Our 38 Best Pineapple Recipes for a Bit of Tropical Everything

No wonder that the pineapple is the universal symbol of hospitality

By SAVEUR Editors
Updated: May 10, 2018

Few fruits are as iconic as the pineapple. The universal symbol of hospitality, the prickly tropical fruit hides a sweet, juicy flesh that can instantly transport you to a tropical beach. It's the perfect base for refreshing, sweet-meets-tart salsas and bright sauces to serve with meats. But it's also excellent in desserts: Adding pineapple to cakes adds a little fruity sweetness and just the right amount of moisture. We particularly love making a pineapple jam to sandwich between two cookie shells for the ultimate tea cookies. And last but not least, don't forget cocktails. A staple for bartenders, pineapple juice hearkens to the early days of booze trading and adds flair to a bevy of tropical cocktails, namely tiki classics. From pineapple cakes to salsas to tropical cocktails, we've rounded up our favorite pineapple recipes here.

Chicken and Green Mango Salad

Chicken and Green Mango Salad
This Cambodian chicken salad is bolstered by crisp green mango, roasted peanuts, and fresh herbs with a signature Southeast Asian sweet–sour–savory dressing. Get the recipe for Chicken and Green Mango Salad »Christopher Wise

Prosecco, Honey, and Lime Cocktail

The Anvil Champagne Cocktail
In this refreshing take on classic tiki drink The Airmail—a prosecco cocktail featuring honey syrup and lime—head bartender Alba Huerta at Julep in Houston replaces the rum with gin and adds pineapple juice and fresh dill for a savory twist. Get the recipe for Prosecco, Honey, and Lime Cocktail »Matt Taylor-Gross

Pineapple and Pork Teriyaki Skewers

Pineapple and Pork Teriyaki Skewers
Sweet grilled onion and pineapple stand up against rich marinated pork in these easy, Hawaiian-inspired skewers. Get the recipe for Pineapple and Pork Teriyaki Skewers »Matt Taylor-Gross

Four-Hour Pineapple

7 hour Pineapple
Slow-cooking pineapple whole on the grill concentrates and enriches its flavors while keeping the fruit tasting bright. "The pineapple must be very ripe," Mallmann says. "If not, it's useless. The slower you do it, the better." Get the recipe for Four-Hour Pineapple »Matt Taylor-Gross

Spicy Pineapple Linzer Cookies

Pineapple Tea Cookies
These sandwich cookies, adapted from chef Frederico Ribeiro of New York's Te Company, are an homage to the classic Taiwanese pineapple cake. Here a super-buttery vanilla bean shortbread gets a nutty dose of hazelnut flour, and sweet pineapple-rosemary jam gets balanced by the spicy, fermented, and grassy flavor of Japanese yuzu kosho paste. Be sure to let the cookies rest overnight (or at least a few hours) after assembling so the jam sets in place, and don't skip the lime zest and flaky salt topping for a sweet and savory cookie that has a nice habit of electrifying your taste buds. Get the recipe for Spicy Pineapple Linzer Cookies »Matt Taylor-Gross

Pineapple Salsa Hot Dog

Pineapple Avocado Hot Dog
Top your hot dog with pineapple, avocado, and red cabbage for added crunch and sweetness. Get the recipe for Pineapple Salsa Hot Dog »Farideh Sadeghin

Summer Rambutan Curry

Summer Rambutan Curry
After stumbling upon fresh rambutans, test kitchen assistant Jake Cohen used this Malaysian tropical fruit to make this spicy and sweet summer curry. Get the recipe for Summer Rambutan Curry »Matt Taylor-Gross

Grilled Pineapple Margarita

Grilled Pineapple Margarita
The Margarita is essential to America's canon of summertime drinks, and adding a grilled element makes it that much more American. Burnished pineapple adds a rich layer of fruitiness while mezcal lends a veil of smoke and spice. For even more smoke and spice, add a salt rim laced with chile powder and coriander. Get the recipe for Grilled Pineapple Margarita »Eric Medsker

Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake
This hummingbird cake honors the legacy of the Southern cook Edna Lewis. Get the recipe for Hummingbird Cake »Matt Taylor-Gross

If You Like Piña Colada

If you Like Pina Colada Cocktail
Leo Robitschek of Eleven Madison Park crafted this cocktail in honor of our 21st birthday, inspired by SAVEUR's global influence. "While your average 21-year-old is spending their birthday getting a little too familiar with Jagermeister and Miller High-Life—not that there's anything wrong with that—SAVEUR has already been around the world," he says. "She's sampled the best, and is hungry for more. Here, a perfect blend of some lesser-seen players: spicy rye, robust and savory-spiced velvet falernum, ancient and unapologetically vegetal green Chartreuse, and Linie aquavit, a spirit that, amazingly enough, has actually sailed around the world, aging in oak sherry casks to the rhythm of the rolling waves. Coconut, lime, and pineapple tie the package together; a somewhat more civilized yet totally delicious way to celebrate one's twenty-first year." Get the recipe for If You Like Piña Colada »Matt Taylor-Gross

