Easy Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce

Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce is a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce made with fresh pineapple, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices. It has a tropical touch that pairs well with grilled meats and seafood.

The pineapple adds natural sweetness and mild acidity. Ginger and jalapeno bring warmth and light heat. This style of pineapple BBQ sauce is popular for Hawaiian chicken, ribs, and island-style cookouts.

This Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce works on ribs, shrimp kebabs, grilled chicken, or even as a pineapple BBQ marinade. Once you try this homemade version, the bottled ones won’t compare.

Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce?

You’ll love this Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce because it delivers sweet pineapple flavour, gentle heat, and smoky depth in one spoonful. It tastes fresh, not overly thick or sugary like many bottled barbecue sauces.

I make it in one pan with simple ingredients and no special tools. You can adjust the spice, sweetness, or thickness to match your taste. It works for ribs, chicken, shrimp, and even as a dipping sauce for cookouts.

How To Make Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce?

Recipe Overview

Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce is a sweet and tangy homemade sauce made with fresh pineapple, ginger, and brown sugar that’s perfect for grilling and marinating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Cuisine: American, Caribbean
• Course: Sauce/Condiment
• Difficulty: Easy
• Calories: ~70 per 2 tablespoons
• Servings: 10 servings

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Blender or immersion blender

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
• 1½ cups fresh pineapple
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• ¼ cup golden rum
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon molasses

Ingredient Notes

1. Fresh Pineapple: Gives the best flavor. You can use canned pineapple BBQ sauce-style by draining the canned pineapple well.

2. Golden Rum: Adds depth. Alcohol cooks off, leaving flavor behind.

3. Jalapeno: Controls heat. Remove seeds for mild sauce.

4. Molasses: Adds rich color and depth, similar to classic BBQ sauce.

5. Ginger: Freshly grated ginger gives better flavor than powdered.

Instruction

Step 1: Sauté the Base

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in garlic, jalapeno, and grated ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Add Pineapple

Add fresh pineapple chunks and pineapple juice. Let it cook for 5 minutes to soften. This helps release natural sweetness.

Step 3: Build the Flavor

Stir in brown sugar, dry mustard, cayenne, salt, black pepper, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, and golden rum. Mix well.

Step 4: Simmer

Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 12–15 minutes. Stir occasionally. The sauce will thicken slightly.

Step 5: Blend

Turn off the heat. Let it cool slightly, then blend until smooth. I like mine slightly thick but still pourable for pineapple bbq sauce for chicken and ribs.

Step 6: Adjust

Taste and adjust salt, sweetness, or spice. Add more vinegar if you want extra tang.

Nutrition (Per 2 Tablespoons Approx.)

• Calories: 70
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Sugar: 12g
• Fat: 1g
• Sodium: 150mg

Tips and Variations

✅ Spicy Pineapple BBQ Sauce Recipe: Keep jalapeno seeds and add extra cayenne.

✅ No Rum Version: Replace rum with extra pineapple juice.

✅ Thicker Sauce: Simmer longer for hawaiian pineapple bbq sauce for ribs.

✅ Marinade Option: Use it as a pineapple bbq marinade for chicken pieces before grilling.

✅ Crockpot Idea: Try it in crockpot hawaiian chicken with bbq sauce and pineapple.

Serving Suggestions

1. Brush over grilled chicken pieces.

2. Glaze ribs during the last 10 minutes of grilling.

3. Toss with shrimp kebabs for cookouts.

4. Serve beside grilled burgers.

5. Use as a dipping sauce for fries or roasted vegetables.

If you enjoy King’s Hawaiian sweet pineapple bbq sauce or hawaiian bros pineapple bbq sauce, this homemade version gives you that island flavor with fresher taste.

Storing Tips

✅ Store in an airtight jar in the fridge up to 1 week.

✅ Freeze for up to 2 months.

✅ Reheat gently on the stove before serving.

✅ Stir well after storing since natural separation can happen.

Recipe Notes

• Let the sauce cool before blending to avoid splatter.
• Taste after blending for a balanced flavor.
• For a smoother texture, strain after blending.
• Works great for Hawaiian chicken with bbq sauce and pineapple.

FAQs – Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce

Final Thoughts

I love making this best Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce at home for summer cookouts and simple weeknight dinners. It’s sweet, tangy, and just a little spicy.
Try it once and see how it changes your grilled chicken or ribs. If you make this Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ sauce recipe, tell me how you used it. I’d love to hear your twist on it!

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