The Big Kahuna Burger is one of the countless themes running throughout numerous Tarantino films, used as a device to reflect the power-dynamic between two parties or to bring people together to move the story forward. 
 
This double-stacked caramelized-pineapple-and-onion Hawaiian smash-burger is fictional, but very close to the then-famous burger served at Jack Rabbit Slim’s in LA, sadly now out of business.

Big Kahuna Burger - Pulp Fiction (1994)

INGREDIENTS:    ​

• 1 red onion, sliced into rings
• 2 tbsp butter, divided
• 3 thin pineapple slices
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 120g/4 oz ground/minced beef, divided into two balls
• 2 slices Monterey Jack cheese
• Large hamburger bun buttered and toasted
• ½ tbsp ketchup
• ½ tbsp teriyaki sauce

​METHOD:

1. In a sauté pan, heat 1 tbsp butter until foaming, and add red onion. Cook slowly, over low heat, tossing constantly, until soft and caramelized. Set aside.
2. Wipe out sauté pan, and heat remaining tablespoon of butter until sizzling. Add pineapple slices, and sauté until lightly charred on both sides. Set aside.
3. In a large cast iron skillet, heat vegetable oil over high heat, until smoking. Place beef balls several inches apart in skillet, and smash down using a large, flat spatula (or use a rolling pin or the handle of a wooden spoon if you don’t have a large spatula) to really smash the burgers down.
4. Cook for approx. 60 seconds, until the bottom is charred and crispy. Flip, and immediately top with cheese. Remove from heat, but leave burgers in the pan while you assemble, to make the cheese melt completely.
5. Dress bun with ketchup and teriyaki sauce, top with burgers, caramelised onions, and pineapple.

Serve with fries.