Caramelized Pineapple is super easy (just 3 ingredients) and makes a tasty dessert or sweet side dish—it's perfect for dressing up a holiday meal. Use fresh pineapple, or make caramelized pineapple with canned pineapple. This recipe uses just one pan on the stovetop.
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Ingredients
- Butter. No substitutes!
- Brown sugar.
- Pineapple. You can use fresh or canned pineapple in rings or chunks.
How to Caramelize Pineapple
Caramel is the result of heating sugar, and in this easy recipe we caramelize pineapple by creating a rich caramel sauce from butter and brown sugar to cook the pineapple in.
Prepare the pineapple by draining if you are using canned, or by peeling, coring, and slicing if you are using fresh.
Melt the butter in a skillet (1) and add the brown sugar (2), stirring over medium heat until dissolved completely. When it is thick and syrupy, add the pineapple (3).
Cook the pineapple until it is a nice brown color, about 3-4 minutes per side if cooking rings or 6-8 minutes total for chunks. Remove pineapple to a serving bowl, leaving the caramel sauce in the skillet (4).
Reduce the sauce by about a third by cooking over medium to medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for around 5 minutes. Pour the caramel syrup over the pineapple and serve. Caramelized pineapple makes a delicious topping for vanilla ice cream and cheesecake.
Caramelized Pineapple FAQ
Can I use fresh pineapple?
Yes! Make sure you choose a ripe pineapple (look for a pineapple that is more yellow than green (avoid orange, which indicates it is overripe). Cut the pineapple as indicated below and use the wedges in the recipe where it calls for canned pineapple rings.
How do I cut a fresh pineapple?
Cut off the top and the bottom of the fresh pineapple, including about ½" of the fruit. Stand it on end and slice the outside edges in narrow strips following the curve of the fruit. Continue around the edge until all of the exterior is sliced off.
If you want to cut into rings, you will need a pineapple corer to remove the core, then slice into rings. For wedges, cut the pineapple in half lengthwise from top to bottom, then repeat until the pineapple is in quarters. Stand each quarter on end and cut the hard core from the middle edge, then slice the remaining fruit into wedges.
If I use fresh pineapple, can I grill it?
If you are using fresh pineapple, grilled pineapple is a great option for even more flavor. Instead of cooking the pineapple in with the caramel, grill it until it starts to brown in spots, then top the grilled pineapple wedges with the finished caramel sauce.
Can I use canned pineapple tidbits?
This recipe works best with pineapple slices (pictured below) or chunks. Wedges would be fine, but shorten the time you cook them in the caramel. I do not recommend using tidbits or crushed pineapple unless you are making a topping for something else; they will lose their form and the pineapple will become part of the caramel sauce.
How do I store caramelized pineapple?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Recipe
Easy Caramelized Pineapple (3 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 40 ounces canned pineapple rings or chunks, or 1 fresh pineapple
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- If using fresh pineapple, peel and core the pineapple, and slice it into chunks or rings. If using 40 ounces canned pineapple rings or chunks, drain the pineapple.
- Melt 8 tablespoons butter in a large skillet and allow to start browning slightly. Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until it becomes thicker and syrupy.
- Add pineapple and cook until it becomes a nice brown color, about 3-4 minutes per side for rings, or about 6-8 minutes stirring occasionally for chunks.
- Remove pineapple into a serving bowl, leaving the sauce in the skillet.
- Reduce the sauce by about a third by cooking over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for around 5 minutes.
- Pour the reduced sauce over the pineapple and serve alone or with vanilla ice cream.
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