This 3-ingredient Pineapple Sauce is a breeze to make! Its balance of sweetness and tang pairs well with pancakes, ice cream, savory dishes or as a dessert topping.
With just three ingredients—pineapple, sugar, and water—you can make a sauce that’s not only versatile but also incredibly easy to prepare.
It’s the kind of recipe I love to keep on hand for when I need a last-minute way to jazz up pancakes or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This sauce delivers that tropical punch of flavor without a lot of fuss.
In terms of taste, this pineapple sauce is sweet but not overly so, with just the right amount of tartness from the fruit.
The sugar helps bring out the natural sweetness of the pineapple, while the water creates a nice syrupy consistency.
If you’ve ever had pineapple on pizza and liked the balance of sweet and savory, you’ll appreciate what this sauce can do, especially in savory applications. I know some of you like it drizzled over grilled chicken or ham, but I like it over pancakes, cheesecake, or even stirred into yogurt or oatmeal.
I love turning simple fruits into something special - you've got to try Melon Compote, Grilled Nectarines, or Strawberries and Cream.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With just three basic ingredients and less than 10 minutes of cooking time, this sauce is one of the simplest recipes out there.
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need pineapple (fresh, canned or frozen), sugar and water for this sweet pineapple sauce recipe.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the sweetness or add extra flavors like spices or citrus.
- Tropical Flavor: The pineapple adds a bright, fruity note that can bring any dish to life.
Ingredients
- Pineapple Chunks: The star of the show! You can use fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple for this recipe. If you use canned, just be sure to drain it first. Frozen pineapple doesn’t even need to be thawed before adding it to the pot. The fresh pineapple will give you a slightly brighter flavor, while canned is often more convenient.
- White Sugar: This balances the tartness of the pineapple and helps create the syrupy texture. If you prefer a slightly less sweet sauce, you can reduce the amount or even substitute with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. You can also use brown sugar, but the flavor will be slightly different and it will darken the colour.
- Water: The water helps to thin out the sauce and keeps everything from getting too sticky. It also creates a syrupy consistency that makes the sauce perfect for drizzling.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Pineapple Sauce
Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.
Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
Serving Suggestions
- Drizzle Over Desserts: This sauce is perfect poured over vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or even a warm slice of pound cake. Try it on Pineapple Pound Cake with an extra drizzle of Pineapple Syrup.
- On Pancakes and Waffles: Try spooning this pineapple sauce over your favorite breakfast foods like these Breakfast Pancakes or Cinnamon French Toast.
- Yogurt Topping: Stir it into plain or vanilla yogurt for a tropical twist. Or layer it into a Walnut Granola Breakfast Parfait.
- Cocktail Mix-In: A spoonful of this sauce in your next cocktail can add a fruity sweetness to margaritas or piña coladas. Try it in one of these 40 Best Cocktail Recipes to Make at Home or Poolside Drinks.
Variations
- Spiced Pineapple Sauce: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of ginger for a warm, spiced version of this sauce.
- Citrus Twist: Stir in a little lemon or lime juice at the end to brighten up the sauce with a zesty kick.
- Honey Pineapple Sauce: Swap out the sugar for honey for a more floral, natural sweetness.
- Coconut-Pineapple Sauce: Add a splash of coconut milk to make this sauce creamier and give it a tropical, piña colada vibe. Or, pair it with some Toasted Coconut Syrup or Toasted Shredded Coconut.
- Pineapple and Chili Sauce: For a savory twist, mix in a pinch of chili flakes or fresh chili for a spicy-sweet contrast that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
Storage
Store: This pineapple sauce stores beautifully in the fridge. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.
Freeze: To freeze, pour the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container or ice cube trays for easy portioning. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
Top tips
- Don’t Overcook: The sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit runny when you first take it off the heat. It will firm up as it cools.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a more tart sauce, you can reduce the sugar by a quarter or even add a splash of lemon juice to brighten it up.
- For Smooth Sauce: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it after cooking. Use an immersion blender or transfer it to a regular blender for a few pulses.
- Less Chunky: Chop up your pineapple into smaller pieces if you want a less chunky pineapple sauce.
FAQs
Yes, pineapple juice will make the sauce even sweeter and more intensely flavored with no chunks.
Absolutely! Brown sugar will give the sauce a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
Nope! You can add frozen pineapple directly to the pot without thawing.
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📖 Recipe
Pineapple Sauce
Equipment
- Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple chunks fresh, canned or frozen - no need to thaw
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
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