16 Refreshing Pineapple Recipes to Bring a Taste of the Tropics to Your Plate

By Lisa Esile, MS,

With its golden hue, sweet-tart flavor, and drip-down-your-chin juiciness, pineapple is one of those stellar ingredients that can turn a ho-hum recipe into a great one.  In this delicious collection of sweet and savory vegan pineapple recipes, you’ll find everything from cool nice cream to hearty burgers, supremely munchable wraps, satisfying salads, succulent stir-fries, creamy oatmeal, party-ready pizza, and so much more. If eating healthy is important to you, we’ve got you covered: All the recipes are oil-free and made with whole-food, plant-based ingredients.

For more outstanding recipes, check out these Best Summer Vegan Grill Recipes.

Pineapple Cucumber Salad

Pineapple Cucumber Salad

Made with just three ingredients—juicy fresh pineapple, cooling cucumber, and fresh mint—this snappy salad is deliciously refreshing and will stand out at any summer barbecue. Scoop out a serving as a snack, or serve alongside veggie burgers or grilled veggie steaks. One delighted fan shares, “Everyone at a church potluck enjoyed this and thought it was really good.”
caramelized pineapple nice cream with chunks of toasted pineapple on top in a rectangular metal tin

Caramelized Pineapple Nice Cream

Featuring grilled pineapple blended with frozen banana and plant milk, this creamy, soft-serve-style vegan nice cream is healthier than traditional dairy-based ice cream—and tastes better, too! For an extra special presentation, top with additional caramelized pineapple chunks. Eat immediately or store in the freezer for up to a week. Note: The recipe calls for fresh pineapple, but you can use canned pineapple; just pat dry any juice before broiling.
Tropical Slow-Cooker Oatmeal in blue glass bowls on a wooden table as a woman's hand reaches for one bowl

Tropical Slow-Cooker Oatmeal

Ideal for a special breakfast or every day, this heavenly slow-cooker oatmeal saves time in the morning and is like dessert for breakfast. Crushed pineapple, grated carrot, and toasted coconut flakes give it a warm and welcoming tropical flavor profile, and steel-cut oats become creamy while retaining some structure. Writes a commenter, “Can you feel the palm fronds waving in the breeze? This is a go-to staple. Love the tropical profile!”

Thai Fruit Skewers with Coconut and Lime

Marinated in coconut milk, lime zest, and cayenne pepper, these delectable fresh fruit skewers will be remembered long after you’ve finished licking your fingers. Pineapple, kiwi, papaya, and mango work well here, but feel free to get creative and use available fresh fruits. Serving the fruit on skewers makes it easy to savor the unique and delicious flavors; however, you could also throw all the ingredients into a bowl for a showstopping salad. Notes a reviewer, “Made this with Pad Thai as a side dish on a bed of lettuce. It was beautiful and had a wonderfully fresh burst of flavors. You will not be disappointed.”
vegan fried rice

No-Fry Fried Rice

This vibrant stir-fry from Carbolicious author Bonny Rebecca, features an array of colorful veggies, fresh or canned pineapple, and a simple ginger- and garlic-infused teriyaki sauce. Serve over jasmine rice for an aromatic, veggie-forward meal you’ll never tire of. A commenter shares, “My husband and I both loved this recipe—and he’s not fully into plant-based!”
Colorful grain bowls with greens and sliced, crispy plantain chips, seasoned with jerk spices

Jerk Grain Bowls with Air-Fried Plantain Chips

Juicy pineapple, nutty coconut flakes, and crispy jerk-seasoned plantain chips add a tropical flair to this hearty grain bowl. Fresh arugula adds a peppery base, red or orange bell pepper adds color and sweetness, and a simple dressing of jerk-seasoned pineapple juice ties everything together nicely. Note: The recipe uses a three-grain mix of steel-cut oats, sorghum, and wild rice, but feel free to use whatever grains you have on hand.
Cauliflower Barbecue Vegan Pizza Made at Home - shown on gray surface

BBQ Cauliflower and Pineapple Pizza

In this crowd-pleasing vegan pizza, succulent pineapple teams up with a smoky barbecue sauce for a sensational sweet-savory burst of flavor, while cauliflower and cannellini beans soak it all in. Use a store-bought oil-free pizza crust, or make your own. For a gluten-free option, use our Quick Cornmeal Pizza Crust (Gluten-Free). Raves a happy fan, “This is very delicious. It will become my new go-to treat. My friends want me to make it for them!”

