Pineapple BBQ Sauce is a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy homemade sauce that brings a tropical twist to your favorite grilled dishes. It uses fresh pineapple and a couple of pantry staples for a flavorful upgrade to chicken, pork, or veggies.
If you're looking to add something a little different to your summer grilling, this Pineapple BBQ Sauce is a total game changer.
It's sweet and tangy from the pineapple, just a bit smoky, and has a gentle kick of spice, just perfect for brushing on chicken, pork, or even grilled veggies.
You can leave it a bit chunky for texture or blend it smooth, depending on what you're after. It's one of those recipes that feels a little tropical but still familiar, and I always get asked for the recipe whenever I serve it.
Why you'll love this pineapple BBQ sauce
- Comes together quickly with very simple ingredients.
- It's a fun way to use up extra pineapple, whether fresh or canned.
- It keeps well in the fridge, so you'll always have a homemade sauce ready to go for sandwiches, burgers, or a quick weeknight dinner.
What you'll need
Fresh pineapple - Finely chopped pineapple gives this sauce its signature sweetness and a bit of texture.
Ketchup - This is what you need to create the base of most BBQ sauces. Use your favorite brand here.
Brown sugar - For that rich, caramel-like sweetness.
Pineapple juice - This boosts the tropical flavor and helps everything simmer together.
Garlic and onion powder - Feel free to adjust to taste; these are for adding a savory touch.
Smoked paprika - Brings a touch of smokiness to make the sauce taste like it's been cooked over a fire.
Cayenne pepper - For that bit of a kick; feel free to skip or adjust to your heat preferences.
Apple cider vinegar - You can substitute white wine vinegar.
Worcestershire sauce - I like to add a bit to give the sauce an even more barbecue-y finish.
Pro tip
For the smoothest sauce, blend it with an immersion blender after simmering. If you like a little texture, just leave the pineapple pieces as they are.
How to make pineapple BBQ sauce
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and give everything a good stir.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, stirring now and then.
Once the sauce has thickened and the pineapple is soft, taste and adjust the seasoning if you like.
Blend the sauce for a smooth texture or leave it chunky, then let it cool before storing in the fridge.
Substitutions and variations
- Canned pineapple works well if you don't have fresh; just be sure to drain it first.
- You can swap the brown sugar for honey or maple syrup.
- Add more cayenne or a splash of hot sauce for extra heat.
Helpful tips
- Stir the sauce every so often while simmering to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Let the sauce cool a bit before blending if you want it super smooth; it's safer and gives a better texture.
- Taste the sauce as you go to adjust the sweetness and heat to your liking.
What to serve the pineapple BBQ sauce on?
This pineapple BBQ sauce is super versatile and goes with just about anything that loves a sweet and tangy kick. Drizzle it over these Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites for a fun appetizer, or brush it onto Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops right after cooking for extra flavor.
It's also fantastic with chicken - try spooning it over these Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters or using it as a glaze for Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs.
I love to use it to add a tropical twist to dishes like this BBQ Chicken Casserole or BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad.
Of course, you can also use it as a dip for fries, spread it on sandwiches, or even toss it with roasted veggies - it really works with so many dishes!
Leftovers and storage
- Leftover pineapple BBQ sauce will keep well in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to a week.
- If you'd like to store it longer, you can freeze it in smaller portions for up to 3 months - just thaw overnight in the fridge when you're ready to use it.
- To reheat, simply warm the sauce gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until heated through.
More cozy recipes to try
If you've tried this pineapple BBQ sauce recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how it turned out.
And if you're looking for more delicious inspiration, follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!
Pineapple BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pineapple finely chopped
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the pineapple, ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple juice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.1 cup fresh pineapple1 cup ketchup½ cup brown sugar1 cup pineapple juice1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon onion powder½ teaspoon smoked paprika¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon ground black pepper2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Stir well to mix everything together, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the pineapple softens.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Let the sauce cool slightly, then blend with an immersion blender for a smooth finish or leave it chunky for extra texture.
- Serve warm or let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Video
Notes
- Chop the pineapple finely so it cooks down easily and blends smoothly into the sauce.
- Let the sauce simmer uncovered to help it thicken.
Tina says
We absolutely love this sauce!
And we use it on everything!