Grilled Pineapple and Spam Skewers with Tangy Teriyaki Glaze
Sweet grilled pineapple chunks and savory Spam cubes glazed with a homemade teriyaki sauce, served on skewers for a perfect Tiki-inspired appetizer. This asian fusion-inspired grilling ready in about 27 minutes pairs Spam, diced into 1-inch cubes, Fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks, Soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Spam, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup Fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove Minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp Water
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 6 skewers Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3 minutes until sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water to create a slurry, then whisk into the simmering sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: Thread the 12 oz diced Spam and 1 cup pineapple chunks alternately onto 6 soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 3 minutes per side, brushing generously with the teriyaki glaze and cooking until edges are caramelized and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with remaining glaze for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Pineapple and Spam Skewers with Tangy Teriyaki Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Pineapple and Spam Skewers with Tangy Teriyaki Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spam, diced into 1-inch cubes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Pineapple and Spam Skewers with Tangy Teriyaki Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Pineapple and Spam Skewers with Tangy Teriyaki Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Pineapple and Spam Skewers with Tangy Teriyaki Glaze?
Asian Fusion grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.