Pineapple BBQ Sauce is a fabulous addition to your barbecue cookouts. And loaded with a rich, smoky, savory kick and tangy tropical flavors. The best part? It's better than store-bought and ready in less than 10 minutes.
This is my copycat take on Trader Joe's Hawaiian-style BBQ sauce. The very first attempt turned out so delicious that I wondered why I hadn't tried it all these years(do you love this spicy grilled pineapple?)
My pineapple BBQ sauce gets its flavor from smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce, making it downright irresistible and multi-purpose(Similar to this Sriracha BBQ Sauce).
You can use it as a glaze for meats, as a marinade, a dipping sauce, or even drizzle it over a fresh garden salad. My family's favorite way to enjoy it is as pineapple BBQ meatballs.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️The fruity pineapple flavor is unbeatable-it works so well in this sauce.
⭐️It's versatile and customizable. You can use it as a glaze for grilled meats, salmon, or just about anything you like.
⭐️It's also super quick to make and great for meal prepping.
Ingredients
- Crushed pineapple: You can use canned crushed pineapple (drain it before adding to the recipe) or make your own with fresh pineapple (slice it into chunks and blend it until it turns into a coarse texture).
- Ketchup: I used Heinz ketchup, but feel free to use your favorite brand.
- Apple cider vinegar: This balances the flavors with a bit of acidity. You can swap it with white vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds that deep umami punch.
- Soy sauce: Use light soy sauce to keep the flavor balanced. If you use dark soy sauce, reduce the amount since it's more intense.
- Smoked paprika: Brings that classic smoky barbecue flavor.
- Garlic powder: You can swap it with freshly minced garlic if you prefer.
- Onion powder: Adds a nice punch of flavor.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Add a hint of heat that balances the tangy sweetness of the pineapple.
How To Make Pineapple BBQ Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, combine crushed pineapple, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and spices; whisk until well mixed.
- Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, then let it cool before serving.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
- Pineapple BBQ sauce has a medium to moderate level of heat, but it can easily be adjusted to suit your spice tolerance.
- Smoked paprika and cayenne pepper are what bring in the warmth.
- Smoked paprika adds that deep, smoky flavor with just a mild kick, while cayenne pepper brings more noticeable heat.
- If you prefer a milder sauce, you can skip the cayenne pepper entirely or add just a tiny pinch. It won't affect the overall flavor of the recipe, and you'll still get all the sweet, smoky goodness without the extra burn.
The Leftovers
- This pineapple BBQ sauce stores really well in the refrigerator. If you have leftovers, consider yourself lucky-it means you've got an effortless lunch or dinner base for the next day.
- You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze it for up to four months.
- When you're ready to use frozen sauce, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or quickly defrost it in the microwave.
- To reheat, pour the sauce into a pan, sprinkle in a little water to loosen up the texture, and stir over low heat until it reaches your desired consistency.
FAQ
This is a versatile condiment you can use in so many ways. It's delicious with meatballs, pork chops, or as a glaze for steak, grilled chicken, or even tofu. You can use it as a dipping sauce, a marinade, or toss it with salads.
Yes! In fact, fresh pineapple can make the sauce taste even better. Simply blend the fresh pineapple into a coarse texture, then use the same quantity listed in the recipe.
This recipe is naturally vegan. You can toss it with salad, pour it over tofu, or pair it with any plant-based protein you like.
The sauce will naturally thicken a bit as it cools. If you still find it too thin, pour it into a pan and simmer until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also add a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch with water), stir it into the sauce, and bring it to a boil for 2-3 minutes until the cornstarch turns transparent.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Pineapple BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup crushed pineapple canned or freshly blended (See Note 1)
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (See Note 2)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional(adjust to taste)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the crushed pineapple, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and the remaining ingredients.
- Whisk until everything is well combined.
- Place a pan over medium heat, add our pineapple mixture.
- Stir occasionally and let it cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens(to your desired consistency).
- Allow the sauce to cool. And enjoy your flavorful pineapple BBQ sauce over delicious meatballs or your favorite dishes!
Notes
- Use canned crushed pineapple (drained) or fresh pineapple blended to a coarse texture;
- Swap apple cider vinegar with white vinegar, lemon, or lime juice.
- Adjust heat by skipping or reducing cayenne pepper; smoked paprika adds mild warmth without overpowering spice.
- Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 4 months; thaw in the fridge or microwave.
- Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water, stirring over low heat until desired consistency.
- Works as a glaze for meats, salmon, tofu, a marinade, dipping sauce, or salad drizzle.
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