Barbecue Bacon Burgers with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Hamburgers are one of my favorite foods.  I have no idea why, but I find myself craving a burger probably once a week.  So gosh was I nervous to cook a hamburger at home.  I was worried about the burgers not living up to expectations, as well as just completely failing at cooking them.  Luckily the first few rounds have turned out pretty well, and I'm hoping to continue making burgers all summer!

Playing with flavor combinations is one of my favorite parts of cooking at home.  Being able to put a little of this and a little of that, and making food to completely satisfy everything we want is my idea of perfect.  I wanted to make a grilled pineapple salsa; a little sweet, a little spicy, slightly warm, and a little smokey.   Grilling the pineapple brings out the sweetness and chars the edges just a little--adding a super awesome layer of flavor to the pineapple.  The onions, cilantro, and jalapeno round out the grilled pineapple to make a delicious salsa.

Adding barbecue sauce, cheese, and bacon to the burger just throws it over the top.  The burger is salty, cheesy, sweet, savory and spicy.  It is literally everything I want in a burger, shoved between two buns, and then devoured for dinner.  Try these barbecue bacon burgers topped with grilled pineapple salsa for dinner soon!  The pineapple salsa will be a great addition to a Memorial Day barbecue; put it on burgers, hot dogs, or eat it with chips!

Barbecue Bacon Burgers with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

author: Happy Food Happy Home

serves 4

4 burger patties (beef, turkey, veggie, it's up to you!)

seasoned salt

salt and pepper

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

4 slices monterey jack cheese

4-8 slices bacon

Salsa

1/2 a pineapple (you'll need 1 cup cubed pineapple pieces)

1/2 cup onion, diced

3-4 tablespoons jalapeno (more or less to taste)

1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat your grill to high heat.  Slice half of the pineapple into large slices.  Grill over medium heat for 3-5 minutes per side until grill marks are made and edges of the pineapple are slightly charred. Remove from grill and let cool. 
2. Dice onion and jalapeno.  
3. Cut the charred pineapple into bite size cubes.
4. Stir together the pineapple, onions, jalapeno, and cilantro.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 
5. Season burger patties with seasoned salt, pepper, and kosher salt.
6. Grill burgers over medium heat until cooked through.  Brush barbecue sauce on burgers.
7. Turn off grill and add cheese to patties.  Let sit in the closed grill until the cheese has melted.
8. Place the burgers on buns and top with bacon and pineapple salsa.  Slam the top on the bun and eat that burger!

• Notes:  You can use any burger patty you'd like. 
• Feel free to add or subtract any topping you see fit.  No bacon, more cheese, etc. 

The pineapple salsa on top of the barbecue burger provides a sweet and spicy contrast to the salty savory burger.  I also can't wait to try the salsa on top of chicken, and in fish tacos!  I have food ideas pouring out of my head right now, and I am definitely not complaining!

What is your favorite thing to grill?  Are you ready to throw some fruit on your burger, or does it make you a little nervous? Let me know!