Teriyaki Burger: Best Cheese Pairings For An Umami Burst

Teriyaki burgers are a delicious combination of sweet and savoury flavours. The pineapple, teriyaki sauce, and ground beef create a juicy and mouth-watering burger. But what type of cheese should you use to take this burger to the next level? Some popular choices include Swiss cheese, which adds a creamy texture, or Colby Jack cheese, which has a slightly sharper flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try Havarti or provolone cheese for a creamy and unique taste. For those who want a spicy kick, pepper jack cheese is a perfect choice. So, the next time you're craving a teriyaki burger, don't forget to consider the cheese options to elevate your dining experience!

Swiss cheese and pineapple

The combination of Swiss cheese and pineapple on teriyaki burgers creates a delicious interplay of sweet and savoury flavours. Here's a guide on how to make the most of these ingredients in your teriyaki burgers.

Choosing the Right Swiss Cheese

When it comes to Swiss cheese, aim for a variety that is known for its creaminess, such as Emmentaler or Gruyère. These cheeses have a mild, slightly nutty flavour that complements the other ingredients in the burger without overwhelming them.

Preparing the Pineapple

To add a touch of sweetness to your burger, fresh pineapple is the way to go. Cut the pineapple into slices, and consider grilling them to bring out their natural sugars and add a touch of caramelisation. You can also use the pineapple juice in your teriyaki sauce or as a basting liquid for your burger patties.

Assembling the Burger

Start by toasting your brioche buns and spreading your favourite condiments, such as mayonnaise or a special sauce. Then, layer on the garden-fresh veggies, such as lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions. Place the Swiss cheese-topped burger patty on the veggies, followed by the grilled pineapple slice. Finish with the top bun, and secure the burger with a toothpick, if needed.

Serving Suggestions

These Swiss cheese and pineapple teriyaki burgers go well with a variety of sides. You can serve them with a fruit salad, an Asian cucumber salad, roasted sweet potatoes, or even sweet potato fries. They're also great alongside grilled corn salad, watermelon slices, and blackberry crisp for a touch of sweetness to complement the savoury burger.

Customisation Ideas

While Swiss cheese and pineapple are the stars of this burger, you can customise it further to suit your taste preferences. Consider adding some crisp bacon, or experiment with different types of cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, Havarti, or Provolone. Spicy elements like Sriracha mayonnaise or jalapeno peppers can also take your burger to the next level.

So, fire up that grill and get ready to enjoy a delicious Swiss cheese and pineapple teriyaki burger, a perfect blend of sweet and savoury flavours.

Provolone cheese and red onion

Provolone is a popular choice of cheese for teriyaki burgers, and red onion is a common addition to the dish.

Provolone is a mild, semi-hard Italian cheese with a yellowish rind and a creamy texture. It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavour, which pairs well with the savoury, umami taste of teriyaki sauce. The cheese melts easily and oozes over the patty, adding a creamy texture to the burger.

Red onions, sliced into thin rounds, can be grilled or cooked in a skillet along with the pineapple, or separately on a grill pan. They add a slight crunch to the burger, as well as a tangy, sweet flavour that complements the teriyaki sauce.

A Hawaiian teriyaki burger with grilled pineapple, red onion, and provolone cheese is a popular combination. This burger can be made with ground beef patties, seasoned with salt and pepper, and shaped into four large or five medium-sized portions. The patties are grilled to the desired doneness, and a slice of provolone is added in the final minute of cooking, allowing the cheese to melt over the patty. The pineapple slices and red onion are grilled or cooked in a skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are charred. The buns are lightly toasted, and the burger is assembled with the addition of butter lettuce, mayonnaise, and a drizzle of extra teriyaki sauce.

This combination of provolone cheese and red onion on a teriyaki burger adds a unique blend of flavours and textures, enhancing the overall taste and eating experience.

Colby Jack cheese and pineapple

Colby Jack cheese is a great choice for a teriyaki burger with pineapple, adding a mild, slightly sweet and nutty flavour. It is a good melting cheese, which is important for a juicy burger.

Colby Jack cheese is a combination of Colby and Monterey Jack cheese. It is an American original, created in California in the 1890s. It is a washed-curd cheese, which means that the curds are washed in water to remove some of the acidity, resulting in a milder flavour. The cheese is then aged for a short time, giving it a semi-soft texture that is ideal for melting.

When making a teriyaki burger with pineapple and Colby Jack cheese, it is best to add the cheese towards the end of the cooking process, allowing it to melt over the patty. This will ensure the cheese is melted and oozy, but not burnt.

The pineapple can be grilled alongside the burger, or added to the burger raw, allowing it to warm through as the cheese melts. The sweetness of the pineapple will be a great contrast to the savoury teriyaki sauce and the nutty cheese.

For an extra indulgent touch, you could add a slice of crispy bacon, as suggested by Oh Sweet Basil.

Havarti cheese and grilled pineapple

The sweet and tangy flavours of a teriyaki burger are enhanced by the addition of grilled pineapple and Havarti cheese. This combination is a popular choice for Hawaiian-style burgers, and for good reason. Here's how to make the most of these ingredients.

Choosing the Right Cheese

Havarti is a semi-soft cheese with a buttery texture and a mild, slightly nutty flavour. It's an excellent melting cheese, which makes it perfect for topping burgers. When melted, Havarti becomes creamy and smooth, adding a rich, savoury element to the sweetness of the pineapple and teriyaki sauce. Its mild flavour also means it won't overpower the other ingredients in the burger.

Grilling the Pineapple

Grilled pineapple is a must for a Hawaiian-style teriyaki burger. The grilling process caramelises the natural sugars in the pineapple, intensifying its sweetness and creating a slight char that adds a smoky flavour. To grill the pineapple, brush the slices with a little vegetable oil to prevent sticking, then place them on a preheated grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the pineapple slices for 2-5 minutes on each side, or until they are softened with visible grill marks.

Building the Burger

When it comes to assembling your teriyaki burger, the order in which you stack the ingredients can make a difference. Start with the bottom bun, and consider toasting it first for added flavour and texture. Next, add some lettuce—butter lettuce works well with this combination. Then, place the burger patty, followed by the grilled pineapple and any other toppings you prefer. Finally, drizzle with teriyaki sauce and add the top bun.

Customisation Options

While Havarti is an excellent choice, you can also experiment with other cheeses. Swiss cheese, for example, pairs well with the sweetness of the pineapple, adding a savoury element. You can also add extra toppings like red onion, tomato, or avocado to create a more complex flavour profile.

Final Thoughts

The combination of Havarti cheese and grilled pineapple on a teriyaki burger creates a delicious blend of sweet, savoury, and smoky flavours. By choosing the right ingredients and assembling them thoughtfully, you can elevate this burger to something truly special.

Mayo, lettuce, tomato, and red onion

When assembling a teriyaki burger with these toppings, it's best to put the mayo on the bottom bun, followed by the lettuce, then the patty, and then the tomato, onion, and finally the top bun. This order ensures a good balance of textures and flavours in each bite.

You can also add other toppings to complement these flavours, such as grilled pineapple, which is a popular choice for teriyaki burgers. Swiss cheese is another popular addition, providing a creamy texture and savoury flavour that goes well with the other ingredients.

Frequently asked questions