Easy Roasted Pineapple Barbecue Sauce
Transform your grilling game with this irresistible Roasted Pineapple Barbecue Sauce that perfectly balances sweet, tangy pineapple with smoky spices. By roasting the pineapple first, you’ll unlock deep caramelized flavors that take this sauce from good to absolutely unforgettable.
My easy roasted pineapple barbecue sauce recipe has the perfect combination of tangy, smoky flavors! Don’t let making this easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe intimidate you. It is actually so easy to make!
Unlike the mass-produced sauces in the grocery stores loaded with preservatives, artificial flavors, and excessive high-fructose corn syrup, this homemade pineapple BBQ sauce lets you adjust the sweetness, spice, and tang to your exact preferences while using fresh, whole ingredients you can actually pronounce!
Whether you’re planning on glazing ribs, dipping chicken wings, or looking for the perfect finishing touch for pulled pork sandwiches, this sauce delivers layers of complex flavor that’ll have everyone asking for your secret recipe!
Ingredients Needed
To make a homemade roasted pineapple barbecue sauce, you will need:
- Fresh Pineapple: Fresh pineapple is key for the best flavor. It will caramelize beautifully in the oven!
- Onion: I like to roast the onion along with the pineapple to create a deeper, savory flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness and makes the sauce thicker. Plus, it balances out the tanginess from the pineapple!
- Ketchup: Ketchup is the base of this barbecue sauce. Use your favorite store-bought brand.
- Worcestershire Sauce: For a deep, umami flavor! Alternatively, you can use soy sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a savory flavor here, too.
- Smoked Paprika: This provides the perfect amount of smoky flavor!
- Salt: To round out the pineapple barbecue sauce.
- Red pepper flakes: This is optional, if you like a bit of spice!
Substitutions & Additions
Luckily, this roasted pineapple barbecue sauce recipe is pretty versatile. Here are some substitutions you can make if needed:
- Canned pineapple can work in a pinch, though fresh gives the best caramelization! If you use canned, drain thoroughly before roasting.
- If you don’t want to slice a whole pineapple, you can buy pre-sliced pineapple at the store instead!
- Red onion can be substituted for yellow or white onion for a slightly sharper flavor.
- If you aren’t a fan of spice, feel free to omit the red pepper flakes completely, or adjust according to your taste.
- Smoked paprika can be replaced with regular paprika, but you won’t have the same amount of smokiness in the barbecue sauce.
- For an extra tangy flavor, add a dash of apple cider vinegar!
- Instead of the brown sugar, you can use white sugar, honey or molasses
- Add a squeeze of yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
How to Make Roasted Pineapple Barbecue Sauce
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Roast the Onion & Pineapple: Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place fresh pineapple and onion chunks on the baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until they begin to soften and caramelize.
- Blend: Remove the pineapple and onion from the oven, and carefully transfer to a blender. Puree until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients in a Saucepan: To a saucepan, add pineapple puree and all remaining ingredients. Heat gently over low-medium heat, then allow to simmer, uncovered for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve over grilled chicken or pork.
I know it may be tempting to skip the roasting step, but I beg you not too! It adds so much deep, mellow flavor through the caramelization you get in the roasting process.
If you already have the grill fired up, you can absolutely grill the pineapple and onions. Yum!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this easy homemade barbecue sauce with all your grilled favorites! I like to brush it onto smoked chicken breast, a grilled burger, baby back ribs, or grilled pork tenderloin in the last few minutes of cooking and serve a little extra on the side.
It also works great as a dipping sauce for chicken wings, pork meatballs, chicken tenders, or even potato wedges.
You can drizzle it on top of pulled pork sandwiches or BBQ pulled pork nachos, mix it up with mayo for a tropical-inspired dip, or even spread it onto a BBQ chicken pizza as a pizza sauce! The possibilities are endless!
Storing Pineapple Barbecue Sauce
You can store any leftover pineapple BBQ sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I like to store it in a mason jar and keep it on hand during grilling season.
The sauce may thicken when chilled, but you can leave it at room temperature for a few minutes and stir well before using.
If you make this easy BBQ sauce, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below!
Roasted Pineapple Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pineapple cubed
- 1/2 yellow or white onion peeled and chopped
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place fresh pineapple and onion chunks on the baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until they begin to soften and caramelize.
- Remove the pineapple and onion from the oven, and carefully transfer to a blender. Puree until smooth.
- To a saucepan, add pineapple puree and all remaining ingredients. Heat gently over low-medium heat, then allow to simmer, uncovered for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.
- Serve over grilled chicken or pork.
