This grilled pineapple recipe has been my go-to summer dessert for years. What started as a simple side dish for barbecues turned into something Emma and I crave all year round. From teaching families how to grill fruit at summer cooking classes, I've learned that most people think grilling pineapple is hard, but it's really one of the easiest things you can throw on the grill. The natural sugars caramelize into something that tastes like candy but way better.
Why You'll Love This Grilled Pineapple
Grilling pineapple rcipe might sound fancy, but it's really easier than making toast. If you can flip a burger, you can make this. The heat changes regular pineapple into something completely different - the outside gets these great caramelized edges while the inside stays juicy and sweet. Emma calls it "dessert that doesn't feel like cheating" because it's still just fruit, but it tastes like a treat.
The best part? It takes about 10 minutes total and works with any meal. We've served it alongside grilled chicken, mixed it into salads, and eaten it straight off the grill with vanilla ice cream. It's one of those recipes that makes you look like you know what you're doing in the kitchen, but really you're just letting the grill do all the work while you sit back and wait for the good stuff to happen.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Grilled Pineapple
- Ingredients for Grilled Pineapple
- How To Grilled Pineapple Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Grilled Pineapple
- Serving and Storing Grilled Pineapple
- Equipment For Grilled Pineapple
- Grilled Pineapple Variations
- The Secret Recipe My Cousin Will Never Share
- Top Tip
- Why This Grilled Pineapple Works
- FAQ
- Fire Up That Grill and Get Sweet!
- Related
- Pairing
- Grilled Pineapple
Ingredients for Grilled Pineapple
The Star:
- Fresh pineapple
Simple Enhancers:
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Honey
- Lime juice
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Flavor Boosters:
- Fresh mint
- Coconut flakes
- Rum
- Maple syrup
- Chili powder
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Grilled Pineapple Step By Step
Prep Work:
- Cut off pineapple top and bottom
- Remove skin with sharp knife
- Slice into rings about ¾ inch thick
- Remove core with small knife or cookie cutter
Simple Seasoning:
- Brush rings with melted butter
- Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon
- Add pinch of salt
- Let sit 5 minutes
The Grilling:
- Heat grill to medium-high
- Oil grates lightly
- Place pineapple rings on grill
- Cook 3-4 minutes per side
Watch for Good Stuff:
- Flip once when golden
- Look for nice grill marks
- Edges should caramelize
- Don't move them too early
Smart Swaps for Grilled Pineapple
Sweetener Options:
- Brown sugar → Coconut sugar
- Honey → Maple syrup
- Regular sugar → Raw sugar
- Stevia → Sugar-free option
Spice Alternatives:
- Cinnamon → Nutmeg
- Regular spices → Pumpkin pie spice
- Plain → Chili powder for heat
- Basic → Cardamom for fancy
Fat Choices:
- Butter → Coconut oil
- Regular → Olive oil spray
- Dairy → Vegan butter
- Traditional → Ghee
No Grill Options:
- Charcoal → Electric indoor grill
- Outdoor grill → Grill pan on stove
- Gas grill → Oven broiler
Serving and Storing Grilled Pineapple
Serving Tips:
- Best served warm off the grill
- Good at room temperature too
- Cut into smaller pieces for kids
- Drizzle any leftover juices on top
Storage (1-2 days):
- Cool completely first
- Store in refrigerator
- Cover with plastic wrap
- Reheat gently in microwave
Make-Ahead:
- Prep pineapple rings morning of
- Keep covered in fridge
- Season right before grilling
- Don't grill too far ahead
Leftover Ideas:
- Mix into yogurt
- Chop for fruit salad
- Blend into smoothies
- Top pancakes or waffles
Equipment For Grilled Pineapple
- Sharp chef's knife
- Stable cutting board
- Long-handled tongs
- Grill brush for cleaning
- Small bowl for seasoning
Grilled Pineapple Variations
Tropical Paradise:
- Brush with coconut oil
- Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes
- Add lime zest
- Drizzle with rum
Spicy Sweet:
- Mix chili powder with brown sugar
- Add cayenne pinch
- Squeeze fresh lime
- Garnish with mint
Dessert Style:
- Serve with vanilla ice cream
- Drizzle caramel sauce
- Top with chopped nuts
- Add whipped cream
Breakfast Twist:
- Serve with Greek yogurt
- Drizzle honey
- Add granola crunch
- Fresh berries on side
The Secret Recipe My Cousin Will Never Share
My cousin discovered this twist to grilled pineapple during a family reunion last summer, and she's been guarding it like a state secret ever since. I only found out by accident when Emma was helping her in the kitchen and saw her mixing something weird into a small bowl. She was adding a tablespoon of soy sauce to her brown sugar and butter mixture before brushing it on the pineapple rings.
