Grilled Pineapple

This easy Grilled Brown Sugar Pineapple is one of the best things to make on the grill. It comes out sweet with deliciously charred grill marks. The flavor is unreal. Plus it can be used in so many different ways. You'll definitely want to eat it for dessert but it is also so good with grilled meats, tacos, burgers, and more. 

It's hard to even begin to tell you just how amazing this grilled pineapple tastes. After stocking up on a few pineapples last week, we have been eating these with everything. The first night, we went traditional and served them with vanilla ice cream and coconut sorbet. The coconut sorbet version might be my new favorite summer dessert. 

The next night, I used the leftovers to make some grilled pineapple salsa for some quick fish tacos.  The combination of the sweet pineapple with the spicy fish works. The whole family was happy. Then we made them one more time as a side for some barbecue chicken with corn on the cob and a salad. It made a super simple meal something special. 

Trust me, you want to start grilling pineapples as soon as possible. Nothing is better. 

How to grill pineapple?

Grilling pineapple couldn't be easier. Start by cutting the pineapple into rings or half circles. You can remove the core or simply eat around it. Then brush the pineapple with brown sugar and let it rest for 10 minutes. This helps bring out the sweetness of the pineapple and also helps it caramelize on the grill. Trust me, you want this.

Make sure your grill is clean and lightly oil the grates. Place the pineapple directly on the grates and cook for 2-4 minutes per side until nice grill marks have formed the pineapple starts to brown and caramelize. Flip and repeat. 

Recipe and Seasoning Ideas

• Make it spicy: If you love sweet and spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, Tajin, or chili powder to the pineapple before putting it on the grill.
• Add rum: Adults may enjoy soaking the pineapple in coconut rum before placing them on the grill. They only need about 10 minutes in some rum to soak up the flavor, and you can still use the pineapple-infused rum after for a cocktail. For a more subtle flavor, just brush the pineapple with the rum.
• Add curry: For a savory application, consider sprinkling the pineapple with some curry powder. The earthy, savory notes of the curry powder are really good with pineapple.
• Asian flavors: If you plan on using these pineapples alongside an Asian inspired dish, consider drizzle the pineapples with a bit of soy sauce before placing them on the grill. Sriracha is great as well. Then sprinkle with sesame seeds when they come off the grill. 
• BBQ: For a classic barbecue feel, brush the pineapple slices with barbecue sauce. You can leave out the brown sugar or use less since barbecue sauce already contains sugar. 

Serving Ideas

There are so many different ways to serve these grilled pineapple slices from sweet options to savory options and everything in between. These will become a summer staple and something you crave all year long. 

• These make an amazing dessert on their own, but you can take it up a notch with yogurt or ice cream. Consider classic vanilla, coconut, ginger, or any rum inspired flavors. 
• Serve these on their own as a side dish with savory grilled dishes like barbecue chicken, pork, and shrimp. 
• Turn this into the most amazing salsa by chopping the grilled pineapple and adding red onion, cilantro, jalapenos, tomatoes, and lime juice. Serve it on grilled meats, in tacos, or with chips.
• Make this a delicious salad with peppery greens like arugula, goat cheese, cucumbers, green onions, and vinaigrette. It also makes a delicious coleslaw.
• This makes the most amazing topping on burgers and sandwiches. It's a simple way to elevate an easy meal. 
• If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, use them in some quick fried rice or stir fry. 

How to cut a pineapple for grilling?

Pineapples can be an intimidating fruit and many people find it difficult to cut. However, with the right technique, it's easy.  Start by cutting off the top and bottom of the pineapple so that it stands easily on a cutting board. Then simply slice down around the edges to remove the spiky exterior. I took an extra step to make the pineapple pretty for the photos, but a simple straight cut works great. 

Then you have two options. If you want pineapple rounds, you will need to use a pineapple corer. If you eat a lot of pineapples, these are definitely worth the money since they make cutting a pineapple incredibly easy.

The second option is to cut the pineapple in half. Then use a sharp knife to cut out the core. Basically you are cutting a long triangle out of each half. Then cut into slices. 

Can pineapple be grilled on skewers?

Pineapples work great on skewers. Simply cut the pineapples into chunks and thread them onto skewers. Then sprinkle on all sides with the brown sugar and let rest for 10 minutes on a plate. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side or until the pineapple begins to brown and have grill marks. 

How to choose a pineapple?

If you want to make really delicious grilled pineapple, it all starts by choosing a ripe, delicious pineapple. Too green and it will lack sweetness and too ripe and it tastes fermented. Here's what to look for: 

• Start with the leaves. They should be bright green and healthy. Make sure they aren't shriveled or brown.
• Next look at the color. It should be a greenish-yellow in color, with some bright yellow peeking through. If it is really green, it's not ready yet. If it is beginning to turn brown, it's too ripe. 
• Give the pineapple a gentle squeeze, it should have just a little give but on the firm side. It shouldn't be soft or mushy.
• One of the most important things to do is to look at the bottom of the pineapple. It should be more yellow and should smell sweet and fresh. If it smells overly sweet, it's too ripe. Also if the base is browned or at all squishu, it's too ripe. 

Can I make this without the sugar?

This recipe will work great without adding the brown sugar, it just won't be quite as caramelized or sweet. You can also substitute honey or maple syrup for the sugar for a refined sugar-free option or just reduce the amount you use. If you are planning on a more savory application, it can also be smart to use less sugar or eliminate it completely.

More grilled fruit recipes

• Grilled Apples
• Grilled Watermelon
• Grilled Watermelon Salad
• Grilled Bananas
• Grilled Avocados