Easy Grilled Pineapple

If you ask me, grilled pineapple is one of summer’s simple pleasures.

This sweet and smoky side dish brings a taste of the tropics right to your backyard barbecue. Fresh pineapple gets nice char marks and caramelizes beautifully on a hot grill, making it even juicier and more flavorful than its fresh counterpart.

A quick brush of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon is all you need to make this fruit shine. The heat from the grill does the rest of the work, creating slightly crispy edges and a warm, tender center.

It’s an easy recipe that works perfectly alongside grilled meats or on its own as a light dessert, especially on those warm summer evenings.

What Kind of Pineapple Should I Use?

For grilled pineapple, you’ll want to start with a fresh, ripe pineapple rather than canned – the fresh variety holds up much better on the grill and gives you that perfect caramelized exterior. To check for ripeness, look for a pineapple that’s golden-yellow in color and gives off a sweet smell at the base. The leaves should be fresh and green, not brown or dried out. If you give the pineapple a gentle squeeze, it should be firm but have a slight give to it. When you’re prepping it, don’t toss the core – while it’s tougher than the rest of the fruit, it actually contains lots of good nutrients and can be used in smoothies or juices.

Options for Substitutions

This simple grilled pineapple recipe can be tweaked with several easy substitutions:

• Fresh pineapple: While fresh pineapple gives the best results, you can use canned pineapple rings in a pinch. Just make sure to drain them really well and pat them dry before grilling to prevent sticking.
• Butter: You can swap the butter with coconut oil for a nice tropical twist, or use a plant-based butter if you’re keeping things dairy-free. The amount stays the same.
• Honey: Out of honey? Try maple syrup, agave nectar, or even brown sugar as alternatives. If using brown sugar, just use about 1/8 teaspoon since it’s more concentrated.
• Hot sauce: The hot sauce adds a tiny kick, but you can skip it or try a pinch of cayenne pepper instead. Some folks like to use a dash of cinnamon or ground ginger for a different kind of warmth.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling

The biggest mistake when grilling pineapple is cutting the slices too thin, which can lead to them falling apart or burning quickly – stick to 1-inch thick rings to get that perfect caramelization while maintaining the fruit’s structure. When selecting your pineapple, avoid using underripe fruit as it will be too tough and acidic; instead, look for one that’s golden-yellow and gives slightly when pressed. A common error is leaving the pineapple on the grill for too long, which can result in a mushy texture – you’ll want to grill each side for just 2-3 minutes on medium-high heat until you see those beautiful grill marks. For extra flavor success, pat the pineapple rings dry before grilling to help the butter mixture stick better and create better caramelization.

What to Serve With Grilled Pineapple?

Grilled pineapple makes such a good side dish or dessert – it really depends on how you want to use it! For a dessert option, try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, or keep it simple with a dollop of whipped cream. If you’re using it as a side dish, it pairs really well with grilled meats like ham, chicken, or pork chops – the sweet and smoky flavors from the pineapple complement the savory meat perfectly. You can also add it to your summer cookout menu alongside burgers and hot dogs for a fresh twist on typical barbecue sides.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: If you happen to have leftover grilled pineapple (which rarely happens at my house!), place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 3-4 days, though the texture might soften a bit over time.

Make Ahead: You can prep the pineapple rings and the butter mixture up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep the sliced pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge, and store the butter mixture separately. When you’re ready to grill, just let the butter mixture come to room temperature and give it a quick stir.

Serve: Grilled pineapple tastes best when served right off the grill while it’s still warm. If you’re working with leftovers from the fridge, you can enjoy them cold, or give them a quick 10-second zap in the microwave to take the chill off.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	5-6 minutes
Total Time	45-60 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 350-400
• Protein: 2-4 g
• Fat: 18-22 g
• Carbohydrates: 45-50 g

Ingredients

• 1/4 tsp honey
• 3 tbsp melted butter (I like Kerrygold unsalted butter for this)
• 1 dash hot sauce
• salt, to taste
• 1 pineapple (peeled, cored, and sliced into 1-inch rings for even grilling)

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients.

Take a large resealable plastic bag and place the pineapple rings inside.

Add the butter, honey, hot pepper sauce, and a pinch of salt directly into the bag with the pineapple.

Seal the bag securely and shake it well to ensure that all the pineapple rings are evenly coated with the marinade.

Step 2: Marinate the Pineapple

Allow the pineapple rings to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

For the best flavor, marinate them overnight in the refrigerator, which will give deeper flavor and enhanced spice absorption.

Step 3: Preheat the Grill

Preheat your outdoor grill to high heat.

While waiting for the grill to heat, lightly oil the grate to prevent sticking.

This will also help in achieving beautiful grill marks.

Step 4: Grill the Pineapple

Once the grill is hot, remove the pineapple rings from the marinade and place them on the grill.

Cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through and grill marks appear.

Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the pineapple rings from the grill and place them on a serving platter.

These grilled pineapple rings make a delicious addition to any barbecue spread, offering a sweet and spicy kick and a beautiful presentation.