by Alyssa Rivers
Caramelized Brown Sugar Cinnamon Grilled Pineapple
Pineapple Ingredients:
When I tell you that this is one of the best sides that you will grill this summer, it is no joke! It goes great with anything that you will grill and it will be the talk of the barbecue. I know that you will love this just as much as we did. It is truly a five star recipe!
- Pineapple: The main ingredient turned into something spectacular.
- Brown Sugar: Sweeten the sauce with brown sugar.
- Butter: Melting the butter will help spread the glaze evenly.
- Cinnamon: Adds a little sweetness with a hint of spice. Sprinkle some cinnamon overtop of the spears as well as adding it to the glaze.
How to Grill Pineapple:
The sauce is incredible. It is a buttery brown sugar cinnamon glaze. When the pineapple cooks on the grill, the sauce caramelizes and becomes absolutely incredible on top of these! The pineapple stays juicy and grills to perfection. You will be amazed with your first bite!
- Making the caramelized glaze: Lay the pineapple spears on a pan. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Whisk together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. (If it seems thick, I always put it in the microwave for a few seconds so that it can easily pour on top of the pineapple.)
- With a brush: Spread on top of the pineapple.
- Grilling pineapple: Grill for about 7-10 minutes or until it is starting to turn golden brown. I always like to brush the excess sauce from the pan back on top of the pineapple before serving.
The Recipe Critic Pro Tip:
Spray or wipe the grill before oil or use a grill pan to cook the pineapple on the grill.
Variations of Glaze:
It is always fun to try new things and with pineapple it makes it even more delicious. Try these amazing flavors that also compliment the grilled pineapple.
- Honey: Substitute the brown sugar for honey for a sweeter glaze or even half brown sugar and half honey.
- Spicy: Add a little spice with chili powder or cayenne pepper in the glaze.
- Coconut and Fruit Juice: This is a citrus favorite. Use lime, orange or lemon juice to infuse the pineapple with a bold citrusy flavor.
What to Serve with Grilled Pineapple:
This grilled pineapple is perfect as a side dish, adding it to salads or salsa. This pineapple tastes delicious once grilled and can be served so many ways.
- Appetizer: Add some extra flavor to this pineapple cheese ball
- Side Dish: Pineapple is sweet and subtle for any home cooked meal like this honey lime ginger pork or grilled flank steak.
- Salad: This grilled mango and pineapple salad is perfect for adding in grilled pineapple.
- Burger or Sandwich: Most burgers or sandwiches taste better with a citrus pineapple slice that is grilled up.
- Salsa: Chop up the pineapple spears and add in some extra flavors to your salsa.
- Topping: Pineapple topping with various ingredients added on top of steak, pork or chicken makes a great topping.
- Stir Fry: Cook some rice and vegetables and add in grilled pineapple chunks for more sweet and citrusy texture and taste.
More Ways to Enjoy Pineapple:
Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits in the summer. Try these delicious recipes with pineapple this summertime.
Caramelized Brown Sugar Cinnamon Grilled Pineapple
Pineapple spears that get coated in a buttery brown sugar cinnamon glaze and caramelize on the grill! This will be one of the most amazing sides that you grill this summer!
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple cut into spears
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
Instructions
Grill for about 7-10 minutes or until it is starting to turn golden brown. I always like to brush the excess sauce from the pan back on top of the pineapple before serving.
Recipe Notes
Updated on May 9, 2020
Originally Posted on June 4, 2012
Yummy! Do I have to share?
Just what I needed for Father’s Day!
This makes it sounds like you have to cook this in a pan on the grill? I’ve never cooked in a pan on the grill … though I have used foil.
Nope. The spears are put directly on the grill. And turn them once. 🙂
THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT. I THOUGHT THE SAME THING.
Made last weekend! The cinnamon smelled wonderful while grilling! Smell brought neighbors out to find out what smelled so good! Shared all around! Neighbors and family agreed “Best pineapple they ever ate!” Big hit!
Note: I cut the pineapple into 1/2 thick rings and marinated them in the sugar/cinnamon for about an hour before grilling. Pics on my FB page!
Do you turn the spears or just grill one side?
I turn them once. 🙂
What do you mean for 1 t cinnamon, is that tsp or tbsp?
teaspoon. 🙂
Usually in a recipe the small “t” represents teaspoons and an uppercase “T”
represents tablespoons.
Whooohoo! You wrote down so many exclamation marks that I just HAVE to make this come camping week (oh, in southern France. But they’ll eat it as a side to their grilled snails.)!
!!!!
😉
I’m going to try this for new year’s eve grill all the way in Cairo! thanks for sharing and wish me luck!
I just found this on Pinterest. HOLY MOLY!!!!! This is awesome. This is going to be a regular on the menu at my house
These look delicious!!!!!
I don’t have a grill. I’d really like to make these pineapple spears. Could I use a pan on my stove?
