Grilled Tequila-Pineapple Skewers
Love the flavor of tequila and pineapple? Check out these amazing Grilled Tequila-Pineapple Skewers! They’re fruity, smoky, and grilled to perfection, and the tequila flavor really comes through. As a fun side dish or snack, these skewers will be the hit of every party!
Nothing says flavor quite like pineapple, and these fun-to-make-and-eat skewers are just the thing to add to any BBQ, cookout, or party. They’re an easy fix, and with so much juicy flavor in every bite, everyone will love them!
Grilled Tequila-Pineapple Skewers
I love making these skewers anytime I fire up the grill. They don’t take up much room, and I can get them ready ahead of time so that they’re ready to pop onto the grill. They’re brushed with sugar and a bit of spice, and the tequila puts them over the top.
Fresh pineapple is the way to go with this recipe. Buy a nice big one from the store and trim it up yourself. Or, to save a bit of time, you can buy it already cut into cubes. Don’t use canned pineapple because it has a one-note flavor and is really quite soggy from being packed in juice.
Why I love this recipe
- It’s easy, delicious, and can be made ahead of time. You can even grill it ahead of time and serve it with your feast.
- They’re fun to make, and food on a stick always tastes better!
- This is a great side dish for pool parties, BBQs, outdoor parties, and more.
Gather these ingredients
- Pineapple – 1 large pineapple; peeled, cored, and cut into wedges.
- Tequila
- Cilantro – Fresh cilantro; chopped.
- Parsley – Fresh parsley; chopped.
- Dark brown sugar
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt – Just a small pinch to highlight the flavors.
You’ll also need
- Bamboo skewers – 6 to 8 should be enough.
How to make Grilled Tequila-Pineapple Skewers
- Preheat your gas grill to medium heat, or prepare a charcoal grill for indirect heat. Oil or spray the grill grates so the pineapple skewers don’t stick.
- Slice away the top, bottom, and outside of the pineapple, then cut it into 2-inch slices. Remove the core from each slice, and cut the rings into 2×2-inch cubes.
- Thread the pineapple cubes onto the bamboo skewers – the pineapple can touch but don’t shove it all up close together. Set them aside.
- Combine the tequila, chopped cilantro and parsley, dark brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk until the brown sugar is dissolved.
- Add the pineapple skewers to the grill and brush them with the tequila mixture, basting regularly.
- Cook for about 10 minutes, basting regularly and turning the skewers so they cook evenly.
- Remove and serve – on or off the skewers – with your favorite dishes!
Tips & substitutions
- Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to reduce their chance of charring on the grill.
- Like a bit of spice? Add some chipotle powder to the tequila mixture.
- Dark brown sugar adds a bit more depth of flavor, but you can use regular brown sugar if that’s what you have on hand.
- You can make these grilled pineapple skewers non-alcoholic by swapping the tequila for pineapple juice.
- Serve these Grilled Tequila-Pineapple Skewers on or off the skewers, and they can be enjoyed hot, at room temperature, or even chilled.
- Use metal skewers and reuse them again and again.
Serving suggestions
Serve these flavorful Grilled Tequila-Pineapple Skewers with grilled Cornish hens, grilled burgers, grilled shrimp skewers, or anything else you’ve got cooking on the grill! They’re also a tasty addition to fruit boards or any brunch or lunch spread.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can eat the leftovers heated gently, at room temperature, or chilled.
Check out these awesome pineapple recipes while you’re here
Get the Recipe:
Grilled Tequila-Pineapple Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 large pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into wedges
- ¾ cup tequila
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Equipment
- Grill
- 6-8 bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Slice the pineapple in about 2 inch slices, then remove the core and cut into 2×2 cubes.
- Thread the pineapple pieces onto the bamboo skewers; you’ll need 6 to 8 skewers. Set aside.
- In a small bowl combine tequila, cilantro, parsley, dark brown sugar, paprika, chili powder and salt; whisk until completely combined.
- Prepare grill grates with a little bit of oil so the skewers don’t stick.
- Set the pineapple skewers on the grill and brush the pineapples with tequila mixture, basting regularly.
- Cook for 10 minutes, while you keep turning and basting the pineapple.
- Remove skewers from grill and serve with your favorite protein.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
