Mix up your summer BBQ with this easy Sweet and Spicy Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon. This easy grilled pineapple side dish takes minutes to make and is a really special addition to any grilled meats or vegetables.
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A Healthier Brazilian Grilled Pineapple
If you’ve ever grilled fruit, you know how the light charring can amplify the natural sweetness of the fruit. The slight smokiness also gives it a savoury spin.
Pineapple is my favorite fruit to grill. Add some cinnamon, and it’s dessert all on it’s own.
In Brazilian steakhouses, pineapple is often served grilled with brown sugar and cinnamon. I don’t see the need! Pineapple already is sweet and cinnamon pulls it out even more.
I add some variations to this dish down below, but I love adding a sweet and spicy spin with some hot sauce, lime juice, and toasty sesame oil.
However you choose to season your pineapple recipe, it will be a hit at your next BBQ!
What You’ll Need
- Fresh Pineapple (a ripe pineapple will smell sweet at its base. One that has no pronounced smell needs to ripen at room temperature for a couple of days.)
- Sesame Oil
- Lime Juice
- Sriracha (or other hot sauce, optional!)
- Ground Cinnamon
How to Grill Pineapple
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients.
Step 2: Use a sharp knife to cut the pineapple, removing the outer rind and the inner core, into long spears about 1 inch thick. *Alternatively cut the pineapple into pineapple rings, using a metal round cookie cutter to remove the core.
Step 3: Brush the thick pineapple slices with the oil and cinnamon mixture.
Step 4: Add the pineapple to a preheated gas grill over medium-high heat. Leave the pineapple alone on the grill grates, being careful not to move it so it has time to char the pineapple and leave beautiful grill marks. Once the pineapple is done on one side (about 3 minutes), flip the pineapple and char the other side for about 2 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with lime wedges and cilantro if desired.
How Long to Grill Pineapple
I love serving grilled pineapple at gatherings for 2 reasons. One, it’s special and unexpected at a BBQ, so everyone is always thrilled to see it. Two, it takes minutes to prepare, great when you’re busy doing tons of other things.
Pineapple doesn’t take long to grill. It will soften and become mushy if grilled too long, so be sure the grill is very hot before adding it on.
Once it’s seasoned, add it to a very hot grill until grill marks appear (about 2-3 minutes per side).
How to Grill Pineapple in the Oven
To make grilled pineapple in the oven:
Step 1: Preheat oven to Broil. Prepare a sheet pan with a silicone liner, or place pineapple straight onto the pan. Do not use parchment paper – it will catch on fire.
Step 2: Mix together the oil and seasonings. It’s okay to grill the pineapple plain, or use one of the seasoning variations listed below.
Step 3: Brush the pineapple with the oil and seasonings.
Step 4: Broil the slices of pineapple for 4-5 minutes, until it’s slightly charred. Flip the pineapple over and broil the other side for about 4 minutes until charring occurs.
*This recipe can also be made in a grill pan! Add the seasoned pineapple to a grill pan over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
Variations
Classic Brazillian Pineapple: Instead of the seasoning mixture in the recipe card, use 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (or brown sugar), and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
Simple Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon: How to grill pineapple with the most simple ingredients? Use 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to season the pineapple.
Plain Grilled Pineapple: It’s delicious all on it’s own! Either spray the grill with avocado oil cooking spray, or lightly brush the pineapple with avocado oil to prevent it from sticking to the grill.
Grilled Pineapple Dessert: Juicy grilled pineapple makes the perfect dessert! Use Brazillian grilled pineapple or Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon and serve with scoop of vanilla ice cream or this vanilla protein ice cream.
Other Grilled Side Dish Recipes
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Sweet and Spicy Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple cut into wedges
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce Frank’s Red Hot, Cholula or Sriracha, to taste
- cinnamon to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
- cilantro chopped, to garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a small dish, mix together sesame oil, lime juice, and hot sauce. Brush the pineapple with the mixture.
- Sprinkle both sides of the pineapple with cinnamon.
- On a very hot grill, grill pineapple wedges for 3-4 minutes on each side, just long enough to get a little color.
- Optionally, squeeze fresh lime on top and garnish with cilantro.
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