Same here…wished your ? got answered would love to try it…
I think certainly this could be done. In fact, I use the side burner on my grill to get them started. Melt the butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar together in a large frying pan, then add the spears and get them cooking. I finish them on the grill to get the char marks, but you certainly wouldn’t have to. Just cook till glazed and tender. Another thing I’ve done is use the leftover liquid to mix with rice. Delicious!
Nothing can compare to grilling but broiling is a close second.
Do you have a good recipe for Honey Walnut Shrimp? The version from Panda Express is a little bland for my tastes.
Yes! You will love this one here. https://therecipecritic.com/honey-walnut-shrimp/
Have you ever tried coconut oil instead of the butter?
Yes! Pure coconut oil, brown sugar and toasted coconut flakes sprinkled on after grilling or pan searing. The best with grilled shrimp and Jasmine rice
Question: Has anyone ever tried this recipe over a campfire? I am supposed to take an appetizer for our camping trip this weekend, and this looked fun! Trying to decide whether the campfire flavor would go with the pineapple or not.. ?
So excited to try this tonight with your Huli Huli grilled chicken. Busy quarantining and trying new recipes because what else are we gonna do?? It all looks and sounds delicious!
Hi Alyssa, This looks so interesting & tempting… Would like to know if you use salted or unsalted butter. Planning to cook these on my daughter’s bday.
I usually do unsalted butter for cooking but with these salted butter would be just as great! Hope that helps! Happy birthday to your daughter! XOXO
Book club loved this. I added a coconut rum sauce to dip in or drizzle, but it really didn’t need it.
By the wsy, made it in an iron grill pan, but would be easier on a real grill as sugar tends to burn. I made it just before it started to burn in the slats, but still had the marks. It had started to rain, and I was all resdy to go to book club and hubs was not home yet to ho out and get messed up in the weather for me! Still tasted great, just be very csreful. You could try broiling, just no marks.
That sounds great! I am so glad they enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing! XOXO
Can you bake or broil the pineapple?? I don’t have a grill and would love to try this.
Yes, baking would be great! I did have a comment that said they used a griddle to cook their pineapple on. There are a couple options for you if you would like. Hope that helps and you can enjoys these!! XOXO
how about using a grill pan? then you’d get the grill marks and can cook them inside.
It would be nice to have the nutrition info. Thanks
I like to use myfitnesspal.com or skinny taste.com for any nutritional information I have questions on. Thanks so much for following along with me! XOXO
Love your recipes
I wish I had seen this recipe sooner because these would be a great accompaniment to my Easter ham dinner!
Does this have to be served right off the grill? Having a graduation party and will need a couple batches.
Oh no, not at all. Wrap it in some tinfoil or keep it in the oven on low to keep warm and it will be great! Happy Graduation Day!!
Another good dish. Kinda tastes like apple pie
What about using pineapple juice instead of butter?
Can this be made in the oven? At what temp and for how long?
They can be but you will not get the real taste of it all and the grill marks from the oven. You would bake them on a sheet pan for 10 minutes rotating them so they don’t dry out. Again, it won’t be the same or taste the same as a grill for this recipe. Enjoy your pineapple!! XOXO
Yuppers I am DOWN with this. Gonna give it a try. Looks awesome! Thanks.
Looks great! What is the nutritional info?
I like to use skinnytaste.com or myfitnesspal.com for any nutritional information. Hope that helps and you can find what you are looking for. XOXO
What is the nutritional info on the grilled pineapple?
I like to use myfitnesspal.com or skinnytaste.com for any nutritional information. Hope that helps and you are able to find what you are looking for. XOXO
Is “T” a tablespoon or Teaspoon???
Yes, T is a tablespoon and t is a teaspoon. Hope that helps! XOXO
Hi. Have you ever made ahead for a party? Can you store in fridge and eat cold or at room temp? I’m asking about the grilled pineapple.
I have never made it ahead but I would recommend making it the same day. You are able to make quite a lot at one time if needed. It is best fresh off the grill.
Alyssa, I just made grilled Pineapple on my Traeger grill and they are the best tasting fruit we have ever had. Had some left over and put them in the fridge until the next day. Served them cold and my wife thought tasted better cold than right off the grill. I must say I agreed with her.
Can this be prepared the night before.
Yes, that is a great idea. You can “marinate” the pineapple the night before. That will taste delicious! Enjoy and thanks for following along with me! XOXO
Do yo cook the pineapple Spears directly on the grill or do you but the pan on the grill and cook it in the pan?
Yes, yes, yes! haha! It works either way! I like to either have them on a pan and cook over a grill but grilling them directly on the grill gets the best grill marks and taste. Also, wrapping them in a foil and putting them on the grill is great too and not as messy of a clean up. Hope you enjoy your pineapple! XOXO
Woooow…..Homemade!!! It’s the only thing that taste good! And so easy to do…
I think I will look for these and try your recipe this weekend. Thank you for sharing!
Dang Thai from Embeya !
I seldom leave a review, but this grilled pineapple is to die for! I’m taking it to a family dinner tomorrow.