The sweet and tangy taste of pineapple can turn almost any meal into a culinary trip to the islands. You can feel good about eating the fruit, because it is a superfood that’s loaded with vitamin C and fiber.
Pineapple fits into so many kinds of meals, from smoothies and sweet desserts to salads and meaty entrees. (Fun fact: Pineapple is also rich in bromelain, a natural enzyme that tenderizes meat as it cooks and helps your body absorb protein and other nutrients!)
To help you get a taste of the tropics wherever you are, we gathered our favorite pineapple recipes. Many of them can be made with frozen pineapple, so you don’t have to worry about finding a perfectly ripe fruit or hitting the grocery store when you’re craving its flavor.
The best part? Not only are these pineapple recipes delicious but they are also approved by the expert dietitians at Nutrisystem, so you can enjoy them as you’re losing weight.
Fruit crisps are a simple way to enjoy the freshest flavors of the season. While crisps are often made with berries or peaches, pineapple and mango chunks give this version a sweet taste and pleasantly gooey texture.
After cooking the fruit until it’s tender, you top it with a crunchy mix of oats, whole wheat flour, butter, coconut sugar and shredded coconut. Your treat comes out of the oven warm and fragrant, with a golden-brown topping and luscious fruit underneath. You can serve it on special occasions but it’s so easy to make any day you want a treat.
Get the Tropical Pineapple Mango Crisp recipe.
The savory flavor of roasted pork and the sweetness of pineapple are a popular combination in the cuisine of Hawaii and other tropical places. We bring them together in this meal, which starts with a lean pork tenderloin. It’s paired with the fruit and a jalapeno pepper, for a little hint of heat, and seasoned with teriyaki sauce.
It all heats up gradually in a slow cooker until the meat is fork tender and infused with the other flavors. You can eat the pork sliced up with veggies or shred it to enjoy on a sandwich or in a tortilla.
Get the Spicy Pineapple Teriyaki Pork recipe.
Grilling pineapple caramelizes its natural sugars, dialing up its sweetness and bringing out deeper flavors. To make this healthy snack, you toss chunks of pineapple with a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon. The fruit goes into a preheated air fryer, a handy appliance that cooks without added oils or fats, or onto a warm grill.
In about 15 minutes, the pineapple becomes warm, tender and loaded with flavor. If you like the contrast between sweet and spicy, you can add chili powder or ground ginger to the sugar and cinnamon blend.
Get the Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Grilled Pineapple recipe.
Popsicles you buy in stores often are loaded with so much added sugar. Good news: you can make your own cool and fruity pops in minutes at home that are healthy, beautiful to look at and oh-so refreshing on a hot day.
All you do is blend fresh strawberries with water and, separately, whip together pineapple chunks and water. Pour those fluids into popsicle molds in alternating layers, push in the popsicle sticks and freeze. They are so naturally sweet and colorful, don’t be surprised when the rest of the family asks for one.
Get the Strawberry Pineapple Popsicles recipe.
We love smoothies, especially on sweltering days, because they cool us off and fill us up without weighing us down. This smoothie is easy to make with pineapple chunks, and a scoop each of the vanilla and chocolate Nutrisystem Shake Mix for flavor and protein.
Along with the pineapple and the shake mix, all you need is ice and cold water. The protein fuels you up for a busy day and the smoothie is easy to take along wherever you’re going.
Get the Pineapple Delight Smoothie recipe.
A Nutrisystem member shared this delicious idea for starting your day with tropical flavor and lots of filling fiber. The pineapple is paired with raisins for a taste that’s naturally sweet and tart. They’re blended with quick-cooking oats and spices including cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg and cloves. No eggs, flour, or added sugar needed.
It all bakes in the oven for about 25 minutes until firm, brown and ready to slice into perfectly portioned bars. Each batch makes eight bars, so you can freeze the extras and take one out whenever you want a quick, satisfying breakfast at home or on the go.
Get the Pineapple Oatmeal Breakfast Bars recipe.
Mahi mahi is a tropical fish with a mild, lightly sweet flavor and white, flaky flesh. It’s firm enough for you to grill it but it comes out fork tender when steamed.
