30 Pineapple Recipes That Are Packed With Flavor

Fresh pineapple, once considered the peak of luxury, is undoubtedly a delightful treat on its own. While we would be perfectly happy to munch on spears of the juicy fresh fruit, there are so many ways to incorporate its vibrant flavor into other recipes. The natural sweetness and acidity of pineapples make them perfect for both desserts and savory dishes. From elegant appetizers to easy dinners, there are so many ways to use up fresh pineapple before it’s too late. If the temperature is too hot to turn on the oven, consider crafting refreshing beverages or no-cook desserts. No matter what you choose, make sure you’ve mastering the art of cutting a pineapple, as a well-prepped fruit can elevate the final outcome of your dish. Whichever recipe you choose, the pineapple is sure to be the star. Just take this recipe, for example; tender chicken pieces are coated with a rich, flavorful sauce made from pineapple juice, soy sauce, hoisin, brown sugar and garlic. Cooked to a thick syrup consistency and served atop rice that's garnished with diced pineapple, it offers a nice balance of savory and sweet—all while letting the fruit shine.

Tender, buttery dough wraps around sweet, sticky pineapple filling in these tasty Taiwanese cakes often gifted and enjoyed during the Lunar New Year, but also found year-round. The filling is made from crushed pineapple that's cooked down with sugar until thick and jammy. The shortbread-like dough is then wrapped tightly around the filling and pressed into traditional molds, then baked until just golden.

Sweet, salty, and just a bit indulgent—this pineapple casserole is a Southern classic. The tart and sweet pineapple combines with buttery crackers and sharp Cheddar cheese for a dish that’s utterly delightful.

Don't let the lack of dairy in this nice cream fool you—the creamy canned coconut cream gives this sweet frozen (and vegan!) treat its creamy taste and texture.

Do you love pineapple and ham on pizza? This fried rice has that same sweet-and-salty flavor, plus it's served in a clever pineapple boat. Grab and fork and share with your family.

This spicy pineapple margarita tantalizes the taste buds by combining the charred flavors of grilled pineapple and Fresno chile with the classic ingredients of a margarita. Once shaken to perfection, it's served in salt-rimmed glasses and garnished with a lime wheel, providing a harmonious blend of heat, sweetness and tart citrus.

The pineapple upside-down cake, a quintessential American dessert since the 1950s, captures the essence of nostalgic baking. This particular recipe rejuvenates the classic by emphasizing the caramelized pineapple base, which, when inverted, presents a beautifully glazed topping over a moist cake.

While there is one kind of kimchi that is most common, the name really refers a process which can be used on all kinds of fruit and vegetables. Not only does making pineapple kimchi preserve the fruit for later, it also adds a spicy, fermented flavor that’s so delicious it has to be tasted to be understood.

We channeled the flavors of al pastor in our seasonings for this chicken that roast standing upright on the core of a pineapple—you get even cooking all around and the spices play to the sweet juicy fruit's taste. The trickiest part of this dish is making sure you cut the pineapple base flat, so the chicken doesn’t tip over once it begins to cook. If it does, you can prop the bird up on the grill with a brick or other heatproof anchor.

The combination of canned and dried pineapple in the topping not only doubles down on flavor, it provides extra texture to contrast with the soft and creamy cheesecake filling.

This nostalgic stuffing is almost like dessert that can be enjoyed during the meal (and after if you want). We’ve added a little vanilla here since it pairs well with the pineapple and is especially great with ham, balancing the sweet with the savory.

These pineapple bacon shrimp bites are a delightful fusion of flavors, pairing the sweetness of pineapple with savory shrimp and crispy bacon. By nesting a chunk of pineapple in the curve of a jumbo shrimp, then wrapping it in bacon, it creates a bite-sized treat secured with a wooden toothpick—perfect for a cocktail party or backyard barbecue. These bites are then pan-seared to perfection, ensuring a crisp bacon exterior and succulent shrimp within.

What fun to slice into a whole fresh pineapple and discover homemade pineapple ice cream inside! Not to mention the ice cream is “no-churn,” meaning no ice cream machine required. Serve as is or dip the edges in toasted coconut for a sweet, summery treat.

