8 Savory Meals Using Pineapples!

Pineapples are great to eat on their own for a sweet treat, or even freeze up and create dole whip. But pineapples aren’t just for sweet recipes; pineapples can be the star of your savory meals, as well. These meals all feature pineapples that act as a pop of sweetness in a savory meal. These meals include everything from fried rice to curry and even grilled cheese! Try out these delicious savory pineapple recipes!

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1. Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Pineapple

Source: Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Pineapple

This Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Pineapple by Chris Bartis is melty, sweet, and salty. It’s simply outta this world. Onions are caramelized and then cooked with fresh pineapple, making the pineapple tender and allowing the flavors to mix. The cheese is stretchy like it should be, and the bread is crisp and buttery from the skillet.

2. South Indian–Style Pineapple Curry

Source: South Indian–Style Pineapple Curry

Like tomato and green chile, pineapple also entered Indian kitchens relatively recently. Over the years, it became highly popular in the southern and coastal regions of India. From fresh juices, sweets, pudding, and raita to curry, pineapple is used profusely in the southern states. This South Indian–Style Pineapple Curry by Hina Gujral is perfect umami with a balance of sweet, spicy, salty, and tart. It tastes finger-licking good with steamed rice and fried papadum. And the pressure cook mode of an Instant Pot cooks the pineapple to perfection, making the curry all the more delicious. Credit: Reprinted with permission from The 100 Best Curries for Your Instant Pot by Hina Gujral. Page Street Publishing Co. 2022. Photo credit: Hina Gujral.

3. Sweet Pineapple Tempeh Stir Fry

Source: Sweet Pineapple Tempeh Stir Fry

This Sweet Pineapple Tempeh Stir Fry by Tara Binder is a delicious, healthy plant-based sweet and sour vegetable pineapple tempeh stir fry.

4. Pineapple Fried Rice

Source: Pineapple Fried Rice

This Pineapple Fried Rice by Best Friends is sweet and savory and wonderful for a weeknight dinner!

5. Warming Jerk Jackfruit with Pineapple, Corn, Peppers and Sweet Potato

Source: Warming Jerk Jackfruit with Pineapple, Corn, Peppers and Sweet Potato

Jackfruit is a very useful vegan alternative to meat. It’s a versatile fruit that absorbs flavors well, making it ideal for savory dishes. You can buy it either in cans or vacuum-packed. In this Warming Jerk Jackfruit with Pineapple, Corn, Peppers and Sweet Potato by Claire Swift and Sarah Biagetti, we have lightly coated the jackfruit with a little bit of delicious jerk spice and balanced the flavors with roasted pineapple, sweet potato wedges, corn on the cob and peppers. This sheet pan meal is a vibrant array of colors and flavors. You can serve it straight from the tray, though our kids also like to load the pineapple, jerk jackfruit, and peppers into tacos with fresh crispy lettuce, rice, and black beans, eating the cobs and the wedges on the side.   Reprinted with permission from The Plant-Based Family Cookbook by Claire Swift and Sarah Biagetti, Page Street Publishing Co. 2021. Photo credit: Claire Swift

6. Pineapple Fried Cauliflower Rice Bowl

Source: Pineapple Fried Cauliflower Rice Bowl

The star of this bowl is the pineapple, which peaks in late spring and into early summer and adds a subtle sweetness to an otherwise savory compilation of vegetables, including mushrooms and peppers. Unlike traditional fried rice, this Pineapple Fried Cauliflower Rice Bowl by Plant Power Bowls, Sapana Chandra uses cauliflower rice.

7. Pineapple Baked Ham

Source: Pineapple Baked Ham

The holiday ham, adorned with pineapple rings, is a magazine cover-ready classic. Here, you can stroll down memory lane with a plant-based version, complete with a layer of white “fat” wrapped around it and a sweet, pineapple glaze. You have to try this Pineapple Baked Ham by Plant-Based Meats, Robin Asbell!

8. Roasted Veggies and Pineapple With Tahini Sesame Sauce

Source: Roasted Veggies and Pineapple With Tahini Sesame Sauce

Savory vegetables and sesame tahini sauce meet sweet pineapple to create a delicious, nutritious, and filling Asian entree.

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