Grilled Pineapple Spears are made with fresh pineapple and a brown sugar glaze, caramelized to perfection on the grill! This easy-to-make pineapple recipe is a delightful addition to your grilling repertoire and creates a delicious dessert or side dish that’s perfect for any summer cookout!
Table of Contents
Grilled pineapple is one of our favorite treats for its sweet and smoky flavor. It’s an excellent way to enjoy the natural sugars of the fruit, enhanced by a brown sugar and cinnamon glaze. This recipe is simple, with only a few ingredients, making it a quick and easy option for any occasion!
Whether you serve it as a side dish with chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, or as a standalone dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, grilled pineapple is sure to impress. The grill marks add a rustic appeal, and the sweet aroma will make your outdoor grill sessions even more enjoyable!
While you can totally grill pineapple without the extra additions of brown sugar and cinnamon, I love it this way for an extra special treat.
For more inventive ways to use up ripe pineapple, check out my recipes for Fresh Pineapple Salsa, Easy Pineapple Pie, Pineapple Casserole, Pineapple Ice Cream, and Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers with Pineapple Rings!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Grilled Pineapple Spears are a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a dessert, making them perfect for any meal!
- The combination of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter creates a delicious glaze that complements the natural sweetness of the pineapple.
- This recipe is easy to prepare, requiring only a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Pineapple – The star of the show, providing a sweet and juicy base.
- Salted Butter – Adds a rich flavor and helps to create a caramelized glaze.
- Brown Sugar – Enhances the sweetness and helps in caramelizing the pineapple.
- Ground Cinnamon – Adds a warm and aromatic touch to the dish.
- Honey – Optional, for drizzling on top for extra sweetness.
How to Make Grilled Pineapple Spears
- Prepare the pineapple. Slice about 1 inch off the top and bottom of the pineapple and discard. Stand the pineapple upright and trim off the outer peel. Slice the pineapple into spears, working around the core. Each spear should be 1 to 2 inches thick.
- Mix the spices. In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and brown sugar. Mix well.
- Marinate the pineapple. Lay the pineapple spears on a working surface. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the spears and massage it in. Let the pineapple marinate for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the butter mixture. Add the remaining brown sugar and cinnamon to the melted butter. Mix well.
- Grill the pineapple. Preheat the barbecue grill to medium-high heat (about 400 degrees). Clean the grill grates and lightly brush them with oil to prevent sticking. Once heated, place the pineapple slices on the hot grill. Grill for 6 minutes on one side, then flip and grill for another 6 minutes, basting with the remaining butter mixture throughout.
- Serve. Remove the pineapple from the grill and drizzle with honey if desired. Serve warm.
Recipe FAQ’s
Canned pineapple can be used, but fresh pineapple yields the best flavor and texture. For the easiest grilling, go for pineapple rings.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
You can prepare the pineapple spears and the brown sugar mixture in advance, but it’s best to grill them just before serving.
Feel free to experiment with other spices like nutmeg or a pinch of cayenne for a bit of heat.
Tips for Success
- Make sure to marinate the pineapple in the brown sugar mixture for at least 5 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Baste the pineapple spears frequently while grilling to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Preheat the grill to the right temperature and clean the grates well to prevent sticking.
What to Serve with Grilled Pineapple Spears
Grilled Pineapple Spears make a fantastic side dish for grilled meats like chicken breasts and pork tenderloin. They can also be served as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or nice cream. For a savory twist, pair them with cottage cheese or add them to a pineapple salsa.
Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness.
- Add nutmeg or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a different flavor profile.
- Drizzle with maple syrup instead of honey if you prefer.
- Skip the recipe entirely and just grill your pineapple spears right after cutting!
More Great Recipes for Grilling Season
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- Grilled Peach Salad
- Easy Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Burgers 101: How to Grill Burgers
- Sriracha Mayo Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops
- Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
- Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream
Grilled Pineapple Spears
Ingredients
- 1 large pineapple
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Honey to drizzle (optional)
Instructions
- With the pineapple lying on its side, slice about 1 inch off the top and bottom of the pineapple and discard. Stand the pineapple upright, trim the outer peel off, and discard. Slice the pineapple into spears from here, working around the core. Slice into 1 to 2-inch spears. Lay spears onto a working surface.1 large pineapple
- In a small bowl combine the cinnamon and brown sugar, and mix well. Sprinkle half of this mixture evenly over the sliced pineapple and massage the spices into the spears. Allow the pineapple to marinate in the spices for 5 minutes.½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ cup brown sugar
- Add the remaining brown sugar and cinnamon to the melted butter.¼ cup salted butter,
- Generously baste the pineapple with the melted butter mixture, being sure to coat all sides.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Allow it to come to 400°F. Be sure to clean grates and lightly brush oil to prevent any sticking.
- Once heated add the pineapple to the grill. Grill for 6 minutes on one side, flip, and grill for an additional 6 minutes on the other. Continue to baste with the remaining melted butter mixture as you grill.
- Remove from heat. Drizzle with additional honey if desired. Serve warm.Honey
Notes
- Grilled pineapple is best enjoyed immediately after grilling, warm. If you have any leftovers you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can enjoy them chilled, or reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- Grilled pineapple is a surprisingly versatile dish. You can easily serve alongside your favorite main dish such as burgers or grilled chicken. Alternatively you can serve grilled pineapple as a simple dessert. Top with your favorite ice cream for the ultimate treat!
- I would highly recommend keeping fresh pineapple as the main ingredient, as it’s the star of the show. From there you can easily alter the spices according to your taste. Feel free to swap the brown sugar for all honey if you prefer. You can add more cinnamon if you’d like, or even a pinch of cayenne if you enjoy a little heat.
- Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days.
- Freeze: Lay spears on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Microwave for 20-30 seconds or reheat on the grill or in a pan.
- Make Ahead: Prepare spears and spice mixture ahead of time; grill just before serving.
