Rum-Glazed Grilled Pineapple Skewers with Brown Sugar

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sweet and smoky pineapple skewers brushed with a sticky glaze of light rum, brown sugar, and lime, grilled until caramelized and tender. This caribbean-inspired grilling ready in about 22 minutes pairs pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks, light rum, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 110 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup light rum, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the glaze thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  2. Step 2: Thread 3 cups of 1-inch pineapple chunks evenly onto 6 soaked wooden skewers.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush the pineapple skewers generously with the rum glaze.
  4. Step 4: Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing with additional glaze each time, until the pineapple is caramelized with grill marks and tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill and serve warm as a sweet side or dessert, optionally drizzling any extra glaze on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rum-Glazed Grilled Pineapple Skewers with Brown Sugar take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 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 Rum-Glazed Grilled Pineapple Skewers with Brown Sugar?

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 light rum from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rum-Glazed Grilled Pineapple Skewers with Brown Sugar?

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 Rum-Glazed Grilled Pineapple Skewers with Brown Sugar 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 Rum-Glazed Grilled Pineapple Skewers with Brown Sugar?

Caribbean 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.

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