- Blackstone griddle
- Heavy spatula
- Tongs
- Instant-read thermometer
Heat Zones
Use medium-high for the patties, and a cooler zone for buns.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 pounds (about 600 g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 4 pineapple rings (fresh or canned, about 1/2-inch thick)
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the griddle to medium-high heat (375-425°F).
- Split ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 1/3 lb each). Shape into patties and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place buns, split side down, on a cooler part of the griddle. Toast until golden, then set aside.
- Cook burger patties on the hot zone. Sear until browned on the first side, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (about 3-4 more minutes).
- While burgers cook, grill pineapple rings for 1-2 minutes per side, until lightly browned and caramelized.
- Top each burger patty with a slice of Swiss cheese. Cover briefly to melt the cheese, if needed.
- Assemble burgers on toasted buns. Top with griddled pineapple rings and spoon about 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce over each.
Doneness
Ground beef should reach 160°F.
Common Mistakes
- Adding sauce too early.
- Overloading pineapple.
- Toasting buns before the burgers are close.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with street corn, chips, fruit, or slaw. Offer extra teriyaki sauce, lettuce, or sliced red onion at the table if desired.
Variations
- Use pepper jack.
- Add bacon.
- Serve as sliders.
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free buns and verified sauce.
- Dairy-free: Skip cheese.
- Low-carb: Serve as a burger bowl.
Scaling
Cook patties in batches and griddle pineapple separately.
Weather Notes
Wind can slow the pineapple browning. Give the griddle time to recover.
Leftovers
Use leftover patties in bowls, wraps, or breakfast hash.
Kid Helper Tasks
Kids can add cheese, buns, and toppings away from the griddle.
Dragonfly Tip
Sauce at the end. Teriyaki burns faster than burgers cook.
Dragonfly Challenge
Try one burger with pineapple and one without. Vote on the upgrade.