For this dish, we cook it quickly in a skillet and top it with a sweet and fruity homemade salsa. The topping features pineapple and mango chunks, along with diced red onion, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro for a zesty taste. You can enjoy the salsa on any kind of fish you like or on a grilled chicken breast.
Get the Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Mango Salsa recipe.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh idea for weeknights or an appetizing option for a summer party, try this easy entrée. It’s packed with protein and fresh, fruity flavor from pineapple!
All you do is thread chunks of white meat chicken on skewers along with pieces of sweet bell peppers, red onion and pineapple. Brush them all with barbecue sauce as they cook on the grill, picking up the smoky taste as they heat up. Two skewers make one satisfying meal for anyone.
Get the Pineapple Chicken Kabobs recipe.
Summer is peak season for fresh-picked blackberries. Their lightly tart taste pairs perfectly with the naturally sweet flavor of pineapple.
We like to blend them both with plain non-fat Greek yogurt and non-fat milk to make a creamy drink. Adding kale to the mix bumps up the nutritional content without affecting the flavor. Toss in mint leaves for a little spark of flavor without loading on extra calories.
Get the Pineapple Blackberry Mint Smoothie recipe.
Pineapple Whip is a popular treat in the tropics that is easy to make at home. It’s dairy-free but has the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.
All you need is two ingredients to make our version: frozen pineapple chunks and unsweetened almond milk. They’re blended until smooth and then it’s ready to eat. You can store extra servings in the freezer, but once others see and taste it, you may have to share.
Get the 2-Ingredient Pineapple Whip recipe.
Mango’s peachy flavor is a delicious complement to the tangy taste of pineapple. Enjoy the combo in this hunger-crushing drink that’s so simple to make.
Simply blend chunks of frozen fruit with a serving of Vanilla Nutrisystem Shake Mix and water. The mango gives it such a creamy texture, you might feel like you’re sipping a fruity milkshake.
Get the Pineapple Mango Smoothie recipe.
Whether you’re just hanging out with the family or hosting a party, you can take fresh fruit to a whole new level of flavor. Heating fruit on the grill for just a few minutes brings out its natural sweetness and gives it a pleasing, lightly smoked taste.
Firm slices of pineapple are ideal for grilling alone, or you can try them on skewers with other seasonal options, such as peaches, nectarines, plums and melons. Set them out on a tray and watch as they disappear.
Get the Grilled Fruit Kabobs recipe.
People in the tropics eat spicy foods to kickstart the body’s natural cooling systems. You can feel a little of the heat when you bite into these shrimp. They are succulent and juicy with a light char and a tingle of spices.
The shrimp are served on a base of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, corn, avocado and cilantro. A simple lime dressing is the final note in this medley of flavor.
Get the Spicy Grilled Shrimp Salad recipe.
Wondering if there’s an easy dessert that everyone will love and fits into your weight loss plan? This is the answer.
The crust is a base of graham crackers layered with sliced bananas and strawberries, with vanilla pudding in between. Light whipped topping, diced pineapple, chopped peanuts and melted chocolate chips are the crowning touch.
You don’t bake this cake. It just needs to be refrigerated until firm, about four hours. Slice and serve, making sure to set aside a piece for yourself.
Get the No-Bake Banana Split Cake recipe.
Acai is a super-nutritious berry that’s available in many stores as a frozen puree. It makes a thick and creamy start to a smoothie bowl. For this filling breakfast or lunch, acai puree is blended with pineapple, frozen banana and mixed berries until smooth.
Add your choice of healthy toppings. We like chopped pineapple, mango, kiwi, unsweetened shredded coconut, granola and macadamia nuts. You can make extra servings of the base and store individual portions in your freezer to enjoy on a different day.
Get the Tropical Acai Smoothie Bowl recipe.
You don’t have to be sitting under a palm tree to enjoy a meal that makes you think of sunny skies and balmy breezes. You can make this tasty dinner, featuring high-protein, low-fat white meat chicken.