Phillippine Fruit Salad

Phillippine Fruit Salad
"When I introduce this dish to my friends for the first time, they are confused and a little hesitant to eat it. Once they try it, though, they fall in love." – Leah Cohen of Pig & Khao Get the recipe for Phillippine Fruit Salad »Matt Taylor-Gross

The Shaman

The Shaman
Leo Robitschek, bar director of The NoMad restaurant in New York City, pairs smoky mezcal and cinnamon syrup with floral pisco and fresh pineapple juice for this layered, tropical-style drink. Get the recipe for The Shaman »Ingalls Photography

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express
Cinnamon adds warm spice to this frosty treat made with puréed pineapple. Get the recipe for Pineapple Express »Michael Kraus

Pineapple and Pine Nut Torte

Pineapple and Pine Nut Torte
At Portland, Oregon's Måurice restaurant, pastry chef Kristen Murray layers sponge cake with buttercream and white chocolate ganache, and garnishes the torte with honeyed pineapple slices and candied pine nuts. Get the recipe for Pineapple and Pine Nut Torte »Joseph De Leo

Pineapple Ice Pops (Paletas de Piña)

Pineapple Ice Pops (Paletas de Piña)
With just two ingredients—puréed pineapple and sugar—these paletas are unbelievably simple to assemble. Get the recipe for Pineapple Ice Pops (Paletas de Piña) »Michael Kraus

Pineapple Mojito

Pineapple Mojito
This twist on a mojito combines pineapple- and coconut-infused rum with fresh pineapple and mint for a fruity, vacation-inspired drink. Get the recipe for Pineapple Mojito »Helen Rosner

Piquant Pickled Pineapple

Piquant Pickled Pineapple
Garlic and Sriracha balance the sweetness of pineapple in this Southeast Asian-inspired pickle; a splash of fish sauce adds a robust savory edge. Get the recipe for Piquant Pickled Pineapple »Helen Rosner

Pineapple “Up-Sides-Down”

Pineapple “Up-Sides-Down”
Tuaca, a vanilla citrus liqueur, and vanilla vodka transform pineapple juice into a dessert-like cocktail. Get the recipe for Pineapple "Up-Sides-Down" »Helen Rosner

Frozen Piña Colada

Frozen Piña Colada
A poolside classic, this blended coconut cooler is heightened with a splash of aromatic bitters. Get the recipe for Frozen Piña Colada »Todd Coleman

Fresh Pineapple Salsa (Salsa de Piña)

Fresh Pineapple Salsa (Salsa de Piña)
Tropical fruit adds sweetness and acidity to this fragrant, spicy salsa. The tart pineapple is a perfect foil for rich meats, stewed chicken, and roasted fish. Get the recipe for Fresh Pineapple Salsa (Salsa de Piña) »Todd Coleman

Mezcalita de Piña

Mezcalita de Piña
Made with mezcal, grilled pineapple, jalapeño, and lime, this festive take on the classic margarita is smoky, sweet, and spicy, with an herbaceous kick from cilantro. Get the recipe for Mezcalita de Piña »Todd Coleman

Spicy Pineapple Yogurt (Kaitha Chaka Pachadi)

Spicy Pineapple Yogurt (Kaitha Chaka Pachadi)
This zippy raita gets its punch from green Thai chiles and its sweetness from pineapple. A piquant mixture of black mustard seeds, dried red chiles, and curry leaves lends the sauce an earthy spice. Get the recipe for Spicy Pineapple Yogurt (Kaitha Chaka Pachadi) »Ingalls Photography

The Castaway

The Castaway
This take on the piña colada owes its silky texture to Coco Lopéz, a mixture of sugarcane and coconut cream. Get the recipe for The Castaway »Laura Sant

Pineapple and Cactus Drink (Agua de Piña con Nopal)

Pineapple and Cactus Drink (Agua de Piña con Nopal)
This thirst-quencher punches up pineapple and apple with cactus. Get the recipe for Pineapple and Cactus Drink (Agua de Piña con Nopal) »Todd Coleman

Sour Fish Soup (Canh Chua Cá)

Sour Fish Soup (Canh Chua Cá)
Southern Vietnamese cooks often simmer catfish steaks with caramel sauce, and use the fish's head and tail in this refreshing soup brightened with tamarind and pineapple. Get the recipe for Sour Fish Soup (Canh Chua Cá) »Penny De Los Santos

