Rum Soaked Pineapple is the perfect way to use grilled pineapple. We’re marinating the pineapple in a rum soak (and then reducing that marinade into a thick caramel sauce), grilling the pineapple, and then finishing with that rum-caramel drizzle. Serve with ice cream and you have a decadent grilled dessert idea that will amaze your guests.
When you are outside, soaking in some amazing weather, and want to maximize your grilling time, consider grilling all your courses, including dessert. So many fruits grill up incredibly well, making for easy and festive desserts. We were inspired to make the pineapple shine in this recipe, while adding a little more texture and flavor with a dark rum marinade. This one is easy and quick, and is totally restaurant worthy.
Rum Soaked Grilled Pineapple Highlights
- The marinade will add a rich and decadent flavor to the pineapple.
- As the pineapple slices cook over direct heat, they will sweeten and develop a savory char.
- Reduce the marinade to a caramel-like glaze for even more flavor.
- Serve over ice cream for the perfect grilled dessert.
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Ingredients for Rum Soaked Pineapples
This recipe may not have many ingredients, but when you put them all together in the right order it becomes magical. The main star here is fresh pineapple. From there it’s about the rum for the quick marinade. We like dark rum for this. One that isn’t too expensive, but still one you would drink on its own. Dark rum has more of that richer flavor than lighter rums. So be sure to seek out a dark rum.
From there it’s about balancing sweet and spice flavors. We use cinnamon and dark brown sugar in the marinade so it doesn’t make the pineapple taste too bitter from the alcohol.
For the caramel drizzle, we’re using that same marinade, and reducing it with some freshly squeezed orange juice, a little more dark brown sugar, and some unsalted butter. When this combination is reduced over heat, it becomes thick and magical like a caramel sauce (but better).
Then finish these incredible grilled rum soaked pineapples with your favorite ice cream, in this case Vanilla Bean.
Preparation
Using a sharp and sturdy knife, remove the base of the pineapple first. Next, remove the pineapple top. This gives a stable pineapple to remove the bark.
Using the knife, carefully start from the top of the pineapple and work your way down removing the pineapple bark. Turn and continue until all the bark is removed. You’ll need to finely trim off some pieces that remain as you turn it.
If you have a coring tool this is a good time to remove the core (before you make the slices). If you don’t have a coring tool lay the pineapple sideways and cut into six to eight slices (depending on the size of your pineapple). The average pineapple should yield at least six thick slices. Then, using your knife, remove the rough core of the pineapple slices, which is hard in texture and not always pleasant to eat.
Note: The fresher the pineapple, the softer the core will be, so you may not want to remove it if it’s soft and fresh.
Pineapple Rum Soak Marinade
The marinade will soak into the pineapple slices giving a depth of flavor after it’s grilled. Start with a large baking dish. Lay the pineapple slices in the dish. In a large measuring cup mix your rum, sugar, and cinnamon. Pour the marinade directly over the pineapple slices.
Let the marinate sit for 15 minutes and then flip the pineapple slices. Let continue to marinate the other side for 15 minutes. Then it’s ready to grill and make the glaze. ***Remove the pineapple slices and save the marinade!
Sequence: The best sequence for making this dish is:
- Marinate the rum soaked pineapples while warming up the grill (the grill will take roughly 15 to 20 minutes to warm up).
- Make the caramel sauce.
- Grill pineapple. The sauce will be ready when the warm pineapple slices are plated.
How to Grill Pineapple
You can see more details about how to grill pineapple, but we’re using a medium heat to get a nice grill crust for flavor, but avoiding flare ups from the alcohol in the marinade.
- Prepare the grill for direct heat with an internal temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the pineapple slices over the direct heat for 5 to 7 minutes and then flip. You should see some nice grill marks. Continue to grill another 4 to 5 minutes or you see nice char or grill marks.
- Remove from heat and prepare to serve the pineapple while still warm.
Rum Caramel Glaze
After removing the rum soaked pineapple slices from the marinade, pour the remaining sauce into a small sauce pan, and then add the orange juice and brown sugar and bring heat to medium. The marinade should start to simmer (but avoid boiling). Keep it at a simmer and reduce in half (about 5 to 6 minutes). Remove from heat and then add the butter. Whisk in the butter, and as you whisk you’ll note that the texture will firm up, but not harden.
Place a grilled pineapple slice on a plate, and add a scoop of ice cream and then drizzle with the glaze over the top.
Additional topping ideas can include crushed macadamia nuts, crushed pistachios, or even shaved milk chocolate and sea salt.
More Grilled Pineapple Recipes
Grilled Rum Soaked Pineapple with Caramel Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 whole pineapple (peeled, cored, and sliced into 6-8 slices)
- ½ cup dark rum
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, (light works fine too)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 scoops vanilla bean ice cream
Glaze
- rum marinade (from above)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Rum Marinade: In a large baking dish, add the pineapple slices. In a separate measuring cup, mix together the rum, sugar, and cinnamon. Pour the rum mixture directly over the pineapple wedges and let the marinate sit for 15 minutes, and then flip the pineapple and continue to marinate the other side for 15 minutes. Remove the pineapple slices and save the marinade!
- Preheat Grill: Prepare the grill for direct heat using lump charcoal with an internal temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Do this while the pineapple is marinating.
- Grill Pineapple: Place the pineapple slices over the direct heat for 5 to 7 minutes and then flip. You should see some nice grill marks. Continue to grill another 4 to 5 minutes or you see nice char or grill marks. Remove from grill.
- Serve: Place a warm pineapple slice on a plate and add a scoop of ice cream, and then drizzle with the rum caramel glaze and enjoy.
Rum Caramel Glaze
- After removing the pineapple slices from the marinade, transfer the remaining rum marinade into a small sauce pan, and add the orange juice and brown sugar and bring to a medium heat. The marinade should start to simmer (but NOT boiling). Simmer and reduce in half (about 5 to 6 minutes). Remove from heat and then add the butter. Whisk the butter, and as you whisk you’ll note that the texture will firm up, but not harden. Serve warm.
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