Name: Grilled Pineapple With Buttery Lime Glaze recipe
Ingredients: Fresh Pineapple: The star of the show, of course, is a fresh, ripe pineapple. You’ll need one medium-sized pineapple for this recipe. Choosing a ripe pineapple is key to achieving the best flavor and sweetness. Look for a pineapple that is fragrant at the base, yields slightly to gentle pressure, and has a golden-yellow hue. Avoid pineapples that are green, hard, or have a fermented smell. A ripe pineapple will be juicy and naturally sweet, which is essential for caramelization on the grill. While canned pineapple rings or chunks might seem like a shortcut, fresh pineapple is highly recommended for grilling as it holds its shape better and has a superior flavor and texture.; Unsalted Butter: Butter is the foundation of our luxurious lime glaze, adding richness, flavor, and a beautiful sheen to the grilled pineapple. You’ll need 4 tablespoons (½ stick) of unsalted butter. Unsalted butter is preferred over salted butter in baking and dessert recipes, as it allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. Using salted butter might result in a glaze that is too salty, especially when combined with the natural sweetness of the pineapple. For an even richer flavor, consider using European-style butter, which has a higher fat content. For a dairy-free version, you can substitute with a good quality plant-based butter alternative that is designed for baking and cooking.; Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice provides the essential tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the pineapple and the richness of the butter. You’ll need the juice of 2 limes, which typically yields about 3-4 tablespoons of lime juice. Fresh lime juice is crucial for the vibrant, bright flavor that complements the grilled pineapple so well. Bottled lime juice can be used in a pinch, but it often lacks the fresh, zesty aroma and flavor of freshly squeezed juice. If possible, always opt for fresh limes. The acidity of the lime juice also helps to tenderize the pineapple slightly and balance the sweetness.; Lime Zest: To amplify the lime flavor and add an extra layer of aromatic citrus notes, we incorporate lime zest. You’ll need the zest of 1 lime. Lime zest is the grated outer skin of the lime, and it contains concentrated citrus oils that are packed with flavor. Use a microplane or a fine grater to zest the lime, being careful to only grate the green part of the rind and avoid the bitter white pith underneath. The lime zest adds a fragrant, zesty dimension to the glaze that elevates the overall flavor profile.; Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness, depth of flavor, and helps create a beautiful caramelized glaze on the grilled pineapple. You’ll need ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar. Light brown sugar is preferred for its molasses notes, which complement the tropical flavors of the pineapple and lime. Packed brown sugar means firmly pressing the brown sugar into the measuring cup when measuring. You can use dark brown sugar for a richer, more intense molasses flavor, but light brown sugar provides a more balanced sweetness in this recipe. The brown sugar caramelizes beautifully on the grill, creating a slightly sticky, glossy glaze that is utterly delicious.; Optional: Spiced Rum or Coconut Rum (for adults): For an extra layer of flavor and warmth, especially if serving this dessert at an adult gathering, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of spiced rum or coconut rum to the glaze. Rum adds a subtle boozy kick and enhances the tropical notes of the dish. Spiced rum will add warm spice notes, while coconut rum will amplify the tropical sweetness. This ingredient is entirely optional and can be omitted if you prefer a non-alcoholic version or are serving to children.

Ingredients

Fresh Pineapple: The star of the show, of course, is a fresh, ripe pineapple. You’ll need one medium-sized pineapple for this recipe. Choosing a ripe pineapple is key to achieving the best flavor and sweetness. Look for a pineapple that is fragrant at the base, yields slightly to gentle pressure, and has a golden-yellow hue. Avoid pineapples that are green, hard, or have a fermented smell. A ripe pineapple will be juicy and naturally sweet, which is essential for caramelization on the grill. While canned pineapple rings or chunks might seem like a shortcut, fresh pineapple is highly recommended for grilling as it holds its shape better and has a superior flavor and texture.

Unsalted Butter: Butter is the foundation of our luxurious lime glaze, adding richness, flavor, and a beautiful sheen to the grilled pineapple. You’ll need 4 tablespoons (½ stick) of unsalted butter. Unsalted butter is preferred over salted butter in baking and dessert recipes, as it allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. Using salted butter might result in a glaze that is too salty, especially when combined with the natural sweetness of the pineapple. For an even richer flavor, consider using European-style butter, which has a higher fat content. For a dairy-free version, you can substitute with a good quality plant-based butter alternative that is designed for baking and cooking.

Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice provides the essential tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the pineapple and the richness of the butter. You’ll need the juice of 2 limes, which typically yields about 3-4 tablespoons of lime juice. Fresh lime juice is crucial for the vibrant, bright flavor that complements the grilled pineapple so well. Bottled lime juice can be used in a pinch, but it often lacks the fresh, zesty aroma and flavor of freshly squeezed juice. If possible, always opt for fresh limes. The acidity of the lime juice also helps to tenderize the pineapple slightly and balance the sweetness.

Lime Zest: To amplify the lime flavor and add an extra layer of aromatic citrus notes, we incorporate lime zest. You’ll need the zest of 1 lime. Lime zest is the grated outer skin of the lime, and it contains concentrated citrus oils that are packed with flavor. Use a microplane or a fine grater to zest the lime, being careful to only grate the green part of the rind and avoid the bitter white pith underneath. The lime zest adds a fragrant, zesty dimension to the glaze that elevates the overall flavor profile.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness, depth of flavor, and helps create a beautiful caramelized glaze on the grilled pineapple. You’ll need ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar. Light brown sugar is preferred for its molasses notes, which complement the tropical flavors of the pineapple and lime. Packed brown sugar means firmly pressing the brown sugar into the measuring cup when measuring. You can use dark brown sugar for a richer, more intense molasses flavor, but light brown sugar provides a more balanced sweetness in this recipe. The brown sugar caramelizes beautifully on the grill, creating a slightly sticky, glossy glaze that is utterly delicious.

Optional: Spiced Rum or Coconut Rum (for adults): For an extra layer of flavor and warmth, especially if serving this dessert at an adult gathering, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of spiced rum or coconut rum to the glaze. Rum adds a subtle boozy kick and enhances the tropical notes of the dish. Spiced rum will add warm spice notes, while coconut rum will amplify the tropical sweetness. This ingredient is entirely optional and can be omitted if you prefer a non-alcoholic version or are serving to children.

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Instructions

Prepare the Pineapple: Begin by preparing the pineapple. Lay the pineapple on its side on a cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife, cut off the crown (the leafy top) and the base of the pineapple. Stand the pineapple upright and carefully slice off the skin from top to bottom, following the curve of the pineapple. Remove any remaining “eyes” (the brown spots) with a paring knife. Once peeled, you have a few options for cutting the pineapple:
- Rings: Slice the pineapple crosswise into rings about ¾ inch thick. This is a classic and visually appealing way to grill pineapple.
- Spears: Cut the pineapple lengthwise into quarters, then cut each quarter lengthwise again into spears. Spears are easy to handle on the grill and are great for dipping.
- Chunks: Cut the pineapple into bite-sized chunks. Chunks are ideal for skewers or if you plan to serve the grilled pineapple over ice cream or yogurt.

Make the Buttery Lime Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, ¼ cup of packed light brown sugar, 3-4 tablespoons of lime juice, and zest of 1 lime. If using, add 1-2 tablespoons of spiced rum or coconut rum at this stage. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Continue to simmer the glaze for about 2-3 minutes, or until it slightly thickens and becomes glossy. Be careful not to overcook the glaze, as it can become too thick and sugary. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set aside.

Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350-400°F or 175-200°C). If using a gas grill, preheat with all burners on medium, then adjust to medium heat. If using a charcoal grill, prepare a medium-hot fire. Clean the grill grates with a wire brush and lightly oil them to prevent the pineapple from sticking. You can use cooking spray or brush the grates with vegetable oil using a heatproof brush.

Grill the Pineapple: Brush the pineapple slices, spears, or chunks generously with the buttery lime glaze on both sides. Place the glazed pineapple on the preheated grill grates in a single layer. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side for rings or spears, and 1-2 minutes per side for chunks, or until grill marks appear and the pineapple is heated through and slightly softened. Keep an eye on the pineapple while grilling, as the sugars in the glaze can caramelize quickly and burn if the heat is too high or if grilled for too long. If the pineapple starts to brown too quickly, reduce the heat or move it to a cooler part of the grill.

Baste and Grill Again (Optional): For extra flavor and a more pronounced glaze, you can brush the pineapple with more glaze halfway through grilling and again right before removing it from the grill. This will create a thicker, more caramelized coating.

Remove and Serve: Once the pineapple is grilled to your liking, remove it from the grill and place it on a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining buttery lime glaze over the grilled pineapple. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 180-250
Sugar: 20-30g
Sodium: 30-50mg
Fat: 8-12g
Saturated Fat: 5-7g
Carbohydrates: 25-35g
Fiber: 1-2g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20-30mg