Pineapple-Vanilla Granita

With a top-notch ingredient like fresh pineapple, the less you do to it, the better. In this sorbet-like granita, the sweet-tart flavor of pineapple is enhanced with a splash of maple syrup, vanilla bean, lemon juice, and mint leaves, resulting in a cooling, palate-cleansing treat. Shares a reviewer, “Very good, very fast, and easy to make.”
Banana Split Oatmeal Bowls in a white dish with a bowl of strawberries to the left

Banana Split Oatmeal Bowls

In this mouthwatering breakfast bowl, oats are cooked with mashed banana and plant milk to heighten the sweetness naturally and make everything magnificently creamy. Top with fresh or crushed pineapple and other fruits such as strawberries and blueberries. For extra pizzazz, sprinkle a few vegan chocolate chips over the top. Writes a fan, “Delish, thanks. I added some walnut and hemp seed.”
Pineapple Ginger Smoothie in a glass jar next to fresh ginger root and turmeric against a green wood backdrop

Pineapple Ginger Smoothie

Ginger and turmeric give an invigorating lift to this sweet and creamy vegan smoothie, while oats add earthy heft to the fruity flavors. This slushy treat is the perfect hunger-buster any day of the year. Have fun experimenting with other tasty additions, such as chia seeds, hemp seeds, and a pinch of freshly ground cardamom. Note: This recipe calls for the banana and pineapple to be frozen, so be sure to have that ready before you start.
Teriyaki Burger with carrot pickle

Pineapple Teriyaki Burgers

In these beautiful breadless vegan burgers, caramelized grilled pineapple steaks perfectly complement the teriyaki-infused mushroom and rice patty. Serve over lettuce with a quick carrot pickle for an unforgettable summer meal you’ll make again and again. One reviewer offers, “This was quite tasty. I made the mistake of using a bun instead of the recommended bibb or red-leaf lettuce. Stick with the lettuce as I think the bun dulled the flavors a bit.”

Spinach, Pineapple, and Strawberry Salad

In this lively warm-weather salad, spinach’s tender dark green leaves perfectly set off the sweet-tart juicy flavors of fresh strawberries and caramelized grilled pineapple. Throw in a handful of crunchy edamame, fresh chives, nutty toasted almonds, and a drizzle of strawberry-Dijon vinaigrette for a colorful, texture-rich salad that’s a treat for your eyes as well as your taste buds. One fan describes the dressing as “the best [they’ve] ever tasted!”
Fresh Pineapple and Barley Salad being tossed with a fork and spoon while sitting on a wood tabletop

Fresh Pineapple and Barley Salad

Sick of the same old salad? Looking for a special vegan side dish to take to a gathering? This unique and tasty salad perfectly pairs the chewy, nutty tones of cooked barley with juicy sweet pineapple, soft butter lettuce, crunchy red bell pepper, and tangy scallions. Top with fresh-cut parsley or cilantro and a creamy orange-scented cashew dressing. Note: If you don’t have barley, use brown rice instead.
Stir-Fry Wraps with Peanut Dipping Sauce on a pink tray

Stir-Fry Wraps with Peanut Dipping Sauce

These finger-licking-good vegan wraps feature garlicky, umami-rich cremini mushrooms, crisp snow pea pods, soft butter lettuce, fresh herbs, and earthy brown rice in rice paper wrappers. Adding juicy fresh-cut pineapple and a splash of lime-infused peanut butter sauce really takes them over the top. The wraps are made by making a cone from rice paper, using parchment paper for structure. Shares a fan, “Awesome recipe. I subbed mango instead of pineapple and added soy sauce instead of water to the sauce to balance it out. Second time serving it in a week!“
Tempeh BBQ Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw on a white plate

Tempeh BBQ Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw

In this cookout-approved meal, an easy homemade pineapple slaw serves as the perfect complement to delicious barbecue tempeh sandwiches. The juicy slaw is equally delicious with any other veggie burger. Red cabbage provides bright red color and a satisfying crunch, while juicy pineapple adds tantalizing sweetness to every bite. Throw in a few finely chopped scallions and a dash of brown rice vinegar, and this versatile summer slaw is ready to go. Shares a commenter, “When I ran out of slaw and pineapple, I made some more with cut orange pieces instead of pineapple, and that worked well too.”
Rainbow Fruit Salad Platter with Citrus Drizzle

Rainbow Fruit Salad Platter with Citrus Drizzle

A party is not a party without a big beautiful platter of fresh fruit. Stunning to look at and always first to go, this bounty of fresh fruit is drizzled with a cinnamon- and ginger-infused citrus dressing. When selecting the fruit, pick ripe in-season fruits of different colors such as pineapple, strawberries, stone fruit, melons, kiwi, and anything else that tickles your fancy. One reviewer says, “This is awesome and easy but has the best of everything.”

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About the Author

Headshot of Lisa Esile, MS

About the Author

Lisa Esile, MS

Lisa Esile is an author, illustrator, blogger, vegetable gardener, and whole-food enthusiast with a special fondness for potatoes. She has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is passionate about showing people how to live happier, healthier lives. She is the author of Reach Your Big Calm and the co-author of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Find her on Facebook.
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