Savory Smoked Pineapple | Traeger, Pit Boss, or Other Pellet Grill

Whip up this sweet and spicy smoked pineapple today with less than 10 minutes prep time. Smoked pineapple is the perfect grilled side dish and with the addition of skewers, it makes the BEST smoked finger food. What are you waiting for!? Throw some fresh pineapple on the pellet grill today and serve it up with your favorite smoked main.

Cold smoking fruit on your pellet grill (225°F) is a great idea, giving it extra time to soak up smoky flavor and bringing out extra sweetness. This Traeger smoked pineapple is no exception!

Why This Smoked Pineapple Recipe ROCKS!

• smoked pineapple is simple to make with four simple ingredients and minimal prep time
• can be cooked alongside a smoked main toward the end of the cooking process
• can be prepared as a smoked dessert or a sweet and spicy side (see variations section)
• a fun finger food that the whole family can enjoy
• can be cut up smaller to make a grilled pineapple salsa or pineapple chutney
• Love smoked sides? Check out Smoked Baked Beans, Smoked Cauliflower, and Traeger Asparagus.

Tips + Tricks

• Be sure to get all of the rough peel off of the pineapple before cutting it into spears or the texture will be off putting.
• Use a ripe pineapple for the best flavor! Check this by gently pulling on one of the inside leaves, if it pulls out easily, your pineapple is ready to eat.
• Pressed for time? Turn up your smoker to 315°F to shave off at least 15 minutes from the total cook time.
• No grill mat? No problem- make sure to cut the pineapple into big enough pieces that they don’t fall through the grill grates.

Key Ingredients

Pineapple- As always, fresh is best! I purchased a whole pineapple for this recipe. Other options that will work include a whole peeled pineapple from the deli, fresh pineapple rings, or canned pineapple. If you are using prepared pineapple from a can or container, be sure to drain off any excess liquids and pat them dry with paper towel.

BBQ Rub- Choose your favorite savory barbecue rub for this recipe! My favorite rub is this Ultimate Smoked Chicken Rub…don’t let the name fool you, it is a versatile rub that can be used on many smoked dishes including smoked pineapple. If you are opting for a ready made rub, consider Traeger’s Pork and Poultry Rub.

Brown Sugar- Both light and dark brown sugar work well in this recipe.

BBQ Glaze- Choose a thin barbecue glaze or consider watering down your favorite barbecue sauce at a 1:1 sauce to water ratio. I prefer to use a barbecue sauce with a bit of heat, try this Texas Spicy Sauce.

Best Pellets for Smoked Pinapple

When smoking pineapple or other fruits, try to pick wood flavors that aren’t overpowering. Hickory, for example, leaves a really strong taste and can overpower the flavor of your pellet grill pineapple. Instead, choose fruit woods such as apple wood or cherry wood, or other mild woods including pecan, maple, or oak pellets.

Exactly How to Make Smoked Pineapple

Step 1. PREP: Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Remove the top and bottom of the pineapple. Cut away the outside peel, being sure to remove it completely. Cut along the outside of the core. I like to leave about 1/2 inch space between the circular core, and my cuts.

When done, you will have two larger pieces and two smaller pieces, and the core will be rectangular. Discard the core. See the video in the recipe card for further clarification. Slice the pineapple into at least 1 inch thick pieces. Mine were about 2 inches by four inches. Poke a skewer into the center (optional).

Step 2. SEASON: Brush the pineapple chunks lightly with 2 tablespoons of barbecue glaze. Mix 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of barbecue rub together and sprinkle the pineapple with the brown sugar rub liberally.

Step 3. SMOKE: Smoke pineapple pieces / skewers for 50-60 minutes at 225 degrees f.

Step 4. SERVE: I love to squeeze a little bit of lemon juice overtop of the smoked pineapple once it is done grilling to add extra freshness. Serve warm with your favorite smoked entree.

How To Serve Smoked Pineapple

Serve smoked pineapple with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and your favorite smoked main. Here are a few of my favorite smoker recipes:

Variations

Cinnamon-Sugar Smoked Pineapple Dessert: If you are looking for a smoked dessert rather than a savory side, simply omit the bbq sauce and bbq rub- opting instead for a mixture of 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sweet enough already!? Omit the brown sugar and simply sprinkle the pineapple with cinnamon before smoking it. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

O Naturale: If you like the basics, simply prepare the pineapple by peeling it, cut it into wedges or slices and smoke it straight up.

Smoked Pineapple Frequently Asked Questions

Smoked Pineapple Printable Recipe Card

Batch + Storage

Batch: This recipe for smoked pineapple yields around 16 skewers.

Storage: Store the smoked pineapple in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

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