Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Popular Ingredients 15 Fresh Pineapple Recipes That Range From Dinner to Dessert This sweet-tart fruit isn't just for piña coladas. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 28, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Victor Protasio Fresh pineapple boosts any dish—appetizers, desserts, and everything in between—with an unmistakable sweet tang. So the next time a recipe calls for pineapple, skip the canned fruit aisle and reach for a ripe pineapple to elevate the dish. This compilation of pineapple recipes proves that fresh pineapple delivers a punch of flavor. 01 of 15 Tropical Fruit Salad Victor Protasio If you could take a bite of a tropical vacation, it would probably taste like this dreamy salad. Pineapple shares the spotlight with papaya, mango, and kiwi in a lime juice-based dressing that sits atop a bed of creamy coconut yogurt. Finish with a dusting of coconut flakes, and enjoy in a tropical print and wide-brimmed hat. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 15 Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale Yunhee Kim Garnished with fresh pineapple triangles, this mocktail helps turn your backyard party into a tropical island retreat. Add a little rum to this refreshingly fizzy drink for an instant cocktail. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 15 Shrimp Tacos With Caramelized Pineapple Jennifer Causey Pineapple lends this classic Tex-Mex favorite a tropical vibe. The recipe calls for pineapple rings from a can, but fresh works, too. Those rings are sauteed stovetop until charred, and then chopped to fill warm tortillas alongside seasoned shrimp, cabbage slaw, and a lime-crema drizzle. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 15 Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans Greg DuPree The "tangy" comes from your favorite BBQ sauce, while the "sweet" comes from—you guessed it—pineapple. With an assist from brown sugar, fresh pineapple chunks sweeten and brighten this standard baked beanside with an unexpected twist. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 15 Baked Cinnamon Roasted Pineapple Steve Giralt These sweet, tangy roasted pineapple chunks can be served at any meal. They make breakfast a treat when served atop yogurt, granola, or a shmeared bagel. Plate them for dinner alongside pork, ham, or chicken for a sweet tropical vibe, or try them as a dessert topping for ice cream or pound cake. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 15 Pork and Pineapple Tacos Charles Masters Swap the recipe's canned pineapple for fresh to lift this taco dish to greater heights. Pineapple lends a sweet juiciness, while chili powder and jalapenos bring the heat. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 15 Chicken Adobo Victor Protasio Arguably the signature dish of the Philippines, "adobo," which is Spanish for "dressing," refers to the spicy marinade or seasoning typically made from chili peppers, vinegar, spices, and herbs. In this pineapple-forward version, fresh pineapple sweetens the marinade and doubles as a garnish. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 15 Carrot-Pineapple Smoothie Grant Cornett Pineapple teams up with orange juice and banana to create this smooth, frothy refresher. Healthy and dairy-free, you can whip this smoothie up in just 5 minutes, making it an any time of day pick-me-up. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 15 Glazed Chicken and Pineapple Victor Protasio Winner, winner, grilled chicken and pineapple dinner! Pineapple juice joins ketchup, honey, and soy sauce for a classic Hawaiian-style chicken marinade. Skin-on chicken thighs share the grill with fresh pineapple half-rings for a sweet 30-minute summer entrée. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 15 Boozy Dole Whip Debbie Galbraith/Getty Images This adults-only, pineapple-banana-flavored cross between a smoothie and soft-serve mimics the mega-popular treat that used to be sold exclusively at Disney parks. Skip the coconut rum to make this smooth, creamy treat kid-friendly. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 15 Maple-Glazed Salmon With Pineapple Sang An This pineapple dish balances sweetness from a maple syrup glaze and fresh pineapple chunks with Dijon and jalapeno, resulting in a spicy-sweet main course. Instead of broiling the salmon, pineapple, and jalapeno, consider giving them a turn on the grill for a smoky, charred twist. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 15 Good Morning Green Smoothie Caitlin Bensel Get a head start on your daily fruit and veg counts with this vibrant, dairy-free smoothie. Frozen pineapple joins spinach, cucumber, and apple in the blender, but fresh chunks work just as well. Simply whirl, pour, and enjoy! GET THE RECIPE 13 of 15 Slow Cooker Pineapple Upside Down Cake Victor Protasio Here's a classic throwback dessert that's been updated and simplified with the use of a 6- to 7-quart round or oval slow cooker. The recipe calls for canned pineapple rings, only because they are so perfectly round. If you're careful with carving, or just don't care so much about aesthetics, sub with fresh and slice away. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 15 Kale Smoothie With Pineapple and Banana Christopher Baker Drink your veggies! Coconut milk gives this smoothie a creamy, rich consistency, while pineapple and banana add sweetness. Swap out the kale for spinach, or use a little of both. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 15 Jerk Pork Burgers With Pineapple Fred Hardy Fire up the grill for these island-style burgers. Pineapple works double duty atop all-pork patties in this recipe. It calls for canned rings but, if using fresh, reserve a grilled pineapple slice to top each burger and juice the rest of the fruit to make a punchy, bright, jerk-spiked ketchup. GET THE RECIPE Here's How to Grow Pineapple Houseplants With Store-Bought Pineapples Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit