Who would have thought grilled pineapple could be so delicious? Grilling fruit brings out its natural sweetness and enhances its flavor. Our special grilled pineapple recipe can be made in 3 different ways: simply grilled, candy-coated, and spicy!
As soon as the weather gets a little bit warmer, you’ll find us outside grilling! From grilled vegetables to garlic lime grilled chicken tacos and easy grilled shrimp, it’s no secret that we love to grill it up at The Stay at Home Chef household. We’re firm believers in the fact that you can grill just about anything if you set your mind to it, and this grilled pineapple recipe is the proof! If you’ve never tasted grilled fruit, boy, you’re in for a treat. We love the way that grilling brings out the natural sweetness in the fruit. Charring may highlight the fruit’s bitterness, but browning it up intensifies the pineapple’s natural flavor. The other cool part about grilling fruit? Just like meat or vegetables, you can add a bit of marinade to switch things up! Depending on what you’re in the mood for, you can grill up pineapple as is, to use as a garnish, or to put in salsa. The sweet tooth in your life will appreciate the brown sugar and cinnamon coating, and spice lovers will go crazy over the spicy grilled pineapple recipe! There’s something for everyone!
What Does Grilled Pineapple Taste Like?
You may be unsure about what to expect from this grilled fruit recipe! We can’t blame you — grilled fruit isn’t super common. This grilled pineapple recipe tastes a bit sweeter than fresh. It takes on a tender texture, and you’ll also notice hints of smoke and charred flavor thanks to the grill.
Troubleshooting: Why Does Pineapple Burn My Tongue?
If you find that pineapple burns your tongue, you may be worried that you can’t enjoy this dish. Pineapple actually irritates most people’s tongues. This is due to the enzymes in the fruit. Your mouth will repair itself in just a few hours after eating this type of fruit so there’s nothing to fear here! You can avoid this irritation altogether by grilling the fruit as the heat breaks down the enzymes!
How Do I Choose A Ripe Pineapple?
The age-old question! There are some fruits and vegetables that are difficult to choose if you don’t know what to look for, and pineapple is one of them! When you head to the grocery store or your local fruitseller, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- The pineapple should have a firm shell
- It should give a little when you squeeze it
- The center leaves can be pulled out easily
- Avoid pineapples that are rock hard
How Do You Cut A Pineapple?
This is another question that comes up a lot! If you don’t know the correct way to core a pineapple, it can seem super complicated. Here are the steps to cutting a pineapple perfectly every time:
- Slice off the top and base, then stand the fruit upright.
- Remove the outer peel using a sharp knife. Watch your fingers!
- Make a few diagonal cuts to carve out the pineapple’s “eyes” (the pieces of peel that remain)
- Cut into your desired shape (cubes, sticks, or wedges), discarding the tough center as you go.
Serving Suggestions:
The recipe card below features 3 different ways to prepare this recipe, including (our favorite) spicy grilled pineapple. Here are a few serving suggestions if you’re not sure what to pair with it, broken down by flavor variation:
- For plain grilled: Use as a base for a fruity salsa (like this strawberry pineapple variation), or simply eat as-is for a fun snack.
- For candy-coated or spicy grilled pineapple: Serve these up with grilled pork tenderloin, grilled steak, coleslaw, cilantro ranch pasta salad, or burgers. You can also serve up the sweet version with a scoop of your favorite ice cream for a unique sundae!
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
You may have some leftover grilled or spicy grilled pineapple. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep for 3-4 days. We really enjoy eating this tasty treat chilled. If you like yours heated up, we recommend that you fire up your grill and reheat them for a few minutes on each side. Just make sure not to burn them! You can also reheat using your microwave. Place the leftovers on a plate and reheat them at 30-second increments until warmed through.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious grilled recipes:
Grilled pineapple is the best! Well worth the pesky job of peeling it. Try marinating the spears for a while in brown sugar with a pinch of cumin and a splash of rum. Delightful! Excellent with ribs, pork/ham, or chicken.