Spicy Grilled Pineapple

Honestly, I never thought I'd be the kind of person who puts chili powder on fruit. But here we are, and this spicy grilled pineapple has become one of those recipes I make on repeat all summer long.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Spicy Grilled Pineapple
• Ingredients For Spicy Grilled Pineapple
• Spicy Grilled Pineapple
• How To Make Spicy Grilled Pineapple
• Storage And Reheating Tips For Grilled Pineapple
• Fun Variations To Try With Spicy Grilled Pineapple
• Frequently Asked Questions About Spicy Grilled Pineapple
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts On This Spicy Grilled Pineapple Recipe

It's sweet, it's smoky, and it has just enough heat to keep things interesting. Alex was skeptical the first time he saw me brushing spice onto pineapple rings, but one bite in and he asked for seconds.

If you love pairing bold, smoky flavors with something sweet, you'll probably also love my baked bbq chicken thighs. The two together make one of the easiest summer dinners I know.

Why You Will Like This Spicy Grilled Pineapple

This recipe checks every box for a busy weeknight or a backyard cookout. Here's why it's earned a permanent spot in our summer rotation.

• It takes about 20 minutes, start to finish
• Only 5 ingredients, and you probably have most of them already
• Sweet and spicy flavors balance each other out perfectly
• Works as a side dish or a dessert, so it's endlessly flexible
• The grill marks and caramelized edges make it look fancy without any real effort
• Naturally gluten free, so it fits most family tables without a fuss

Sarah likes hers plain off the grill, but Donald always asks for a scoop of vanilla ice cream next to his. That's the beauty of this one. Everyone in my house eats it a little differently.

Ingredients For Spicy Grilled Pineapple

Here's exactly what you'll need to pull this together. Nothing complicated, I promise.

• 1 whole pineapple, peeled and cut into 6 half inch thick rings
• 1 red chili pepper, seeded and chopped fine
• 5 teaspoons packed cane sugar or brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

A note on the chili pepper. If your family isn't big on heat, use half the amount and taste as you go. I learned this the hard way the first time I made it for a neighborhood cookout. Half the guests loved the kick, and the other half asked for water.

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How To Make Spicy Grilled Pineapple

This comes together fast, so have your grill or grill pan ready before you start prepping.

Prep The Spice Mix

Preheat your barbecue or grill pan to medium heat.

Place the chopped chili pepper, 5 teaspoons of sugar, and the paprika into a mortar and pestle. Grind everything together until it turns into a fine, fragrant paste.

If you don't own a mortar and pestle, a small bowl and the back of a spoon work just fine. I've done it that way plenty of times when mine was buried in the back of a cabinet.

Coat The Pineapple

Brush the spice mixture generously over both sides of each pineapple ring. Press it gently into the fruit with your fingers so it really sticks.

Let the rings sit and marinate for about 15 minutes. This step matters more than you'd think. It gives the sugar time to start pulling out the pineapple's natural juices, which helps everything caramelize once it hits the grill.

Grill The Pineapple

Brush or spray your grill grates with a little vegetable oil so nothing sticks.

Place the pineapple rings on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until you see deep golden grill marks and the edges start to caramelize.

Serve it right away while it's still warm. That's when the outside is perfectly caramelized and the inside stays juicy.

Storage And Reheating Tips For Grilled Pineapple

If you somehow end up with leftovers, here's what works for us.

Store any extra grilled pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavor actually deepens a bit as it sits, which I honestly didn't expect the first time I tried it.

To reheat, a quick 30 seconds in the microwave does the trick, or toss it back on a hot grill pan for a minute to bring back some of that caramelized edge. I don't recommend freezing this one. The texture gets watery once it thaws, and it loses that nice bite.

Fun Variations To Try With Spicy Grilled Pineapple

Once you've made this a few times, you'll probably want to play around with it. Here are some ideas I've tried myself.

• Swap the red chili pepper for a pinch of cayenne if that's what you have on hand
• Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving for extra brightness
• Skip the fresh chili and use dried chili flakes instead, just add a few extra minutes to the marinating time
• Pair it with grilled shrimp skewers for a really fun dinner presentation
• Serve it over vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of honey for dessert

Have you ever tried pairing sweet fruit with something spicy before? It sounds strange until you taste it, and then it just makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spicy Grilled Pineapple

How do you keep pineapple from sticking to the grill?

Make sure your grill grates are clean and well oiled before you start. I brush mine with a little vegetable oil right before the pineapple goes on. A hot grill also helps a lot, since it sears the fruit quickly instead of letting it sit and stick.

How long should pineapple rings be grilled?

About 2 to 3 minutes per side over medium heat is all you need. You're looking for those deep golden grill marks and a slightly caramelized edge. Any longer and the fruit can turn mushy instead of holding its shape.

Can you make spicy grilled pineapple without an outdoor grill?

Absolutely. I make this on a stovetop grill pan all winter long when the weather won't cooperate. Just preheat the pan over medium heat and follow the same cook time. You'll still get those signature grill marks.

What can you serve with spicy grilled pineapple?

It's wonderful alongside grilled chicken, pork, or shrimp for dinner. For dessert, try it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of honey. Donald's favorite way to eat it is straight off the grill with a fork before it even makes it to the table.

Recipes You May Like

• Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs — the smoky, saucy chicken pairs beautifully with the sweet heat of grilled pineapple.
• Pineapple Green Smoothie — if you fall in love with pineapple here, this smoothie is a fresh way to use it for breakfast.
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites And Potatoes — a hearty, savory dinner that this sweet and spicy side balances out perfectly.

Final Thoughts On This Spicy Grilled Pineapple Recipe

This spicy grilled pineapple recipe is one of those simple ideas that ends up surprising everyone at the table. It's sweet, it's smoky, and that little kick of heat keeps people coming back for another piece.

I hope this becomes a regular part of your summer cookouts the way it has for ours. Let me know how it turns out for you!