It sounds completely crazy, but that tiny bit of salty soy sauce makes the sweet caramelization pop in ways I never expected. The saltiness doesn't take over anything - it just makes all the other flavors taste more like themselves, if that makes sense. My cousin also sprinkles a pinch of black pepper on top right before serving, which Emma thought was weird until he tried it and declared it "the best pineapple ever." Now every time we grill pineapple, he asks if we're making "cousin's secret style" and gets disappointed when I make the regular version.
Top Tip
- Choose your pineapple carefully - it should smell sweet at the bottom and give slightly when pressed, but not be mushy. The leaves should pull out easily from the top, which is Emma's favorite test when we're at the store. Cut your rings thick enough (about ¾ inch) so they don't fall apart on the grill, and always remove that tough core in the center. Don't flip too early - let those sugars really caramelize and create nice grill marks before you even think about turning them.
- Keep your grill at medium-high heat, not screaming hot, or you'll burn the outside before the inside gets tender. Clean your grill grates well and oil them lightly so the fruit doesn't stick. If you're adding seasonings like butter and brown sugar, brush them on right before grilling, not too far ahead or the pineapple will get soggy. And here's the big one - resist the urge to move the rings around once they're on the grill.
Why This Grilled Pineapple Works
Grilling pineapple works because heat breaks down the fruit's cell walls and concentrates the natural sugars. When those sugars hit the hot grill grates, they caramelize and create those golden-brown edges that taste like candy. The high heat also evaporates some of the water content, making each bite more intense and flavorful than raw pineapple. The secret is getting the grill hot enough to caramelize the sugars quickly without overcooking the inside.
That's why we slice the rings thick - it gives us time to get good color on the outside while keeping the center tender and juicy. Emma always wants to know why we can't just eat it raw, and I tell him it's like the difference between regular bread and toast - same ingredients, but heat changes everything. The added butter and brown sugar aren't just for flavor - they help the caramelization happen faster and create an even better crust. The butter also keeps the pineapple from sticking to the grates, which makes flipping so much easier.
FAQ
Is Grilled Pineapple good on the grill?
Yes, Grilled Pineapple is great on the grill! The high heat caramelizes the natural sugars, creating sweet, golden edges while keeping the inside tender and juicy. It's one of the easiest and most rewarding fruits to grill, good for beginners.
Can you Grilled Pineapple in the oven?
You can broil Grilled Pineapple in the oven as a substitute for grilling. Set your broiler to high and place pineapple rings on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and golden brown.
Can I Grilled Pineapple on the stove?
Yes, use a Grilled Pineapple pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the pineapple rings for 3-4 minutes per side until you get nice grill marks and caramelization. It won't have the smoky flavor but still tastes good.
How to cut pineapple to grill?
Cut off the top and bottom, remove the skin with a sharp knife, then slice into rings about ¾ inch thick. Remove the tough core from each ring using a small knife or round cookie cutter for clean, even rings.
Fire Up That Grill and Get Sweet!
Now you have all the secrets to making grilled pineapple that'll have everyone asking for your recipe - from choosing the right pineapple to my cousin's secret soy sauce trick. This simple summer treat proves that sometimes the best desserts are the ones that don't feel like dessert at all. Emma and I have served this to everyone from picky eaters to fruit haters, and it always wins them over.
Want more sweet treats to round out your summer menu? Try our rich and creamy Delicious Baklava Cheesecake Recipe that combines two classic desserts into one showstopper that'll have your guests talking for weeks. Cool things down with our refreshing The Best Orange Creamsicle Truffles Recipe that tastes like childhood memories and summer afternoons. Or go tropical with our Easy Coconut Tapioca Pudding Recipe that's like a hug in a bowl and pairs nicely with this grilled pineapple!
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Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Grilled Pineapple
Grilled Pineapple
Equipment
- 1 Sharp chef’s knife (For cutting pineapple)
- 1 Stable cutting board (To safely slice rings)
- 1 Long-handled tongs (For flipping pineapple on grill)
- 1 Grill Brush (To clean/oil grates)
- 1 Small bowl (For mixing seasoning)
Ingredients
- 1 whole Fresh pineapple - Ripe but firm
- 2 tablespoon Butter melted - Swap: coconut oil, vegan butter
- 2 tablespoon Brown sugar - Swap: coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon - Or nutmeg/pumpkin spice
- 1 tablespoon Honey - Or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Lime juice - Freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract - Optional
- 1 pinch Salt - Enhances caramelization
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