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I once enjoyed grilled pineapple at a Brazilian restaurant, and it was delicious. Everyone loved it. The grilling and seasoning enhanced the flavor of the fruit. So I’ve experimented with the idea and created a simple recipe that comes together quickly and pairs well with just about anything you might be grilling for dinner.

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Grilled pineapple ingredients:

I’ll suggest quantities for these ingredients, but this isn’t a situation requiring careful measurement. The amounts used will vary with the natural sweetness of the fruit, the size of the pineapple, and your own preferences.

one ripe pineapple
1/4 cup good-quality olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Grilled pineapple instructions:

Rinse and peel the pineapple. Cut it into strips and arrange it on a tray. (I use a pizza pan!) Drizzle with olive oil and honey, and then sprinkle with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Gently massage everything into the fruit, turning it over to coat all sides. Let it rest until you’re ready to put it on the grill, a few minutes or up to an hour.

slicing and preparing the pineapple — I slice to the left and right of the core as shown here, and then cut the strips in front of and behind the core.

I slice to the left and right of the core as shown here, and then cut the strips in front of and behind the core.

Prepare your grill and preheat to medium. Grill for about five minutes, flip the pieces, and then grill another five minutes. Remove from the heat and serve.

Pairing suggestions

Grilled pineapple is fairly versatile, but I think it works especially well with grilled chicken, pork, kebabs, or burgers. Add a nice tossed salad and you’re ready to go! A simple summer meal that’s sure to please.

Flavor variations

Try it using sesame oil. Swap out the honey for hot sauce, lime juice, or lemon juice. Swap out the cinnamon and cayenne pepper for other seasonings such as Tajín, curry powder, jerk seasoning, ground ginger, or smoked paprika. You’ll have to let me know if you come up with a tasty combination!

Tips

If you don’t have a grill, you can do this under the broiler. Still delicious!
Make sure to use strips that are big enough. You don’t want them to fall apart on the grill. We aim for about an inch in width and thickness. Cutting the pineapple into six pieces seems to be about right.
I recommend using fresh pineapple rather than canned pineapple slices. It can be difficult to find nice fresh pineapple, though, so I’d be interested to hear if you experiment.

grilled pineapple

A simple recipe for grilled pineapple that comes together quickly and pairs well with just about anything else you might be grilling for dinner.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings: 6

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

1 ripe pineapple
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)

Method

Rinse and peel the pineapple. Cut it into strips and arrange it on a tray. Drizzle with olive oil and honey, and then sprinkle with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Gently massage everything into the fruit, turning it over to coat all sides. Let it rest until you're ready to put it on the grill, a few minutes or up to an hour.
Prepare and preheat your grill to medium heat. Grill for about five minutes, flip the pieces, and then grill another five minutes. Remove from the heat and serve.

Notes

Pineapples vary in size and sweetness, so adjust the ingredients accordingly. In particular, use the quantity of cayenne pepper that suits your taste.
If you don’t have a grill, you can do this under the broiler. Still delicious!
Make sure to use strips that are big enough. You don’t want them to fall apart on the grill. We aim for about an inch in width and thickness.
Grilled pineapple is fairly versatile, but I think it works especially well with grilled chicken, pork, kebabs, or burgers.
Experiment with the flavors. Try sesame oil. Swap out the honey for hot sauce, lime juice, or lemon juice. Swap out the cinnamon and cayenne pepper for other seasonings such as Tajín, curry powder, jerk seasoning, ground ginger, or smoked paprika.

Have you ever tried grilled pineapple? Have you grilled any other types of fruit?

A high school friend of mine is an amazing cook. (She was amazing at sixteen!) I know she has grilled watermelon slices. I know of others who have grilled peaches. What is your experience? Let me know in the comments. I love using fresh produce in simple ways.

grilled pineapple and a whole pineapple in the background, "grilled pineapple: sweet simplicity" in the text overlay

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Fondly,

Crysti