Easy Marinades For Summer Grilling

Shake things up with a fresh taste of the tropics

Whether you're grilling for a crowd on the Fourth or for a few friends on a Friday night, you already know that the right marinade makes life so much easier. Instead of the usual steakhouse–inspired flavors, take your guests on a trip to the tropics by adding a splash of DOLE® Canned Pineapple Juice to the mix. No longer just for drinks like the Blue Curaçao Tiki Cocktail or Mai Tai, pineapple juice is the perfect ingredient for punching up marinades and sauces.

When used in a marinade, the naturally acidic quality of Dole's pineapple juice helps tenderize meat, while adding a honeyed flavor once grilled. The sweetness cuts through the savory soy sauce in the Hawaiian marinade recipe below. Though this marinade works for any meat, it shines with chicken, pork and seafood, especially in dishes like Island Chicken Skewers and Tropical Grilled Salmon.

Click here for the printable guide.

This tropical fruit also helps counter spicier ingredients, which is a sweet relief when making Pineapple Salsa. Dole Pineapple Juice balances the chipotle peppers in dishes like Pineapple–Chipotle Grilled Short Ribs and the serrano chiles in the sweet–and–spicy marinade recipe above. Use the latter to add complexity to crowd–sized cuts of beef.

In addition to marinades, Dole Pineapple Juice also makes a great add–in for sauces. Add a couple tablespoons to your favorite barbecue sauce or blend it with hoisin and soy sauce to create an Asian Pineapple Sauce that gives plain grilled chicken breast a major upgrade. Want dessert? Try a Pina Colada Rum Sauce over grilled pound cake.

To simplify your next cookout, we've rounded up a few marinade ideas (check them out here) to get your creative juices flowing. So go ahead, pour yourself a Pineapple Mojito and get ready to take your grilling game to the next level.