Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Bakes entirely in the oven with no flipping makes cleanup a breeze
Combines tropical sweet and savory flavors for huge appeal
Uses fresh or canned pineapple so you have flexibility
Looks and tastes like summer any time of year
Even picky eaters go crazy for these burgers
My family asks for these burgers for every birthday dinner now and I can promise you the scent alone will make anyone’s mouth water as they roast.
Ingredients
Ezoic
Lean ground beef: Choose a 93 percent to 7 percent fat blend for juicy but not greasy burgers
Smoky style barbecue sauce: Sweet Baby Rays brand adds major flavor and moisture seek out a thick sauce for best results
Salt and black pepper: Balances the sweet and smoky flavors look for freshly ground pepper for maximum aroma
Smoked bacon: Classic smoked or center-cut bacon crisps just right thick slices do not cook through as well
Fresh pineapple: Rings should be about half an inch thick with the core cut out canned pineapple works but must be well dried
Bakery-style burger buns: Brioche adds decadence choose fresh soft buns for peak sandwich perfection
Tips For Selecting Quality Items
Use the freshest ground beef you can find for the most tender burgers
Buy ripe but firm pineapple for a bright flavor
Check bacon labels for natural smoke flavor without a lot of added sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat The Oven And Prepare Your Pan:
Set your oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil then place an oven-safe rack on top This allows the burgers to cook evenly and the bacon fat to drip away
Mix The Beef:
Combine ground beef two tablespoons of barbecue sauce salt and pepper in a large bowl Mix with your hands until just blended being gentle so the patties do not turn tough
Shape And Assemble:
Divide the meat into four equal patties about three and a half inches wide and half an inch thick On a tray or cutting board lay two bacon strips in an X shape Place a burger patty in the center then top with a pineapple slice Carefully fold the bacon up and around the burger and pineapple securing the ends together over the top with a toothpick to hold it all in place
Bake The Burgers:
Transfer the assembled bundles to your prepared pan Bake for fifteen minutes then remove from oven Brush the remaining barbecue sauce generously over the bacon for both flavor and shine
Finish Cooking:
Return burgers to the oven for ten to fifteen more minutes until deeply golden and the internal temperature reads one hundred sixty degrees for well-done Let burgers rest five minutes on the baking sheet so juices can redistribute and the flavors settle in
Toast The Buns And Serve:
Toast your burger buns in the last five minutes of cooking Arrange burgers on buns add lettuce or toppings you like remove toothpicks and dig in
A close up of a pineapple bacon burger.
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A close up of a pineapple bacon burger. | lilicooks.com
You Must Know
High protein and filling makes a meal in one
Sweet pineapple helps keep the beef juicy
Freezes well before baking for future easy dinners
I cannot get enough of the way the pineapple mellows and sweetens in the oven becoming almost jammy. Watching my niece take her first bite then instantly ask for seconds was one of those life wins for me.
Storage Tips
Keep leftovers tightly wrapped in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat bake in a low oven or air fryer until hot to re-crisp the bacon and keep the burger juicy. For make-ahead meals you can assemble and freeze unbaked burgers individually wrapped for up to two months. Just add a few extra minutes to baking from frozen.
Ingredient Substitutions
If fresh pineapple is out of season canned rings packed in one hundred percent juice work well just blot dry before using. Turkey bacon is a good swap if you prefer less fat but check during cooking so it does not over-crisp. You can also experiment with gluten-free buns or roll the filling in large lettuce leaves for a lighter version.
Serving Suggestions
These burgers love classic picnic sides like potato wedges tangy slaw or watermelon slices. For extra flair add a slice of sharp cheddar cheese before baking or spoon a little more barbecue sauce onto your bun. Even grilled red onions make a fantastic topping if you have time to spare.
A pineapple bacon burger with cheese.
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A pineapple bacon burger with cheese. | lilicooks.com
Cultural Context
Putting pineapple on savory dishes is a proud tradition in Hawaiian-inspired cooking where the balance of sweet and salt brings out both flavors. Bacon-wrapped dishes are classic comfort food across the US and bringing those together in a no-grill oven version makes this a truly all-American burger with a sunny twist.
