30 Best Pineapple Recipes for a Taste of the Tropics
Try it in both sweet and savory dishes!
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Picture this: You're lounging on a beach in a tropical location, enjoying the warm sun, sipping on a fruity cocktail, and snacking on juicy pineapple all day long. Sounds like heaven, right? How would you feel if you could do that right in your own home? Well, you can! We're bringing the tropics straight to your kitchen with these pineapple recipes that are both sweet and savory.
Here, you'll find tons of ways to use pineapple in weeknight dinners, grilling recipes, salsas, and more. And for those who prefer the sweeter side of pineapple, check out the many tropical desserts ahead—pineapple upside-down cake, sweet and spicy sorbet, ice cream sandwiches, and tropical fruit galette. Of course, this pineapple roundup wouldn't be complete without a few tropical cocktails on the list, too. Read on for pineapple-peach frozen sangria, the classic piña colada, and so much more!
First things first, you'll want to review how to pick a ripe pineapple and Ree Drummond's easy way to cut it up. Or you can opt for one of the recipes that uses canned pineapple instead. Either way, you'll get a taste of vacation with these pineapple recipes. Whether you're looking for pool party foods or a fun topping for burgers (like grilled pineapple on Ree's Hawaiian pizza burgers), read on for all the fun things you can make with pineapple!
Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes
These little beauties are easier than they look! Simply use canned pineapple rings and muffin pans to create evenly sized cakes, perfect for a crowd.
Get Ree's Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes recipe.
Rainbow Fruit Breakfast Skewers
What a way to start the day! String a rainbow of fruit including berries, pineapple, and grapes on a skewer and cap them off with cute sprinkle doughnut holes.
Piña Colada
If you like piña coladas (and getting caught in the rain), definitely make some from scratch. It's a taste of the tropics, even if you can't plan your escape quite that day.
Get the Piña Colada recipe.
Ham with Cherry-Pineapple Glaze
This gorgeous retro ham is perfect for Easter, Christmas, or really any time you want to wow everyone at dinner. It's sweet and salty and savory all in one bite!
Get Ree's Ham with Cherry-Pineapple Glaze recipe.
Piña Colada Cake
The classic combination of sweet pineapple and cooling coconut come together in this easy, breezy cake. It'll make for a fun summer dessert for any occasion.
Get the Piña Colada Cake recipe.
Pineapple Salsa
You can serve it as a topping for tacos or grilled steak, or simply serve it in a bowl with tortilla chips for dipping. Either way, it's sweet, spicy, and oh so colorful!
Get Ree's Pineapple Salsa recipe.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Those iconic pineapple rings and bright red cherries have been adorning upside-down cakes since the 1920s. It's a classic dessert that doesn't go out of style.
Get the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Bacon-Shrimp Skewers
You might not know it, but these bacon-shrimp skewers are wrapped up with a chunk of juicy pineapple and brushed with BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky flavor.
Get Ree's Bacon-Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
Fluffy marshmallows, crunchy coconut flakes, and juicy pineapple make this treat a delight for any celebratory brunch. The best part is—it only takes 15 minutes to make!
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Bay Breeze Cocktail
It's not just the mini umbrellas that make this cocktail tropical. There's also pineapple juice, cranberry, vodka, and slices of pineapple to garnish.
Get the Bay Breeze Cocktail recipe.
Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs with Pineapple
These tangy meatballs are delicious served over rice for weeknight dinners, but you can also serve them up with toothpicks as a party appetizer.
Get Ree's Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs with Pineapple recipe.
Dole Whip
Disney fans might recognize this theme park favorite. It's a cool, refreshing soft serve made from frozen pineapple, pineapple juice, and vanilla ice cream!
Get the Dole Whip recipe.
Pineapple Gochujang Short Ribs
These tender marinated short ribs get a burst of flavor from soy sauce, pineapple, kiwi, garlic, ginger, and spicy gochujang (a red chili paste popular in Korean cooking).
Tropical Fruit Galette
What makes this easy pastry feel like a tropical vacation? Maybe it's the chopped coconut flakes and macadamia nuts or the sweet mango, pineapple, and kiwi. Then again, there'a also a drizzle of coconut-lime glaze right over the top!
Get the Tropical Fruit Galette recipe.
Pineapple-Peach Frozen Sangria
Ree calls this "summer in a glass" and it's easy to see why—the drink is sweet, fruity, and icy cold.
Get Ree's Pineapple-Peach Frozen Sangria recipe.
Hummingbird Cake
Crushed pineapple doesn't just give this dessert a sweet flavor, it also helps keep the cake perfectly moist.
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
Hawaiian Pizza Burgers
Hawaiian pizza meets backyard barbecue with this fun twist on burgers! The beef patties are topped with cheese, deli ham, and grilled pineapple.
Get Ree's Hawaiian Pizza Burgers recipe.
Sunrise Fruit Salad
Dress up your fruit salad by adding a sweet syrup and crunchy coconut flakes. It'll impress everyone at the table.
Get Ree's Sunrise Fruit Salad recipe.
Million Dollar Cake
This is a simple cake recipe that's worth a million bucks (hence the name!). The layers of sweet pineapple filling are balanced out perfectly by the tangy cream cheese frosting.
Get the Million Dollar Cake recipe.
Grilled Pineapple
So simple yet so delicious, grilling pineapple brings out its natural sweetness. Serve as is or top with vanilla ice cream. You can also chop up leftovers and add to your yogurt the next day!
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