Crab Cakes with Chipotle Aïoli and Pineapple Salsa

Crab Cakes with Chipotle Aïoli and Pineapple Salsa
Puréed scallops and whipped egg whites lend heft and creamy texture to these crab cakes from Ocean Bleu @ Gino's restaurant in Newport, Oregon. Get the recipe for Crab Cakes with Chipotle Aïoli and Pineapple Salsa »Andrew Ingalls

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
This recipe comes from the chief of the Arcata Fire Department in Humboldt County, California, and is considered an all-time favorite among the firemen. Get the recipe for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake »Helen Rosner

Sweet Potato Casserole with Bourbon and Pineapple

Sweet Potato Casserole with Bourbon and Pineapple
A variation of traditional sweet potato casserole, this side gets its depth of flavor from bourbon and pineapple. Get the recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole with Bourbon and Pineapple »Anna Stockwell

Tiki Bandit

Tiki Bandit
This version of a classic tiki drink mixes two kinds of rum with a variety of fruit juices and syrups. Get the recipe for Tiki Bandit »Todd Coleman

South Shore Sangria

South Shore Sangria
Like an adult version of Hawaiian Punch, this cocktail is a balance of sweet liqueurs, fruit juices, and red wine. Get the recipe for South Shore Sangria »Michael Kraus

Blue Hawaii

Blue Hawaii cocktail
This neon-hued curaçao punch features vodka, pineapple juice, and sour mix. Get the recipe for Blue Hawaii »Michael Kraus

Riki Tiki

Riki Tiki cocktail
This refresher combines pineapple and mango juices with coconut and spiced rums. Get the recipe for Riki Tiki »Michael Kraus

Pawleys Rum Punch

Pawlets Rum Punch
Contributor Marshall Bright's father makes this boozy fruit punch for the family every year during their annual beach vacation in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. A sprinkle of fresh nutmeg on top compliments the molasses-like flavor of the rum. Use freshly squeezed orange juice—it adds a bright flavor the bottled stuff can't match. Get the recipe for Pawleys Rum Punch »Farideh Sadeghin

Buttermilk Cookie Salad

Buttermilk Cookie Salad
The addition of buttermilk in this ultra-retro dessert keeps it from being too cloying and renders cookie salad totally appropriate for the adult palate. Get the recipe for Buttermilk Cookie Salad »Matt Taylor-Gross

Classic Carrot Cake

Classic Carrot Cake
This version of the cake is a potluck and bake sale favorite; the addition of crushed pineapple helps to keep it sweet and moist. Get the recipe for Classic Carrot Cake »Todd Coleman

Grilled Sangria

Grilling, Grilled Sangria
Whether it's juicing grilled limes into margaritas, charring tomatoes for bloody marys, or making this reimagined sangria with caramelized fruits, grilling your drinks will add smoky depth to every sip. Get the recipe for Grilled Sangria »Matt Taylor-Gross

Regent's Punch

Regent's Punch
This tea-infused champagne punch makes an elegant centerpiece for any festive occasion. Get the recipe for Regent's Punch »Vanessa Rees

Grilled Snapper with Habanero Scallions

Grilled Snapper with Habanero Scallions
The chile heat brings out the sweetness of whole red snapper in this Jamaican recipe; a burst of freshly squeezed pineapple juice adds another bright note. Grilling fish on a plancha or cast-iron griddle prevents it from falling apart. Get the recipe for Grilled Snapper with Habanero Scallions »Helen Rosner

Korean Grilled Beef Ribs (Kalbi)

Korean Grilled Beef Ribs (Kalbi)
Pineapple juice sweetens and tenderizes beef short ribs in this classic Korean grilled dish. Ask your butcher for bone-in short ribs cut in half crosswise. Get the recipe for Korean Grilled Beef Ribs (Kalbi) »Landon Nordeman

Walnut Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

Walnut Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
Surprisingly airy and light, this cake could have been a soufflé in a previous life. Naturally gluten-free, the batter gets its lift from egg whites, its rich stability from walnut flour, and its moistness from grated carrot and pineapple. Get the recipe for Walnut Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting »Todd Coleman

Latest

Sheermal: Northern India’s Lesser Known But (We Think) Superior Flatbread
Tustacas de Chocolate
A New Cookbook Finally Gives Armenian Food Its Due
Sheermal
Horchata de Chocolate
Lyon’s New ‘Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie’ Leaves Some Visitors Hungry
Making Candy? A Precise Thermometer Is A Must-Have Tool
A Honduran-American Baker’s Tustacas Obsession
SAVEUR’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US