It’s infused with the sweet and savory flavors of the tropics as it marinates with pineapple and mango chunks, along with lime juice and olive oil. While it cooks in the grill or oven, prepare fiber-rich brown rice with coconut milk in place of the some of the water for another burst of sunny flavor.
Get the Tropical Chicken Tenderloins with Coconut Rice recipe.
Guacamole is a party favorite that you know and love. When it’s your turn to make it, give it a fresh twist.
Simply add pineapple and mango to the avocado, onion, jalapenos, lime juice and cilantro. This version is sweet and zesty, just right for enjoying with chips, veggies or whole wheat pitas!
Get the Tropical Guacamole recipe.
Here’s an idea for a different family meal that will satisfy hearty appetites and keep you on track. It’s easy to make with pre-cooked ham that you cut into slices. They’re topped with pineapple rings and a bit of honey, so the meat sweetens as it heats.
On the side, you get a simple quinoa salad, made with raisins, carrots, green onions and more pineapple. A dressing of pineapple juice, lemon juice and olive oil ensures the salad is moist and flavorful.
Get the Hawaiian Honey Ham and Quinoa Salad recipe.
A dehydrator is a simple kitchen tool that heats food at a low level, drying it out without cooking it. You can use a dehydrator to make healthy snacks like jerky, chips and fruit leather.
One of our favorite fruit leather blends is made with pineapple and mango puree, spiced with chili powder and chili flakes for a bit of heat. All you do is pour the puree into the dehydrator tray, set the proper temperature, and wait eight to 12 hours for it to dry.
Once you make your first batch, you can create your own flavor combos. Try our Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Leather recipe, too!
Get the Tropical Chili Fruit Leather recipe.
When you’re losing weight with Nutrisystem, you’re eating four or more servings of non-starchy vegetables every day. If you’d like to mix up your veggie routine, get out the skewers and fire up the grill.
Marinate cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, purple baby potatoes, pineapple chunks and cubes of chicken breast in red wine vinegar, olive oil and seasonings. Thread them all onto the skewers in a colorful pattern and cook until tender over an open flame. If you can, take a moment to admire the beauty of this dish before digging in.
Get the Rainbow Vegetable Skewers recipe.
Succulent shrimp are paired with romaine lettuce, red bell peppers, pineapple, mango and kiwi for a delightfully sweet and savory dish. We add macadamia nuts for crunch and healthy fats, and shredded coconut for more tropical flavor. The light lemon and thyme vinaigrette dressing finishes the meal with a bright, tart taste.
Get the Tropical Shrimp Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing recipe.
This easy flatbread takes simple ingredients and turns them into a tropical treat. A whole wheat pita is the foundation. On top, layer low-sodium deli ham, provolone cheese, peppery arugula, zesty red onion and fruity pineapple.
Heat it up in the toaster oven until the pita turns crisp, the cheese melts and all the flavors blend together. It takes only about five minutes and you’ll be sitting down to a warm and delicious meal.
Get the Fast Hawaiian Flatbread recipe.
Your everyday burger gets a flavor boost and healthy makeover with this version. It’s made with lean ground turkey seasoned with garlic powder, pepper and Jamaican-style jerk sauce.
The patties are broiled along with pineapple rings, which are placed on top of the burgers when you put them on the buns. The sweet fruit is a tasty contrast to the spicy jerk sauce and the savory burger.
Get the Hawaiian Jerk Burger recipe.
Frozen banana and pineapple make this green drink sweet and thick, while unsweetened coconut water gives it more tropical flair. Add a cup of spinach, which you don’t taste, and Vanilla Nutrisystem Shake Mix, which adds sweetness and plenty of protein. It’s almost as refreshing as a blue-sky day on a white sand beach!
Get the Tropical Green Smoothie recipe.
One bite of this cake will whisk you away to a tropical paradise instantly, courtesy of its blissful blend of sweet pineapple. Our Pineapple Cake recipe serves as a delectable delight for any occasion, brimming with the invigorating essence of pineapple and the nourishing wholesomeness of whole wheat pastry flour.
Get the Pineapple Cake recipe.