As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
These Grilled Pineapples are the ultimate summer side dish that will perfectly complement any of your grilled or fried dishes! If you are looking for an affordable, easy to make, and healthy treat to brighten your backyard cookouts, beach BBQ party, or family picnics and bring the taste of summer to your plate, then this grilled tropical fruit recipe is for you.
Delicious and Super Easy Grilled Pineapple Recipe
When the warm season is in full swing, grillers are fired and everyone wants to just eat outside and enjoy the sunshine. We love making our Grilled Tofu Steaks when the weather permits and we always make sure that we grill sweet and juicy pineapples on the side. This recipe is super easy and will only take you 15 minutes to prep and cook with just 5 plant ingredients. It’s way easy for something so, so good!
Pineapples in their raw form are awesome, but when they’re basted and grilled, they are something else! We love how the firm flesh softens and becomes even juicier instead of drying out! The sugar caramelizes and the heat intensifies the natural flavor of the fruit and adds a touch of smokiness. Basting them with a cinnamon-flavored, buttery, and sweet sauce elevates the taste even more. Each bite is brimming with a light and refreshing flavor that cleanses your palate and makes your meal more enjoyable.
What you’ll need
You only need 5 ingredients to make this. I bet four of them are just sitting in your pantry, ready to be used.
- Pineapples
- Vegan butter
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
Why is Pineapple good for you?
They may be tough-looking, scaly, and spiky on the outside, but these crowned tropical fruits are loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes. They bring a bunch of impressive health benefits like improved immunity and digestion, prevent certain diseases, and helps our body recover faster after particularly strenuous activities. Another great thing to note, unlike meat, veggies and fruits that are grilled do not produce harmful compounds even when charred.
How to pick the perfect pineapple?
Making sure that the pineapples you use are ripe yet firm is important for grilling. Overripe pineapple will turn into a mushy mess on the grill. You have to check for the following:
- Color- unlike some fruits, color is not a sure-fire way to determine ripeness for pineapples. Though some ripen to a golden yellow color, some retain their green color even when ripe inside. A good tip is to check the leaves. They should be a healthy dark green in color. This is a sign that the pineapple is still fresh.
- Firmness- it should still be firm to the touch but gives a bit when pressed. If it is too firm, it is not yet ripe. If it is damp when pressed, it can be an indication that it’s overripe.
- Smell- some say that the smell is a good giveaway for ripeness. Sniff the bottom part of the fruit. If it smells sweet and fragrant, grab it and start grilling!
Preparing the pineapples
Place the pineapple on your cutting board horizontally, then slice off the top and bottom parts. Turn it upright and let it sit flat on its bottom. Carefully slice 1/4 inch off the sides following the natural curve of the fruit. Using a smaller knife, like a paring knife, remove the prickly “eyes”. Once it is peeled, you can de-core it using your pineapple corer, then slice. If you do not have one, lay it horizontally and slice to your desired thickness first. Once they are sliced, you can use a cookie cutter to remove the core.
How to make Grilled Pineapples?
The first step is to make the basting sauce by adding brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in melted butter.
Next, brush the sauce on both sides of the pineapple slices and place them on the preheated grill.
Grill them for 2 minutes on each side and serve! Easy-peasy.
Helpful Tips for you!
- Make sure that you do not slice the pineapples too thin. Half an inch to three-fourths should do nicely. This will ensure that they hold up their shape during grilling.
- If you don’t have fresh pineapple, you can use canned rings instead.
- You can make this recipe using an outdoor charcoal grill, electric grill, or a grill pan.
- Pre-heating and greasing your grill is important to ensure minimal sticking. Use a neutral oil to grease the grill before cooking.
- Make sure that you let the pineapples sit on the grill uninterrupted for 2 minutes on each side before flipping. Allow them to properly sear first before flipping.
What to use Grilled Pineapples for?
Aside from enjoying it as a side dish to your grilled dishes, they also bring a ton of flavor to other dishes! Stack them on your burgers and sandwiches for a Hawaiian-style snack. You can also add them to your fave summer salad for some added sweetness, smokiness, and texture. Or slice them to use for your kebabs, fajitas, or tacos.
Grilled Pineapples
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of vegan butter
- 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ripe pineapple peeled, cored, and sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, heat the butter. Whisk in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt.
- Preheat the grill and lightly oil or spray. If you’re using a grill pan, preheat on medium-high and spray.
- Brush the mixture onto both sides of each pineapple slice and place it on the grill for 2 minutes on each side.
Notes
- Make sure that you do not slice the pineapples too thin. Half an inch to three-fourths should do nicely. This will ensure that they hold up their shape during grilling.
- If you don’t have fresh pineapple, you can use canned rings instead.
- You can make this recipe using an outdoor charcoal grill, electric grill, or a grill pan.
- Pre-heating and greasing your grill is important to ensure minimal sticking. Use a neutral oil to grease the grill before cooking.
- Make sure that you let the pineapples sit on the grill uninterrupted for 2 minutes on each side before flipping. Allow them to properly sear first before flipping.
