Recipes

33 Pineapple Recipes That Taste Like Pure Sunshine

From cocktails to tacos and everything in between, these 27 pineapple recipes make us feel like the sun is always shining.
A platter of al pastor chicken garnished with cilantro and onions next to a plate of tortillas.
Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Shilpa Uskokovic

Few plants spark joy quite like a juicy pineapple. Hidden behind gnarled skin and crowned by spiky green leaves, you’ll have to work for it. But once you wrestle those uncooperative halves apart, the vibrant flesh instantly evokes sunshine-y vibes, ready to be the star of any fruit salad. Scroll through these pineapple recipes and you’ll realize she’s not just a pretty face; beyond the allure of its tropical flavor, the dramatic fruit is incredibly versatile.

Pineapple’s sweet, floral notes mesh with everyone, from pork chops and chicken thighs, to fish tacos and fried rice. And its natural acidity adds a zing to dessert recipes, like Pineapple Upside-Down Cake or and Baked Hawaiian Islands. Whether you’re seeking an appetizer that evokes a breezy day on the beach, a summer-y weeknight dinner, or a show-stopping cake recipe, pineapple is guaranteed to be a bright spot on your table. Close your eyes, listen to the waves crashing, and read on for our favorite pineapple recipes.

  • BrownSugarBraised Pineapple on a white plate that's on top of a white napkin and stone surface.
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by JoJo Li
    1/33

    Brown-Sugar-Braised Pineapple

    Knowing how to pick a ripe pineapple is a life skill up there with stain removal. But if you mess it up, don’t fear. This recipe will teach you how to coax maximum flavor from the anemic ones: Sizzle hunks until blackened, then give your pineapple a bath in a spiced brown sugar syrup.

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  • A piña colada in a plastic cup on the beach garnished with a maraschino cherry and a cocktail umbrella.
    Photo by Alex Lau
    2/33

    BA’s Best Piña Colada

    Forget hurricane glasses overflowing with a sticky-sweet concoction of sugary mixers and subpar booze. Freezing fresh pineapple is the secret to this sweet and flavorful piña colada recipe.

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  • Filipino pork adobo with pineapple from chef Louiie Victa
    Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by D'mytrek Brown
    3/33

    Pineapple Pork Adobo

    Adobo, a beloved and popular Filipino dish, is commonly made with chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy, and garlic. In this version, puréed and caramelized pineapple adds a fragrant touch while keeping things simple enough for a busy weeknight.

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  • Image may contain Food Pork Cutlery and Fork
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    4/33

    Pineapple-Glazed Ham

    We love the retro-chic look of a pineapple-glazed ham, maraschino cherries and all, but aren’t fans of the cloying sweetness. In this version, we spike the glaze with hot sauce and apple cider vinegar to cut through the sugar.

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  • Image may contain Food Bread and Cracker
    Photo by Alex Lau
    5/33

    Tropical Energy Bars

    Please kneel before the holy triumvirate of tropical flavors: dried pineapple, coconut, and macadamia nuts. These bars will fuel your hike while letting your mind drift off to a lazier place. You know, like a slack hammock swaying under some palm trees.

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  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Plant Curry and Bowl
    Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop stying by Nicole Louie
    6/33

    Chungdi Malai (Coconut Shrimp Curry)

    Coconut milk and shrimp are natural partners, rounded out with earthy ghee and a tapestry of spices. Though non-traditional, crushed pineapple, canned pineapple, or fresh pineapple chunks bring some welcome sweetness.

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  • InflammationBusting Pineapple Slushy recipe
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen
    7/33

    Pineapple Slushy

    This slushy is a wellness triple-threat thanks to the tart pineapple, earthy turmeric, and zippy ginger. Though, precisely no one will judge you if you top it off with a splash of white rum.

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  • Grilled Pineapple with honey on white plate
    Photograph by Joyce Lee, food styling by Brandon Gray, prop styling by Chloe Kirk
    8/33

    Grilled Pineapple With Pepper Honey and Yogurt

    Pineapple takes particularly well to being grilled, with blistery char marks playing nicely against the fruit’s bright, acidic flavor. Balance that with a swoosh of cold lime yogurt, a flurry of fresh cilantro, and black-pepper-spiked honey for a fresh dessert.

