Best Grilled Pineapple
Here’s a recipe for grilled pineapple that’s perfect for grilling season. You can make it with a brown sugar glaze similar to Brazilian pineapple or you can grill it without sugar and consider finishing it with an irresistible honey lime glaze. Which will you try first?
Also Read: Grilled Pineapple Power Bowl, How to Select and Cut Fresh Pineapple, Grilled Chicken and Fruit Salad, Grilled Pork Chops
What Happens When You Grill Pineapple?
Grilling boosts flavour. The heat of grilling evaporates water from the pineapple, which means more flavour.
It also caramelizes the sugars so you experience more sweet pineapple flavour. Depending on how much charring you like, you may also get a little charbroiled or smoky flavour.
The brown sugar and cinnamon glaze is optional, but it adds another level of sweet flavour. It also causes a little more browning and glistening juices on the pineapple.
Can I Grill Pineapple Without Sugar?
You bet! Pineapple is naturally sweet and will grill beautifully without any toppings. Just coat the grill with a little oil and place wedges on the grill. The natural sugars will leave a few beautiful grill marks.
A Fancy Touch Just because you grilled your pineapple without sugar, doesn’t mean you can’t add a little fancy touch after grilling. Try the honey lime drizzle (see recipe) with or without red pepper flakes. Sweet, tart and spicy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilled Pineapple
How do you cut a pineapple for grilling?
I like cutting pineapple into wedges for grilling, but you can use rings too. The rings will grill faster and may get a little softer – keep an eye on them and so you get them just right for you.
Video: How to cut a pineapple
Can I use canned pineapple rings?
Yes, you can, just be aware that canned pineapple rings may be more likely to break apart, so handle with care. I also recommend draining and patting dry before placing on grill. Enjoy.
Can I grill pineapple on the stove or in the oven?
Yes, you can do both.
On the stove, use a hot, buttered fry pan or a grill pan (so you get grill marks). Sear each side for 3-4 minutes.
In the oven, you won’t get the same grill marks or charring, but you will get a delicious dessert! Preheat oven to 400°F/204°C. Place pineapple on parchment lined baking sheet, coat both sides with sugar coating and bake for 10-15 minutes.
How long do you grill pineapple for?
It doesn’t take long, about 10 minutes total. Aim for about 3-4 minutes per side (including the fat wedge side, so 3 sides). The longer you grill it, the softer the pineapple gets and of course, the more charring you’ll get (especially at high heat). Keep an eye on it and grill it so you get the desired texture and charring you want.
Personally, I like mine a little firm with definite grill marks, but not a lot of charring. I get that with about 3 minutes per side.
How do you prevent the sugar glaze from sticking/burning?
Brush your grill with a little oil before adding pineapple and remember that sugar will burn quickly. So keep an eye on your pineapple to prevent over-charring.
Pineapple is sweet enough and it doesn’t actually NEED sugar to make it sweet. Try it and see!
How to Serve Grilled Pineapple
- Enjoy as is for dessert. Serve on a plate with dessert forks.
- Dice and serve with ice cream.
- Dice and serve with yogurt and granola for breakfast.
- Use as a topping for pancakes, waffles or French Toast.
Other Ways to Enjoy Pineapple on the BBQ
- Pineapple Skewers – cut into spears or cubes and thread pineapple on skewers
- Smoked Pineapple – I’m actually not big into smoking food – but if you are – try smoking your pineapple halves for 30 minutes per side
- Pineapple Shishkabobs – cut pineapple into skewers and thread on skewers alternating with other vegetables (sweet peppers, onions, mushrooms, grape tomatoes) and meats (beef, pork, chicken, shrimp)
- Pineapple Garnish – use pineapple rings to garnish or add to your main dishes – try a grilled pineapple ring on top of a burger, vegetarian sandwich or on top of grilled meat Pineapple Juice Marinade – thanks to the enzyme bromelain in fresh pineapple, the juice makes an excellent meat tenderizer, so add some to your marinades. The more you use, the shorter your marinade time should be.
How to Store Leftover Grilled Pineapple
Cool grilled pineapple, place in airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
How to Use Leftover Grilled Pineapple
- morning oatmeal or cereal
- pancakes, crepes, waffles or French toast
- fresh fruit salad
- yogurt or ice cream
- chia pudding
- lunchtime salad (fresh lettuce greens, pineapple, toasted almonds, grilled chicken)
- stir fries
- salad or rice bowls
- fresh salsa
- pizza
Does Grilled Pineapple Make Your Mouth Tingle?
The tingling sensation some people get from raw pineapple is from a unique enzyme called bromelain. It is a digestive enzyme unique to pineapple that breaks down protein. Some people are more sensitive to this enzyme than others and they can feel bromelain interacting with the lining in our mouth. In essence, the bromelain is trying to tenderize our mouth! It causes some tingling, but not much else. You’d have to eat an obscene amount of pineapple to have any serious impact. The cells in our mouth regenerate so quickly that the tingling sensation is short lived.
By the way, the tingling only happens with raw pineapple. If you make this recipe for grilled pineapple, you won’t experience tingling as long as you grill the pineapple thoroughly. Once it is cooked or grilled, the bromelain is deactivated.
Recipe for Grilled Pineapple
Grilled Pineapple – with or without sugar
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Honey Lime Glaze (optional)
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest grated
- 1/2 tsp hot pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Lightly oil grate and preheat BBQ to medium-high heat (400F/204C).
- Peel and cut pineapple into approximately 12 long wedges (I quarter peeled pineapple vertically and cut each quarter into 3 equal pieces). See video.
Brown Sugar Version
- Stir together brown sugar and cinnamon in shallow dish. Add pineapple wedges and turn them to coat with sugar mixture. If you have time, let rest on counter for a few minutes to let the sugar dissolve.
- Use tongs to transfer pineapple wedges to hot BBQ. Let sear on one side for 2 to 3 minutes, rotate and sear other side. If wedges are thick, you can sear the other sides too. It will take about 10 minutes total. Watch carefully to prevent sugar from charring too much.
Sugar Free Version
- Simply place cut pineapple on hot grill and sear for 3 minutes per side. To get diagonal grill marks, rotate 45 degrees and grill longer. No flare-ups here!
Honey Lime Glaze (optional)
- In small bowl, combine honey, lime juice and lime zest. If needed, heat honey to runny consistency first.
- Drizzle over sugar-free grilled pineapple and if desired, sprinkle on hot pepper flakes for extra zing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
More tips and recipes
If you’re interested in more ways to use fresh pineapple or other delicious ideas for the grill, here are some others on this site.
- How to Select and Cut Fresh Pineapple
- Grilled Chicken and Fruit Salad
- Grilled Pork Chops
- Grilled Pineapple Power Bowl
Will you try making this recipe for grilled pineapple? Will you choose the brown sugar version or the sugar-free version? Both are delicious! Let me know in the comments below or take a photo and tag #getgettys so I can see it and like it!
Select, store and serve seasonal food for everyday cooking with Getty. Getty is a food educator and Professional Home Economist, who loves sharing tips and recipes following the seasons from her Canadian kitchen. Sign up to get seasonal tips and recipes delivered to your inbox. Learn more about Getty or check out her books and pdf guides.
My kid loves pineapple! Recently I found this savory pineapple casserole recipe that I am eager to try with our Easter ham. I’ve also made pineapple vinegar using the peels but finding organic pineapple is impossible where I live. Thanks for the tips and suggestions!
How did the pineapple casserole turn out?