There’s nothing like the taste of fresh-cut pineapple. Every bite is sweet, tart, juicy, and bursting with a bright, tropical flavor. It’s no wonder why pineapple is a favorite both in the summer and throughout the rest of the year.
While pineapple is delicious on its own, it’s also a versatile ingredient for endless food and drink recipes, especially as a drink garnish. Pineapple offers a perfect balance for meat marinades, tropical drinks, and summery sweet treats. But what flavors, foods, and fruits pair well with pineapple? Discover some of the best foods and flavors to pair with fresh pineapple, and try some of these delicious ideas next time you pick up a ripe pineapple at the store.
Pork, Seafood, and Other Proteins
Salty flavors pair very well with pineapple. There’s no denying that pineapple pairs well with savory foods. The sweet and tangy flavor of pineapple complements dishes with rich and savory flavors. That’s why many people adore cooked pineapple as a topping on pizza.
Don’t worry—you don’t have to be pro-pineapple on pizza to enjoy the sweet twist pineapple brings to savory dishes. Use pineapple as a marinade for cooked meats; pork, seafood, and ham go particularly well with pineapple. If you use teriyaki or soy sauce in a dish, add some fresh pineapple to create a delightfully sweet and savory marinade.
Caramel and Other Sweet Treats
Desserts are great foods to pair with pineapples. Have you ever noticed a hint of a caramel aroma in your pineapple? That’s because pineapple carries notes of caramel, butter, and other sweet aromas. When it comes to the best foods and flavors to pair with fresh pineapple, desserts are always a good idea. Pineapple upside-down cake is perhaps the most famous example of this, but you can also use pineapple as a topping for ice cream, sorbet, and more.
You can’t go wrong with pineapple and sweet treats. If you don’t want to follow a recipe, experiment with your own sweet flavors. Pineapple pairs excellently with caramel, brown sugar, cream, chocolate, and vanilla.
Tropical Delights
Of course, one of the best ways to enjoy pineapple is with other fresh fruits—especially other tropical fruits. Coconut and pineapple make for a famous combination that you can’t help but fall in love with. A pineapple and coconut pairing works well in baked goods, cold desserts, fresh fruit juices, and cocktails. Other tropical fruits that pair well with pineapple include mangoes, papayas, and bananas.
Pineapple is a delicious and versatile fruit. The possibilities are endless when you can easily make and enjoy fresh pineapple, even the core. Did you know there are ways to enjoy pineapple cores? Juicernet’s collection of pineapple corers makes it easier than ever to peel, core, and cut pineapple for all your recipes. Visit Juicernet today to find the perfect pineapple corer for all your cooking and baking needs and explore more of our blogs to learn about pairing the right foods and flavors with pineapple.