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  • Pineapple UpsideDown Cake recipe
    Photograph by Christopher Testani, Food styling by Victoria Granof, prop styling by Alex Brannian
    11/33

    Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

    The retro classic pineapple upside-down cake gets an instant upgrade with sophisticated, fruity Luxardo cherries. There’s no need to break down a whole pineapple here. This cake calls for canned pineapple rings, which are uniform in shape, always juicy, and never out of season.

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  • Image may contain Plant Fruit Food Pineapple and Fungus
    Alex Lau
    12/33

    Grill-Roasted Pineapple

    The smoky-sweet pineapple flesh can be scooped out to make pineapple salsa, which you’ll want to spoon over shortcakes, ice cream, grilled pork, chicken, or fish.

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  • Image may contain Food Egg and Custard
    Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriot
    13/33

    Chile-Lime-Pineapple Soda

    Sweet-sour pineapple and spicy peppers are the twin flames you didn’t know your seltzer needed. If you are a chile fan, you can sub in serranos or jalapeños for the chiles de árbol.

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  • This image may contain Food Bread Lunch Meal Dish Taco Supper Dinner and Pancake
    Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Judy Mancini
    14/33

    Fish Tacos al Pastor

    Smothered in a fresh pineapple salsa, fish tacos are the epitome of beachside eating. Now you can also have them at home, on the couch, while dreaming up your next trip. (Not in the mood to grill? Try our skillet salmon tacos with pineapple salsa instead.)

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  • This image may contain Plant Fruit Food Burger Ice Outdoors and Nature
    Alex Lau
    15/33

    Varadero Cooler

    Pineapple juice, a bottle of sparkling rosé, and rum make this the summer punch recipe you've been waiting for.

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  • Image may contain Drink Lemonade Beverage Cocktail and Alcohol
    Marcus Nilsson
    16/33

    Pineapple-Chile Limeade

    Chiles and pineapple are wildly refreshing in drink form. Come happy hour, add a shot of mezcal or rum to the sweet-spicy mix.

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  • Image may contain Animal Bird Poultry Fowl and Chicken
    Linda Xiao
    19/33

    Pan-Roasted Chicken with Pineapple-Chile Glaze

    Coming soon to a kitchen near you: an escapist fantasy set under the sun, starring spicy-fruity pineapple chicken. This recipe might change the way you look at pineapple forever.

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  • A platter of al pastor chicken garnished with cilantro and onions next to a plate of tortillas.
    Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Shilpa Uskokovic
    20/33

    Easy Chicken Al Pastor

    Fast-cooking chicken thighs and convenient canned chipotle chiles come together for this streamlined version of traditional al pastor.

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  • Image may contain Drink Cocktail Alcohol Beverage and Glass
    Alex Lau
    23/33

    Tepache Highball

    Tepache is a fermented pineapple liquor commonly sold by street vendors in parts of Mexico. Sweet, tart, and a little fizzy, it’s the perfect refresher on a hot day.

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  • Image may contain Human Person Steak and Food
    24/33

    Agave-Glazed Pork Belly with Grilled Pineapple

    You may have to make this dish the day before you serve, but the crispy succulent result—spiked with bites of juicy pineapple—is well worth the effort.

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  • Image may contain Lamp and Ice Pop
    27/33

    Pineapple Paletas

    These popsicles are the essence of summer: Sweetened and lime-laced juice is loaded with pieces of fresh fruit.

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  • Image may contain Creme Ice Cream Cream Food Dessert and Cake
    Anita Calero
    28/33

    Baked Hawaiian Islands

    Coconut, pineapple, passion fruit, and a rum-soaked sorbet lend a tropical twist to this eye-catching dessert. To save time, use store-bought pineapple sorbet.

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Ali is a writer and editor at Bon Appétit whose culture and lifestyle work includes reporting on the health claims behind fake meats, interviews with opinionated chefs about the evolution of restaurants, personal essays on the intersection of work and identity, and subtle attempts to propagate her favorite Australian foods. ... Read More
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