Grilled Pineapple Recipe

By Sophia DeSantis, Reviewed by Anjali Shah on August 7, 2025

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My easy Grilled Pineapple Recipe is ready on the table in less than 30 minutes! I love how it transforms a tropical fruit into a caramelized delight using lime juice, dairy-free butter, and coconut sugar. It’s the perfect side dish or summer sweet treat to pair with a scoop of ice cream!

Slices of pineapple with grill marks on a white platter sitting on a yellow checked napkin.

We always have pineapple stocked in our house for a quick and healthy pineapple and banana smoothie or pina coladas on hot afternoons! It’s such a versatile fruit that I started grilling it with a rub of sugar, butter, and lime juice, and now it’s my favorite way to get that sweet caramelized flavor.

Table of Contents hide

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

🍽 Serving Suggestions

🧊 Storage Directions

❓Recipe FAQs

🥣 More Easy Dessert Recipes!

📋 Recipe Card

That experiment unlocked tons of flavor that my boys just absolutely love with ice cream for a hot and cold sensation. Whether I’m grilling it or making fresh pineapple puree for baking and smoothies, pineapple is always on hand in our house to transform any recipe with its sweet flavor!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

As a creative mom in the kitchen, I’m always looking for new ways to serve fruit and veg beyond our usual smoothies and baked treats. This grilled pineapple recipe has become our favorite summer dessert, transforming our kitchen into the tropics. My boys, who already love fruit in everything from breakfast bowls to afternoon snacks, go crazy for the warm, caramelized pieces straight off the grill.

I’ve grilled pineapple on both a grill and a griddle pan, and it tastes perfect either way. I simply brush each piece with dairy-free butter, sprinkle on coconut sugar, and add a splash of lime juice. Then watch it as the sugar slowly caramelizes and those gorgeous grill marks appear. After just 2-4 minutes on each side, my kitchen turns into a tropical paradise! Sometimes I add a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor, which makes the whole house smell amazing.

The best part about this recipe is its simplicity. Just four basic ingredients, and any grill or pan will do. I’ve served this at countless summer gatherings, and everyone from my mother to our neighbors asks for the recipe. What starts as a simple grilled fruit becomes an irresistible dessert in just over 20 minutes. Sometimes the simplest recipes create the most memorable treats!

🥘 Ingredients

Sure, you can just throw plain pineapple on the grill, but why not add more flavor? The following ingredients are highly recommended to make the glaze for grilled pineapple:

Whole pineapple: I like using a fresh, ripe pineapple because it gets extra sweet when grilled. Cutting it into thick slices helps it stay intact on the grill.

Lime juice: I squeeze fresh lime juice for a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness. It really makes the pineapple taste fresh.

Dairy free butter: I melt it so it coats the pineapple easily before grilling. It helps the sugar stick and adds a rich flavor.

Brown or coconut sugar: I sprinkle just enough to caramelize on the grill. It gives the pineapple a golden a sweet crust everyone loves.

🔪 How To Make

When I find fresh pineapple at the local market, the first thing I think about is grilling it. Here is exactly how I make it:

Prep the pineapple: I cut off the top and bottom, slice it in half lengthwise, and remove the core. Then I cut it into thick slices.

Slices of pineapple being grilled on a flat grill pan

Add the flavor: I drizzle on the lime juice, brush with butter if using, and sprinkle with sugar. If I’m adding cinnamon, I do that now.

Hand squeezing a lime over sliced of pineapple on a white plate.

Grill: I place the slices on a preheated grill or grill pan and cook for 2 to 4 minutes per side, until they have pretty grill marks and a light char.

Serve: I love them warm, topped with shredded coconut, a scoop of ice cream, or just on their own.

Fork and knife cutting a slice of grilled pineapple on a white plate.

💭 Expert Tips

My #1 Secret Tip for making this grilled pineapple is to cut every slice the same thickness. I remember the first time I made it, I rushed and ended up with some pieces that were burnt while others were still too firm. Now I slow down, grab a good sharp knife, and make sure each slice matches the rest. It only takes a few extra minutes, and it means every bite is tender, sweet, and perfectly caramelized. Plus, it just looks prettier on the plate, which always makes the kids more excited to eat it.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

Choose ripe pineapple: I like to pick one that smells sweet at the base and has just a little give when pressed. It grills beautifully and has the best flavor.
Don’t skip the preheat: A hot grill helps sear the outside quickly, locking in all that juicy sweetness.
Brush while cooking: I keep a little extra melted butter and sugar mixture on hand to brush over the pineapple as it grills for extra caramelization.
Serve warm: Fresh off the grill is when it’s at its best. I love it over ice cream or with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

📖 Variations

This grilled pineapple is one of my favorite summer treats, and I love how easy it is to change the flavors. For a variation, I suggest the following favorites:

Dip in chocolate: I melt about ½ cup of dark chocolate and dip the edges of the grilled pineapple in it. It makes the fruit taste like a tropical candy.

Marinate in rum: I soak the pineapple slices in 2 tablespoons of rum with a bit of lime juice for about 10 minutes before grilling. It adds a rich flavor that is perfect for grown-ups.

Serve with fresh mint: I chop about 2 tablespoons of fresh mint and sprinkle it over the pineapple right before serving.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

While my grilled pineapple is absolutely delicious on its own, I love incorporating it into other recipes throughout the week. On busy weeknights, I add warm grilled pieces to my teriyaki vegetables stir fry, where the caramelized edges complement the savory Asian flavors perfectly. We also love adding it to our Mexican fruit salad for weekend brunches.

My boys favorite way to enjoy grilled pineapple is paired with homemade tofu ice cream for that amazing hot and cold combination. On hot afternoons, we blend it into healthy pina colada smoothies that taste indulgent but stay nutritious. I usually grill extra pineapple on weekends so we have plenty for recipes all week long!

🧊 Storage Directions

Refrigeration: I keep any leftover grilled pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Freezing: I place the cooled pineapple pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze them for up to three months.

Reheating: I warm the pineapple in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until heated through. You can also pop them on the grill for a quick refresh.

❓Recipe FAQs

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Yes, I’ve made this recipe with canned pineapple rings when fresh ones weren’t available, especially in the middle of winter. I just make sure to drain them really well and pat them dry with a paper towel so they caramelize instead of steaming. They won’t be quite as vibrant as fresh pineapple, but they’re still sweet, juicy, and a real treat when grilled.

What kind of grill works best for this recipe?

I’ve tried this on my big outdoor barbecue and also on a stovetop grill pan, and honestly, both taste amazing. The outdoor grill adds that light smoky flavor, while the grill pan is perfect if I’m cooking inside and don’t want to fire up the barbecue. I just keep the heat at medium so the sugar melts and caramelizes without burning.

How do I know when the pineapple is done?

I know the pineapple is ready when I see those pretty golden grill marks and the slices feel just a little softer when I press with my tongs. It usually takes three to four minutes per side depending on how thick I’ve cut them. The smell is also a giveaway, you’ll notice a warm, sweet aroma that tells you it’s time to flip.

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