How to Grill Pineapple
Learn how to grill pineapple for a deliciously sweet and impressive fruit dessert any time of year!
With just a handful of ingredients, including a ripe pineapple, you can learn how to grill pineapple in the least boring way!
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I’ve been making this grilled pineapple recipe for over 30 years for a reason: it’s spectacular and so delicious. It’s also super quick and easy to make and is impressive, so what’s not to love? You could even call this brûléed pineapple, because that’s exactly what it is. I cannot explain to you just how delicious it is–you’ll simply have to give it a try!
Please note, it doesn’t matter how you cut or slice the fresh pineapple, the same directions apply. It also doesn’t matter if you put the pineapple on the barbecue or under the broiler, it’s such an easy recipe, you’ll see that you really won’t need the recipe once you try it the first time!
Love pineapple? Try my aunt’s no-cook pineapple dream dessert or my moist pineapple cake recipe!
Why This Grilled Pineapple Recipe Works
- You’ll need a juicy, sweet and fresh pineapple for best results. I used a Del Monte Precious Honeyglow pineapple from Melissa’s Produce which you can find at your local grocery store or on Melissa’s Produce online.
2. I found this recipe in one of those packets of recipes (like McCall’s Cooking School) when I was a teenager-yes, I loved cooking and baking since I was 7 years old!) It’s a solid recipe which I have made countless times, and is fantastic every time.
How Long to Grill a Pineapple
The purpose of grilling a pineapple isn’t as much to cook it as it is to warm and caramelize the sugar and butter that’s added to it. Usually, 5 to 10 minutes is enough to do the job, but depending on your preference, and how hot the grill is, it may be shorter or longer.
Unfortunately, I can’t give credit to the exact source since it’s not listed in the recipe page, which I still have. If anyone recognizes the photo above, please let me know so I can give proper credit to the image and grilled pineapple recipe.
If you want to know how to grill pineapple slices, follow this exact recipe, except cut the pineapple into slices, instead. Of course, you can grill pineapple using nothing except pineapple, but there won’t be much to it except for a little added color or smokiness (if on an outdoor grill.)
How to Grill a Pineapple
Recipe slightly adapted from Serves 4
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- fresh, ripe pineapple
- butter, salted
- brown sugar
- rum (optional)
Special equipment: large cutting board, sharp chef’s knife, long matches
Directions
How to Cut Pineapple for Grilling
Cut the pineapple by following these steps which you can see in the above photo ~
- Set up a cutting board which has a damp cloth underneath so it doesn’t slip, and place the pineapple on it.
- Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise using a sharp chef’s knife.
- Cut each half into halves so you have four quarters.
- Carefully remove the core of each quarter, then slice the flesh of the pineapple away from the rind, keeping one end slightly attached so that it stays fixed.
Next, cut through the pineapple flesh lengthwise to create thirds (without detaching the end you kept intact), then slice width-wise into bite sized chunks.
If using your broiler (oven grill) place the quarters on a baking sheet and wrap the green tops in aluminum foil. If using an outdoor barbecue, place each quarter on a sheet of foil large enough to wrap the entire piece.
Add the Butter and Sugar
Arrange pieces of butter all over, and in between the pineapple pieces.
Finally, sprinkle brown sugar over the pineapple quarters as evenly as possible. If using the broiler, turn it on high (if there is a choice) to preheat it. If using an outdoor barbecue, wrap the prepared pineapple pieces with the foil then place on the grill.
Grill the Pineapple
Grill for 5 to 10 minutes, until the pineapple is golden brown and caramelized. You can add more sugar or butter as desired. The goal is not to cook the pineapple, just to brûlée the top. While the pineapple is under the grill, put the rum in a small pot to heat on the stove.
Finish the Dessert
Remove from the oven when ready, and take the aluminum foil off the crowns.
Carefully light the heated rum (away from the stove) with a long matchstick. It will extinguish on its own.
Pour a quarter of the rum over each serving of pineapple.
Place each pineapple quarter onto an individual plate and serve immediately with forks and knives.
Did you know pineapple has a plethora of health benefits including improved recovery time after surgery? – Healthline
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How to Grill Pineapple
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple fresh and ripe
- 4 Tbsp butter good quality, salted
- ½ c brown sugar dark or light
- 4 Tbsp dark rum (optional)
Instructions
How to Cut Pineapple for Grilling
- Cut the pineapple by following these steps which you can see in the photo ~1. Set up a cutting board which has a damp cloth underneath so it doesn’t slip, and place the pineapple on it. 2. Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise using a sharp chef’s knife. 3. Cut each half into halves so you have four quarters. 4. Carefully remove the core of each quarter, then slice the flesh of the pineapple away from the rind, keeping one end slightly attached so that it stays fixed.
- Next, cut through the pineapple flesh lengthwise to create thirds (without detaching the end you kept intact), then slice width-wise into bite sized chunks.
- If using your broiler (oven grill) place the quarters on a baking sheet and wrap the green tops in aluminum foil. If using an outdoor barbecue, place each quarter on a sheet of foil large enough to wrap the entire piece.
Add the Butter and Sugar
- Arrange pieces of butter all over, and in between the pineapple pieces.
- Finally, sprinkle brown sugar over the pineapple quarters as evenly as possible. If using the broiler, turn it on high (if there is a choice) to preheat it. If using an outdoor barbecue, wrap the prepared pineapple pieces with the foil then place on the grill.
Grill the Pineapple
- Grill for 5 to 10 minutes, until the pineapple is golden brown and caramelized. You can add more sugar or butter as desired. The goal is not to cook the pineapple, just to brûlée the top. (On a barbecue, check the pineapple, by peeking inside the foil under desired result is acheived.) While the pineapple is under or on the grill, put the rum in a small pot to heat on the stove.
Finish the Dessert
- Remove from the oven (or outdoor grill) when ready, and take the aluminum foil off. Carefully light the heated rum (away from the stove) with a long matchstick. It will extinguish on its own.
- Pour a quarter of the rum over each serving of pineapple.
- Place each pineapple quarter onto an individual plate and serve immediately with forks and knives. Pour any runoff from the pan into a small jug and pour over the pieces.
Notes
- Measurements are not critical in this recipe. There’s actually no need to measure anything as you can easily “eye-ball” the amounts as you desire.
- If using an outdoor grill/barbecue, simply wrap each pineapple quarter with the butter and sugar added, then add the rum afterwards, just before serving.
- NOTE: my preferred method is under the broiler as it caramelizes the brown sugar and butter, versus the outdoor grill simply heating it. Both taste great, but the former gives a lovely texture to the top of the pineapple.
Nutrition
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