If you adore sauces that walk on the wild side of sweet and savory, Chili Pineapple Sauce is about to become your go-to condiment. This vibrant, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce takes luscious pineapple and swirls it together with a hit of chili, finishing with just the right amount of sticky gloss. One taste and you’ll realize why it’s perfect for brushing over grilled meats, drizzling atop rice bowls, or as a cheeky dip for anything crispy. Every spoonful is a tropical adventure, ready to wake up even the simplest weeknight dinner!

Chili Pineapple Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of staple ingredients, you’ll create something truly special—each element playing its own delicious part. These simple ingredients are key to capturing the fresh, bold flavors and gorgeous color that make this sauce irresistible.

Pineapple chunks (1½ cups, fresh or canned): The juicy, golden foundation, bringing brightness and natural sweetness that shines in every bite.
Pineapple juice (1 tablespoon): Extra juiciness that smooths out the sauce and amps up the fruity notes.
Chili garlic sauce (1–2 tablespoons): The fiery kick! Adjust to your liking for a gentle warmth or bold, spicy punch.
Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon): Balances sweetness with a delicate tang, making the sauce lip-smackingly zippy.
Soy sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds savory depth and a subtle saltiness for beautiful umami undertones.
Honey (1 tablespoon): Gives the sauce its signature stickiness and smooths out the sharp edges of vinegar and spice.
Cornstarch mixed with water (1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water): This quick slurry thickens the sauce to its glossy, pourable consistency.

How to Make Chili Pineapple Sauce

Step 1: Blend the Base

Get your blender or food processor ready—this first step is all about creating that fragrant, tropical foundation. Toss in the pineapple chunks, that splash of pineapple juice, your chili garlic sauce (start with less if you’re heat-shy), rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey. Blitz everything until it’s gloriously smooth and combined. If you want your Chili Pineapple Sauce with a little texture, go ahead and pulse instead of pureeing completely!

Step 2: Simmer to Perfection

Pour your blended mixture into a small saucepan and set it over medium heat. Let the sauce come up to a cheerful simmer, giving it the occasional stir. This not only thickens up the flavors but fills your kitchen with tropical, savory aromas that are an instant mood booster.

Step 3: Thicken Things Up

Now for the secret to that luscious, clingy texture—cornstarch slurry! Stir together your teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water, then pour it into the simmering sauce. Keep stirring for 2–3 minutes as the Chili Pineapple Sauce magically thickens and takes on its glossy, dreamy appearance.

Step 4: Cool and Serve

Once your sauce is thick and bubbling, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. As it settles, the flavors really marry and it turns silky. Pour into a bowl or jar—it’s ready for dipping, drizzling, or slathering onto anything that needs a boost of sweet-heat!

How to Serve Chili Pineapple Sauce

Garnishes

Garnishing elevates your Chili Pineapple Sauce from simple to show-stopping. A sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro provides a pop of green freshness, while thinly sliced red chili peppers look beautiful and warn of the spicy kick within. For extra flair, scatter a few toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving.

Side Dishes

Few things pair as effortlessly with Chili Pineapple Sauce as a mountain of steaming jasmine rice or fluffy quinoa. For even more excitement, offer crispy spring rolls, grilled shrimp skewers, or golden fried chicken bites—all perfect for generous dunking or drizzling.

Creative Ways to Present

This sauce is a flavor powerhouse, so don’t be shy with your presentation! Try brushing it on as a glaze for grilled salmon or tofu, or swirl it through a stir-fry just before serving. Even better, pour it into mini dipping bowls and arrange around a platter for sharing—everyone will be fighting for the last drop!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Chili Pineapple Sauce keeps beautifully in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. As it rests, the flavors deepen, making your leftovers even punchier the next time around. If it thickens too much, just stir in a splash of warm water to loosen.

Freezing

Want to have this sunshine-in-a-jar available anytime? Good news: you can freeze Chili Pineapple Sauce! Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers (leaving a little room for expansion) and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.

Reheating

To bring your sauce back to its original glory, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. If it’s a tad too thick, a spoonful of water or pineapple juice will bring back that perfect pouring consistency.

FAQs

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Definitely! Canned pineapple works wonders in this recipe—just make sure to choose varieties packed in juice, not syrup, for the freshest flavor and balanced sweetness in your Chili Pineapple Sauce.

Is Chili Pineapple Sauce vegan and gluten-free?

Yes, as written, it’s both vegan and gluten-free—just make sure your soy sauce is certified gluten-free if that’s a concern. The whole family can dig in with dietary peace of mind!

How can I adjust the spiciness?

It’s totally customizable. Start with one tablespoon of chili garlic sauce for mild heat, or amp it up to two if you love things fiery. You can even add a little extra honey if you need to mellow the spice.

Can I use Chili Pineapple Sauce as a marinade?

Absolutely! The acidity from the pineapple and vinegar makes this sauce excellent for marinating chicken, tofu, or shrimp. Just save some extra for basting or dipping after cooking for maximum flavor.

What if I want the sauce chunkier?

For a delightful change in texture, simply pulse the pineapple instead of blending all the way, leaving little fruity bits throughout your Chili Pineapple Sauce for delicious bursts of flavor in every bite.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to enliven your next meal with something bright, bold, and utterly crave-worthy, give this Chili Pineapple Sauce a whirl. It’s the kind of recipe that instantly perks up plates and brings tropical excitement to even the simplest dishes—go on, you’ll be putting it on everything!

Chili Pineapple Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1¼ cups 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Chili Pineapple Sauce recipe combines the sweetness of pineapple with a spicy kick of chili garlic sauce, creating a versatile and flavorful condiment for various dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

Fresh or Canned Pineapple Sauce:

1½ cups fresh or canned pineapple chunks
1 tablespoon pineapple juice

Chili Pineapple Sauce:

1–2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (adjust to heat preference)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

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Instructions

Blend Ingredients: Add pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
Cook Sauce: Pour the mixture into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Cool and Serve: Remove from heat and let cool before serving. Use as a dip, glaze, or stir-fry sauce.