Juicy, warm, caramelized, grilled pineapple is definitely the queen of grilling fruits. The smokiness with cinnamon sugar delivers Brazilian steakhouse vibes and a warming dessert perfect with ice cream.
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Ramp up your family cookout by tossing pineapple wedges on the grill alongside those pork ribs. This versatile fruit delivers a vibrant side, an easy appetizer, and a healthyish dessert option!
While I love eating it right off the stick, you can chop it and serve it on salads, pizza, tacos, or in salsas. Simple yet elegant, grilling pineapple will bring a taste of the tropics into your home year-round.
Why Grill Pineapple
Meat and vegetables get a lot of love on the grill, but fruit also deserves its spot. Along with peaches, plums, mangos, and apples, pineapples get a glow-up from hot coals.
Grilling fruit caramelizes the natural sugar for sweeter results, intensifies its flavor, and makes it juicier and softer. That touch of smokiness is an added bonus. Besides, if you’ve already fired up the grill for the main course, you’ll be making efficient use of the flame.
How to Grill Pineapple
- Make the cinnamon sugar rub, peel the pineapple, cut it into wedges, and remove the core.
- Cover the pineapple wedges generously with the rub, optionally insert skewers for easier serving, and grill away.
Recipe Twists and Tips
- Vanilla ice cream with warm pineapple is even better than apple pie and ice cream.
- Omit the brown sugar if using the pineapple later for a savory dish.
- Don’t waste the pineapple peel and core because they have more flavor than the fruit. Clean the peels well, chop them and the core, and simmer covered in water with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and cardamom with a little bit of sugar for about 30 minutes. Strain, discard the solids, and chill your refreshing pineapple drink.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Peel and chop the fruit a couple of days ahead and store it in the fridge. Then season the pineapple and pop it on the grill before serving.
Leftover grilled pineapple will last in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 4-5 months. It’s delicious chilled on a salad or hot on a pizza. I’ve added a list of recipes below that make great use of leftover pineapple.
When I’m meal planning for a family event that involves grilling, BBQ ribs, baked beans, a tropical coleslaw, and potato salad are what come to mind. Southern sweet tea and banana pudding are also must-haves.
More Fabulous Ways to Use Grilled Pineapple
By Imma