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Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple
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This brown sugar grilled pineapple is bound to be one of the most amazing sides that you grill this year. The naturally sweet pineapple gets an extra boost from the brown sugar glaze, and the addition of the cayenne pepper helps balance the sweetness with a touch of smoky heat.
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Marinated in a simple mixture of brown sugar and smoky cayenne pepper, this brown sugar grilled pineapple is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to cook this tropical fruit. This juicy pineapple is the perfect addition to any grilled meal.
Brown sugar grilled pineapple is best served warm or at room temperature. However, this pineapple can also be served cold on top of a salad.
Sweetened with a delicious brown sugar glaze, you will love how easy it is to make and how well the amazing pineapple flavor comes through once grilled. This brown sugar grilled pineapple is a sweet side dish for all your grilled meals.
Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple Ingredients
- Pineapple - fresh pineapple
- Sugar - light brown sugar
- Cayenne pepper
- Vanilla - vanilla extract
- Salt - kosher salt
- Oil - vegetable oil spray, for the grill
You can buy a pre-peeled and cored whole ripe pineapple from your grocery store's produce department. This will significantly reduce your prep time as the pineapple prep takes a lot of time in this recipe.
You can cut the pineapple into rings instead of spears. Just be sure not to cut the slices of pineapple too thinly, or they will fall apart when grilling. If you don’t have an indoor grill pan, you can grill this outdoors. Use grill plates if your grill grates are too far apart for the small pineapple spears.
Dark brown sugar can be substituted for light brown sugar for a deeper molasses-like flavor on your grilled pineapple. For a bigger kick, you can use a dash of sriracha or regular hot sauce. You could also use guajillo or ancho chili powder instead of the cayenne pepper. If you don’t like spice, you can leave out the cayenne pepper entirely.
How to Make Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple
FIRST STEP: Place the pineapple in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the brown sugar, cayenne, vanilla extract, and salt. Toss to combine.
SECOND STEP: Cover the pineapple with plastic wrap and let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature. You can also place the pineapple in the refrigerator to marinate overnight. You will have a few tablespoons of liquid in the bottom of your bowl. Do not discard it.

THIRD STEP: Preheat your grill pan over high heat and spray with cooking spray just before adding the pineapple.
FOURTH STEP: Grill the pineapple for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
FIFTH STEP: While the pineapple is grilling, place the excess marinade liquid in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 90 seconds or until bubbly and syrupy. Set aside.
SIXTH STEP: Remove the grilled pineapple to the serving platter and drizzle it with the excess marinade syrup just before serving.
Can I make this on an outdoor grill?
You can make this simple recipe on an outdoor grill or even on a griddle like a Blackstone if you don’t have an indoor grill pan.
Can I freeze grilled pineapple?
This recipe is best served fresh. We don’t recommend freezing it, or the pineapple will become mushy. Leftover pineapple can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How do I keep the pineapple from sticking to the grill?
Spray your grill with nonstick cooking spray or brush it with olive oil to prevent the pineapple from sticking.
How to Store Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple
IN THE FRIDGE: Leftovers of this delicious pineapple can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
IN THE FREEZER: This recipe is best made fresh, and we don’t recommend freezing it.

Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple
Ingredients
- 1 fresh pineapple peeled, cored, and cut into 8 spears
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- vegetable oil spray for the grill
Instructions
- Place the pineapple in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the brown sugar, cayenne, vanilla extract, and salt. Toss to combine.
- Cover the pineapple with plastic wrap and let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature. You can also place the pineapple in the refrigerator to marinate overnight. You will have a few tablespoons of liquid in the bottom of your bowl. Do not discard it.
- Preheat your grill pan over high heat and spray with cooking spray just before adding the pineapple.
- Grill the pineapple for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
- While the pineapple is grilling, place the excess marinade liquid in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 90 seconds or until bubbly and syrupy. Set aside.
- Remove the grilled pineapple to the serving platter and drizzle it with the excess marinade syrup just before serving.
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