Grilled Pineapple {Good for Summer time Salads!}

There are a number of meals that immediately make dinner really feel like summer time, and grilled pineapple is excessive on that record. It goes from “simply fruit” to smoky, shiny, and calmly charred in minutes, and everybody magically wanders into the kitchen asking what smells so good.

I hold this one tremendous easy: thick slices, brown sugar rubbed on (so it melts into slightly caramel coating), and flaky sea salt on the finish. That salt is just not non-compulsory in my home. It makes the pineapple style sweeter and extra pineapple-y, if that is smart!

And when you’ve bought it, you possibly can take it in a bunch of instructions: dessert with vanilla ice cream, chopped into salsa for tacos, piled on burgers, or tossed right into a salad for sweet-savory crunch.

Earlier than You Get Began

Right here’s what to know earlier than you hearth up the grill so every part goes easily.

• Choose a ripe pineapple: Scent the bottom. If it smells candy and tropical, you’re good. If it smells fermented or funky, it’s previous its prime.
• Slice it thick: Purpose for 1/2 to three/4 inch slices so that they don’t flop round or collapse on the grates.
• Core alternative: The core is edible, simply firmer and extra fibrous. If you need “dessert vibes,” take away it. If you happen to don’t thoughts slightly chew, depart it in.
• Oil the grates: Clear grates plus a fast oiling helps stop sticking and retains the pineapple intact while you flip.

Methods to Make Grilled Pineapple

Right here’s the easy movement. You’ll be shocked how shortly it’s executed!

1. Preheat The Grill

Warmth the grill to medium-high. Clear the grates nicely and calmly oil them so the pineapple releases simply.

Professional tip: In case your grill runs scorching, lean nearer to medium. Pineapple goes from caramelized to scorched quick.

2. Prep And Slice The Pineapple

Minimize off the highest and backside, stand it up, and slice away the peel. Minimize into 1/2 to three/4-inch slices (rounds or half-moons each work).

Professional tip: If you happen to’re doing rings and you’ve got a pineapple corer, it makes the “fairly rounds” very easy.

3. Sugar The Pineapple

Rub brown sugar all around the slices and allow them to sit for a minimum of 10 minutes. This helps the sugar dissolve a bit and cling higher.

Professional tip: Put the slices on a plate or sheet pan so that you don’t lose any of that sugary goodness.

4. Grill Till Charred And Tender

Grill 2 to 4 minutes per aspect, flipping as soon as, till you see deep grill marks and the pineapple is golden on the edges.

Professional tip: Wait to flip till the pineapple lifts simply. If it’s sticking, it wants one other 30 to 60 seconds.

5. End With Flaky Sea Salt

Sprinkle with flaky sea salt proper when it comes off the grill so it sticks.

Professional tip: Begin mild. You may at all times add extra on the desk.

Grill Pan Methodology

No out of doors grill? Completely high quality.

Warmth a grill pan over medium-high warmth and brush it calmly with oil. Prepare dinner the pineapple 2 to 4 minutes per aspect till you get good char marks, and the slices look shiny and caramelized.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

Just a few little particulars that make this come out precisely the way you need it.

• Hold the slices even: Even thickness means the entire batch finishes collectively as a substitute of some slices turning mushy whereas others are nonetheless pale.
• Don’t transfer them round: Let the pineapple sit so it truly sears and types grill marks. If you happen to fuss with it, it steams.
• Go sweet-spicy: Add a pinch of Tajín, cayenne, or chili powder earlier than grilling for slightly warmth with the caramelized sugar.
• Attempt a heat spice: A dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg is nice when you’re serving it for dessert. For a savory software, take into account sprinkling the pineapple with some curry powder. The earthy, savory notes of the curry powder are actually good with pineapple!
• Brush on BBQ sauce: If you happen to’re utilizing it with grilled rooster or pork, BBQ sauce turns it right into a sticky, smoky topping state of affairs.
• Asian flavors: If you happen to plan on utilizing these pineapples alongside an Asian-inspired dish, take into account drizzling the pineapples with a little bit of soy sauce earlier than putting them on the grill. Sriracha is nice as nicely. Then sprinkle with sesame seeds after they come off the grill.
• Make “cocktail pineapple”: Brush with slightly coconut rum earlier than grilling if you would like a enjoyable grownup model (hold it mild so it doesn’t burn).
• Meal-prep transfer: Grill further, then chop and stash for fast tacos, rice bowls, or salads through the week.
• Deal with gently: These caramelized edges could make the slices extra delicate, so use a large spatula for flipping.

Serving Concepts

That is the place grilled pineapple actually shines. Listed here are my favourite methods to make use of it.