Grilled Pork and Pineapple Burgers

Name: Grilled Pork and Pineapple Burgers with Japanese BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 fresh pineapple; 1/4 cup Japanese barbecue sauce, plus more for drizzling; 1 red onion; 1 lb ground pork; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; garlic powder, to taste; 1 handful wood chips; 2 burger buns; 2 tbsp sriracha mayo

These grilled pork burgers combine juicy ground pork patties with caramelized pineapple and sautéed red onions, finished with Japanese barbecue sauce and sriracha mayo for a sweet-savory summer meal.

🌍American 🏷️Pork burger 🏷️Grilled burger 🏷️Pineapple burger 🏷️Summer grilling Japanese bbq

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🏷️Pork

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TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 fresh pineapple
1/4 cup Japanese barbecue sauce, plus more for drizzling
1 red onion
1 lb ground pork
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
1 handful wood chipsoptional
2 burger buns
2 tbsp sriracha mayo

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Instructions

1
Set up and light a charcoal grill.
2
Cut the pineapple into 1-inch thick slices and remove the core.
3
Drizzle the pineapple slices with Japanese barbecue sauce and rub to coat.
4
Slice the red onion into rings.
5
Form the ground pork into two equal-sized patties.
6
Season the pork patties on both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
7
For extra smoked flavor, add wood chips to the hot coals.
8
Place a cast iron skillet on the grill. Add the sliced onions and a drizzle of Japanese barbecue sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes over direct heat until softened.
9
Grill the pork patties over direct heat until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
10
Grill the pineapple slices until caramelized on both sides.
11
Toast the burger buns on the grill.
12
Assemble the burgers: on the bottom bun, place a pork patty, a grilled pineapple slice, the cooked red onions, a drizzle of Japanese barbecue sauce, and sriracha mayo. Top with the other half of the bun.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Caramelize pineapple slices on the grill at medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side until they develop deep golden-brown edges—this brings out natural sugars and prevents a burnt taste.
Don't overwork the pork when forming patties; handle the meat minimally to avoid dense, tough burgers. Make a slight indent in the center with your thumb to prevent the burger from puffing up while cooking.
Let pork patties rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before grilling to ensure even, predictable cooking; cold meat can cook unevenly on the outside before the center reaches 160°F.
Apply Japanese barbecue sauce during the last 1–2 minutes of grilling and avoid earlier application, as sugar-based sauces char quickly and can create bitter flavors.

Substitutions

Japanese barbecue sauce → Korean gochujang-based sauce or even teriyaki (sweeter result, less umami depth)
Fresh pineapple → canned pineapple rings, drained (faster prep; slightly less caramelization)
Ground pork → ground chicken (leaner, milder flavor; reduce cooking time by 1–2 minutes)
Sriracha mayo → regular mayo mixed with a pinch of cayenne pepper and lime juice (milder heat)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on a grill or skillet to avoid drying out. Caramelized pineapple and onions can be stored separately for 2–3 days and reheated before assembling.

Equipment

grill · meat thermometer · wood chips

Common Questions

What temperature should pork burgers reach when cooked?

Ground pork burgers should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for food safety. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the patty.

Can I make the pineapple topping ahead of time?

Yes, you can caramelize the pineapple and sauté the red onions 1–2 hours ahead, then reheat gently before serving.

What type of wood chips work best for this recipe?

Mild fruity woods like apple or cherry complement the pineapple well. Avoid heavy woods like hickory that can overpower the sweet toppings.

Can I substitute beef for the ground pork?

Yes, use 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend works well), but the flavor profile will be more traditional burger and less sweet. Cooking time remains similar.