These pineapple skewers offer a blend of succulent pork tenderloin, juicy pineapple chunks, and red onion, all grilled to perfection and brushed with a soy-agave glaze. Once charred and glazed, the skewers are garnished with toasted sesame seeds, adding a nutty finish to this tantalizing grilled treat that goes well with steamed rice or a mixed green salad.

A good sauce can elevate a weeknight dinner from boring to memorable without much extra effort. This spicy pineapple salsa takes just a few minutes to throw together but tastes amazing on grilled meat, fish, or vegetables.

These pineapple and chicken tacos combine the succulent flavors of chicken thighs cooked in a mixture of pineapple juice, hot sauce, and honey mixture. Topped with a tangy broccoli slaw dressed in a chipotle mayo-lime mix, fresh pineapple wedges, and cilantro, these are a great way to shake up your dinner rotation.

This elegant yet incredibly easy preparation uses almost all the parts of a pineapple to yield tasty fillets of bass or snapper. The pineapple's peel acts as a buffer against the direct heat of the grill, preventing overcooking and keeping the fish moist, and its flesh becomes a tasty salsa that brings home the island flavors. The plating of the fish, right on the pineapple "planks," is dramatic and fun.

This simple grilled pineapple recipe brings out the fruit's natural sugars by grilling wedges until they're charred and caramelized. After grilling, drizzle the pineapple with honey for an added touch of sweetness, making it a perfect summer treat.

Ham dressed in pineapple rings and maraschino cherries is a holiday classic, burnished with a glossy glaze made with pineapple juice, honey and brown sugar. If you like sweet and salty, you'll love this showstopping centerpiece!

This pineapple sherbet is a refreshing blend of fresh diced pineapple, sugar, zesty lemon juice and zest, and creamy low-fat buttermilk. After a simple stovetop prep, the mixture is pureed to a smooth consistency and then frozen to achieve the perfect sherbet texture, promising a delightful frozen treat.

These pineapple crostini feature crispy baguette slices topped with creamy ricotta (or cottage, if you prefer) cheese and a vibrant mixture of diced fresh pineapple, honey, fresh mint, and a hint of orange zest. The combination creates a delightful balance of textures and flavors, making them a refreshing and elegant appetizer for any occasion.

Before they even taste this salty-sweet mashup, your guests will be circling the grill thanks to the irresistible aroma of slow-cooking bacon and pineapple. The barbecue pork ribs tucked inside become tender as they braise in their own juices. Served sliced across the middle, the swineapple is a sight to behold.

A classic pineapple salsa is an essential addition to any recipe book. The fresh and spicy flavor goes well with grilled fish, shrimp tacos, or scoop it up with tortilla chips.

Tamarind spiced with coriander is simmered into a rich syrup, making it a true delight in this juicy no-alcohol drink. Fresh pineapple and coconut water add to the tropical cocktail-like vibes. It’s best enjoyed reclining at the beach or just pretending you're at one.

Haupia is a traditional Hawaiian dessert made with fresh coconut milk and cornstarch. This one incorporates fresh chopped pineapple to create a delightfully cool and refreshing treat.

This hasselback pineapple baked ham is a delightful centerpiece, marrying the savory flavors of a fully cooked bone-in ham with the tropical sweetness of pineapple and tang of orange slices, all accentuated by a buttery dijon and thyme spread. After an initial roasting, the ham is glazed with a spicy hot pepper jelly-mustard mixture and returned to the oven to achieve a caramelized, glossy finish.

Pineapple rugelach offers a tropical twist on the classic pastry, using dried pineapple chunks and pineapple preserves to infuse the treat with sweet, tangy flavors. This variation is particularly handy for those times when fresh pineapple isn't available, ensuring you can still enjoy a pineapple-infused delight without compromising on taste.

If Duff Goldman is recommending a dessert that isn’t cake, we tend to listen. This sundae recipe has spears of grilled pineapple paired with toasted coconut, mascarpone cream, and chocolate fudge sauce.

While pineapple tastes great served raw, a quick turn on a grill can concentrate the flavors even further. Brush it with a spiced rum and brown sugar glaze for dessert that you can serve with ice cream or enjoy straight-up.