Hot Hawaiian Burgers (Spam, Pineapple, Swiss, and Sriracha Mayo) Recipe

Updated August 30, 2018

It's time to board a small charter flight to Polynesia, the land of Spam and pineapples. Why Spam and pineapple? Because it's a delicious combo that hits the rich/fresh/sweet flavors and the crisp/moist textures. Who wouldn't want that on a burger? Add a couple of slices of Swiss cheese along with a nice spoonful of sriracha-mayonnaise and the burger explodes with spice and goo—which is why a toasted English muffin and all its juice-catching nooks is such a great choice here (though regular burger buns would be mighty tasty too).

The Burger Lab: The Principles of Topping Burgers

Recipe Details

Hot Hawaiian Burgers (Spam, Pineapple, Swiss, and Sriracha Mayo) Recipe

Active 30 mins

Total 45 mins

Serves 4 servings

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Ingredients

24 ounces freshly ground beef chuck
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sriracha-style hot sauce
4 slices Spam
4 slices fresh pineapple, about the same size as a Spam slice
8 slices Swiss cheese
4 English muffins, split

Directions

Divide meat into four even piles and shape into burger patties about 1/2-inch wider than English muffins. Season generously with salt and pepper and set aside.
Combine mayo and sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside.
Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set half the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate.
Place burgers directly over hot side of grill and cook, turning occasionally, until well charred and internal temperature registers 125 to 130°F on an instant read thermometer for medium-rare, about 5 minutes total, or 135°F to 140°F for medium, about 6 minutes total. Top each burger patty with 1 slice cheese, then transfer to a large plate and tent with aluminum foil.
Place spam and pineapple slices on hot side of grill and cook, turning occasionally, until heated through and well charred. Place 1 slice cheese on top of each Spam patty. Transfer Spam and pineapple to cool side of grill.
Toast English muffins on grill. Place bottom buns on a cutting board. Top with a slice of pineapple. Add burger patty. Top with SPAM. Top with sriracha mayo, then close burger. Serve immediately.

Special equipment

grill

This Recipe Appears In

The Burger Lab: The Principles of Topping Burgers

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
898	Calories
58g	Fat
32g	Carbs
58g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	898
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 58g	75%
Saturated Fat 23g	116%
Cholesterol 191mg	64%
Sodium 1386mg	60%
Total Carbohydrate 32g	12%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 58g
Vitamin C 11mg	56%
Calcium 638mg	49%
Iron 4mg	25%
Potassium 755mg	16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.