This grilled pineapple is a tasty treat! With a sweet brown sugar and rum glaze, each juicy slice is deliciously caramelized and perfect for summer cookouts.
I love serving this by itself or with ice cream on top. It’s a simple way to impress your guests—or just to enjoy a sweet snack while daydreaming on the porch! 🍍✨
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pineapple: Look for a ripe pineapple that’s fragrant and slightly soft to the touch. If pineapple isn’t available, mango or peaches can work as great substitutes – just make sure they’re firm enough for grilling.
Brown Sugar: The deep notes from brown sugar make this glaze rich. If you’re out, you can mix white sugar with a bit of molasses to mimic brown sugar’s flavor. Coconut sugar is another excellent alternative for a unique twist.
Dark Rum: While dark rum provides a warm flavor, you can swap it with spiced rum for an extra kick or use apple juice for a non-alcoholic version. The juice will add sweetness without the rum’s depth, so adjust the sugar if needed.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These spices add warmth to the glaze, but feel free to leave out the nutmeg if you don’t have it. Cardamom can also be a fun twist if you want something different.
Butter: Unsalted butter ensures you control the saltiness. If you want a dairy-free version, coconut oil or a plant-based butter works well too!
How Do I Achieve the Perfect Grilled Pineapple?
Grilling pineapple is easy but requires a little care to get those lovely grill marks and perfect tenderness. Here’s how to do it right:
- **Preheat the Grill**: Ensure your grill is hot enough. This helps caramelize the sugars quickly, preventing the pineapple from getting mushy.
- **Glaze the Rings**: A light brush of the brown sugar rum glaze before grilling gives fantastic flavor and helps achieve nice grill marks.
- **Watch the Time**: Grill the pineapple rings for about 3-4 minutes per side. Look for those beautiful char marks; that’s when they’re done.
- **Add More Glaze**: Brushing more glaze during the last minute of grilling amps up the flavor, making your grilled fruit truly special.
With these tips, you’ll have perfectly grilled pineapple every time! Enjoy it warm with ice cream – it’s a delightful summer treat.
The Best Grilled Pineapple With Brown Sugar Rum Glaze
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Grilled Pineapple:
- 1 ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced into rings
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Vanilla ice cream (for serving)
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious recipe takes about 10 minutes for preparation and around 8-10 minutes for grilling. In total, you’ll need about 20 minutes to have this tasty dessert ready to serve. Perfect for a warm, sunny day!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Grill:
Turn your grill on to medium-high heat. This will be the perfect temperature to get those lovely grill marks on your pineapple and caramelize the sugar.
2. Prepare the Glaze:
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, dark rum, ground cinnamon, nutmeg (if you’re using it), and butter. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until everything is mixed well and the sugar dissolves. Once it’s combined, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
3. Glaze the Pineapple:
Take a brush and lightly coat the pineapple rings with some of your brown sugar rum glaze. This will add flavor while they grill!
4. Grill the Pineapple:
Place the pineapple rings on the preheated grill. Grill them for about 3-4 minutes on each side. You want to see nice grill marks and have the pineapple become tender and juicy.
5. Enhance the Flavor:
In the last minute of grilling, brush the pineapple rings with more of the glaze. This step intensifies the flavor and makes them even more delicious!
6. Serve It Up:
Once grilled, take the pineapple rings off the grill and place them on a plate. They’re ready to be dressed up!
7. Add Ice Cream and Drizzle:
Serve the warm grilled pineapple with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Drizzle any leftover glaze over the ice cream for that extra sweetness.
8. Garnish and Enjoy!
Top it off with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness. Dig in and enjoy this delectable summer dessert!
Can I Use Canned Pineapple Instead of Fresh?
Yes, you can use canned pineapple rings, but fresh pineapple is recommended for the best flavor and texture. If you opt for canned, make sure to drain them well and pat them dry to avoid excess moisture on the grill.
What If I Don’t Have Dark Rum?
No worries! You can substitute dark rum with any other type of rum you have on hand, including light rum or even a splash of whiskey for a different twist. Just keep in mind that it will slightly alter the flavor profile.
How Should I Store Leftover Grilled Pineapple?
Store any leftover grilled pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can place them on a hot grill or in a skillet for a minute to warm them up again while retaining that delicious char.
Can I Add Other Spices to the Glaze?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with your spice choices. You can add a pinch of ginger, a dash of cayenne for some heat, or even a splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor. Just adjust the quantities to suit your taste!
