Burger with Grilled Pineapple, BBQ Kraut, and BBQ Mayonnaise
Recipe and photography by Abby Mosler, @SweetRindandSalt.
Fire up the grill for these BBQ burgers with grilled pineapple and Frank's Sweet and Smoky BBQ Kraut. Juicy beef patties, melted cheddar, grilled pineapple, crisp lettuce, red onion, and creamy BBQ mayonnaise create the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors. This easy grilled burger recipe is ideal for summer cookouts, backyard BBQs, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. If you're searching for the best BBQ burger with sauerkraut or a unique pineapple burger recipe, this crowd-pleasing meal is sure to become a grilling favorite.
Ingredients
For the BBQ Mayonnaise:
½ cup mayonnaise
3 tbsp. BBQ sauce
½ tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. smoked paprika (sweet paprika would also work)
A few dashes of hot sauce (optional)
For the Burgers:
2 lbs. ground beef (80/20 works best)
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. garlic powder
6 burger buns
6 slices cheese (I used thick cut cheddar)
6 slices red onion
6 lettuce leaves
6 pineapple rings, cut ¼” – ½” thick and cored
1 ½ cups Frank’s Sweet and Smoky BBQ Kraut, drained well
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 350 degrees F.
- Make the BBQ mayonnaise. Add the mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, and hot sauce (if using) to a small mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Next, add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to a large mixing bowl. Using your hands, gently mix just until everything is combined (be careful not to over mix as this can make the burger patties tough). Divide the ground beef mixture into 6 equal portions (about 1/3 pound each). Form each portion of ground beef into a burger patty that is about ¾ of an inch thick. When each patty is formed, place a “dimple” in the middle using your thumb. This helps prevent the burger from shrinking up too much during cooking.
- When the grill is hot, lightly brush with oil. Add the burger patties and pineapple slices to the grill and close the lid. Cook for about 5 minutes. Using a spatula, flip the pineapple and gently start to lift the burgers off the grill. If they come off easily, flip the patties. If they stick, cook for another 30 to 60 seconds or so. Once everything is flipped over, close the lid and cook for another 4 minutes. After about 4 minutes, add a cheese slice to each burger, close the lid again, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Transfer the burger patties and pineapple slices to a platter.
- Now you can build your burgers. Spread BBQ mayonnaise on both halves of the burger buns. Add a lettuce leaf to the bottom half of the buns, followed by a slice of red onion and a slice of pineapple. Next, add your burger patty and about ¼ cup of Frank’s BBQ Kraut. Add the top half of the bun and serve immediately.
