There’s one foodie debate that never fails to split the nation: does pineapple belong on pizza?
Although pizza aficionados would likely say ‘absolutely not’, the sour tropical fruit has clearly found its place beyond the confines of fruit salads and onto savoury dishes.
There is one new favourite combination, however, that’s particularly surprising.
Britain’s love affair with burgers has taken an unexpected turn, with thousands confessing they enjoy pineapple with their patties in a recent study by Rustlers.
Among those branching out beyond the classic cheese, ketchup and lettuce toppings, 10% of the 2,000 people surveyed claim pineapple is now a must between their buns. Additionally, one in six (18%) respondents argue pineapple has more of a right to take pride of place on a burger than a tomato.
And cementing the UK’s newfound interest in this burger/pineapple remix, ‘does pineapple go on a burger?’ is now a suggested search term on Google.
A Reddit thread posted just under a year ago asked this same question in a page dedicated to cooking. AmountFun2036 asked: ‘I know it’s controversial on pizza and that debate has gone on forever. But what about pineapple on burgers? Could that work? If so, how?’
The people of Reddit didn’t disappoint with their answers, and several suggested recipes or further additions to make pineapples work in a burger.
‘I’ve had it on a turkey burger before with teriyaki sauce and carmelised onions,’ said MsNyleve. ‘Super good!’
Another commenter, ShockAndAwe415, shared: ‘Pineapple on burgers is, oddly enough, a popular Australian combination. I don’t know why, but it’s pretty standard there. No teriyaki sauce. Regular burger with pineapple. And an egg. And beetroot. All together.’
Explaining the phenomenon down under, MangoJester wrote: ‘It effectively replaces gherkins or pickles on a burger, giving it some sweet and sour.’
Not too far from Australia, pineapples on burgers are a ‘thing’ in southeast Asia too. In fact, McDonald’s in Malaysia launched limited edition ‘Hawaiian’ Beef and Chicken burgers which both feature a slice of the fruit.
When it comes to winning combinations, Lothcent suggested adding a ‘very finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese’ to make the meat and pineapple really pop as a pair, while other foodies suggested pairing it fried onions, bacon, and even ingredients like pickled beetroot or coriander-infused sour cream.
Many also echoed Tschudy’s opinion that the pineapple needs to be grilled or charred to work, including dj_spanmaster who said it ‘introduces a pleasant balance of bitterness and reduces its sour aspect, along with reducing its moisture.’
The study by Rustlers UK is part of their ‘Boost Your Burger’ campaign to shed light on the unique burger eating habits of Brits. The average Brit indulges in one juicy burger every 10 days and Londoners lead the pack, consuming a whopping 57 annually.
The chicken burger was the top choice among the respondents, with cheeseburgers and quarter pounders rounding out the top three. Some of the other unique toppings Brits are choosing for their buns include guacamole, hummus, pesto and beetroot.
Rebecca Simpkin, Senior Brand Manager at Rustlers UK, says: ‘We’ve always known that there’s been more than one way to boost a burger, but our study has revealed more division – and varieties of popular toppings – than we ever imagined. The good news is that there really is no right or wrong way to boost your burger.
‘Whether it’s with a simple tomato and lettuce, or kimchi and pineapple, just do it how you like.’
Even though pineapple on pizza will continue to divide, it seems pineapple on burgers is something people are increasingly willing to sink their teeth into.
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