Channel tropical vibes with this delicious, juicy, and flavorful gluten-free Hawaiian-inspired burger made with savory lean beef, sweet fresh pineapple, and a toasted gluten-free bun. This post is sponsored by Laura’s Lean and contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.
Fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy a fun and festive 4th of July with family and friends.
If you’re looking for a tasty hamburger recipe, I’ve got you covered with this Hawaiian-inspired burger that tastes delicious and channels those breezy island vibes.
I love a good burger, so when Laura’s Lean invited me to create a hamburger recipe with fresh, quality ingredients, I jumped at the opportunity.
Preparing the Meat
This burger recipe is simple to make and requires only a few easy-to-find ingredients.
To prepare the burger, combine the following ingredients in a bowl:
Laura’s Lean 92% Lean/8% Fat Ground Beef: I used 1 lb of Laura’s Lean 92% Lean/8% Fat Ground Beef for my burgers. Did you know Laura’s Lean is the #1 selling natural beef brand, and it’s been in business for 35 years? Wow!
Alternatively, you could use Laura’s Lean 85% lean/15% fat ground beef for a juicier burger. If using beef with a higher fat ratio, reduce the avocado oil by half.
Avocado Oil: I added two tablespoons of avocado oil to add moisture and fat to the lean ground beef.
Fresh Garlic: I also added four cloves of fresh minced garlic to the ground beef to enhance the overall flavor.
Salt and Pepper: I added a pinch of salt and a few cracks of fresh ground pepper to the raw beef. These simple spices add important flavor.
I divided the beef into four sections, rolled each section into a ball, and set them aside for grilling.
Fire Up the Grill
While you can grill your burgers directly on the grill, I recommend cooking it on a flat top surface since it’s made with lean beef. Doing so will ensure the burgers retain their moisture content when cooked.
You can cook the burgers on your stovetop with an indoor pan or on a flat-top griddle plate placed atop your grill. I used my cast iron flat-top griddle plate and cooked everything over my grill.
I started by sautéeing the onions. Then I grilled the pineapple slices until they were lightly browned on each side.
I placed each rounded mound of pre-seasoned beef on the griddle and smashed it flat with my burger press so more surface area could get browned.
In contrast, when you cook a burger on the grill itself, you don’t want to smash it because you’ll squeeze all the juice out! When you smash it on a flat surface, it retains its juices.
Burger Toppings
No burger is complete without delicious toppings. For my Hawaiian-inspired burger, I added the following ingredients:
Onion: I sautéed the onions ahead of time. Sautéed onions taste great on top of a juicy burger.
Pineapple: I sliced a fresh and juicy pineapple to layer on my lean Hawaiian-inspired burgers. I grilled the pineapple so it would be extra flavorful and juicy.
Teriyaki Sauce: I found store-bought gluten-free teriyaki sauce to add to the top of the burgers. I found a little sauce goes a long way in enhancing the burger’s flavor and adding moisture.
Avocado: Avocado slices add color and texture to the burger. I rarely eat a burger without avocado these days.
Buns: Thanks to Canyon Bakehouse, I could enjoy a squishy gluten-free bun with my delicious burger. I buttered the top and bottom of the bun and toasted it on the grill so it was soft and toasty.
FAQs and Substitutions
What kind of beef do you recommend? I recommend Laura’s Lean 85% lean / 15% fat ground beef for grilling over the grill (directly on top of the grates) and Laura’s Lean 92% lean / 8% fat ground beef when using a griddle (flat-top surface). Cut the amount of avocado oil by half when using 85% lean / 15% fat ground beef.
Where can I find Laura’s Lean beef? You can find Laura’s Lean in 12,000 grocery stores nationwide. Check the company’s store locator to find a store near you and learn more about why Laura’s Lean is a brand you can feel good about supporting.
Can I use canned pineapple? I used fresh pineapple because it’s sweet and juicy this time of year. However, I’ve grilled canned pineapple slices, and they taste just as good.
Where did you find gluten-free burger buns? I found the Canyon Bakehouse burger buns at the grocery store (shelf-stable, bread aisle), but you could also find them online. Be sure to toast the buns because they’re a bit dry right out of the bag. A little heat will make them squishy and bring them back to life.
That’s One Fine Burger
This juicy and flavorful burger tastes incredible. And I love knowing it contains only fresh, natural, and better-for-you ingredients.
Serve it alongside pickles, potato chips, or this delicious gluten-free pasta salad, which is my go-to potluck side.
Gluten-Free Hawaiian-Inspired Burgers
Equipment
- 1 grill fitted with a flat top grill-safe pan or use an indoor flat surface pan
- 1 burger press or heavy metal spatula
Ingredients
Burger Patties
- 1 lb Laura's Lean 92% lean/8% fat ground beef
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pinch salt
- fresh cracked pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 tsp avocado oil
- 1 yellow onion diced or sliced
- 4 slices of pineapple fresh or canned
- 4 tsp gluten-free teriyaki sauce
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 tbsp butter dairy-free
- 4 gluten-free burger buns
Instructions
- Combine the ground beef, avocado oil, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well by hand (use gloves if possible) until well combined. Divide the meat into four equal portions and roll each portion into a ball. Set aside.
- Using a griddle pan on top of your grill grates, or a flat-top indoor pan on your stovetop, heat 1 tsp of oil. Add the onions and sautée until they're softened and lightly brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add the pineapple slices to the cook surface and lightly brown on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Set aside.
- Add each rounded burger to the flat surface and use a burger smasher or sturdy spatula to smash the burger flat. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Lightly butter the buns and place them on the flattop surface to lightly toast, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the burgers by adding a slice of pineapple to the bun, then top with the beef patty, diced onions, teriyaki drizzle, avocado slices, and the top of the bun. Enjoy immediately.
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