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🥘Recipes by Nani
Dinner

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Bacon Hawaiian Turkey Burgers

These juicy turkey burgers are packed with smoky bacon, sweet grilled pineapple, and a nice kick of heat from pepper jack cheese.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· August 19, 2026
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Bacon Hawaiian Turkey Burgers
recipesbynani.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
30 minutes
Serves
4

There is something so special about the combination of sweet pineapple and savory BBQ sauce. These turkey burgers have been a favorite in my kitchen for years because they feel like a summer vacation on a bun. They are a wonderful way to switch up your usual burger night.

My best tip is to grill your pineapple slices for just a minute or two before putting them on the burgers. This caramelizes the sugars and makes the flavor pop even more. If you cannot get to an outdoor grill, a cast iron skillet works perfectly for getting that nice char.

🧺 Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 4 strips of bacon, cooked until crispy
  • 4 pineapple slices
  • 4 slices pepper jack cheese
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

👩‍🍳Instructions

  1. 1

    In a medium bowl, gently mix the ground turkey with the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

  2. 2

    Shape the mixture into four equal patties and press a small indentation in the center of each to keep them flat while cooking.

  3. 3

    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat.

  4. 4

    Cook the turkey patties for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until they are fully cooked through.

  5. 5

    During the last few minutes of cooking, brush the BBQ sauce generously over each patty and place a slice of pepper jack cheese on top so it melts nicely.

  6. 6

    In the same pan, quickly sear the pineapple slices for about 1 minute on each side until they are warm and slightly browned.

  7. 7

    Assemble your burgers by placing a patty on each bun, topping with a slice of crispy bacon and a warm pineapple ring, and adding extra BBQ sauce if you like.

💡 Tips

These burgers are best served hot right off the grill or stove. You can store any leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days, but keep the pineapple and bacon separate until you are ready to reheat and serve.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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