Your guests will love this tender and juicy grilled Cinnamon Pineapple and Beef Appetizer. The beef tenderizes beautifully in the natural pineapple juices. The cinnamon adds a gentle aroma and subtle richness. The bite-sized grilled beef and pineapple pieces are served as mini skewers on toothpicks or bamboo skewers for convenience and a beautiful presentation!
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Just like this Pork and Dried Fruit Roll and this Seaweed Salad and Ahi Tuna Appetizer, it's perfect for entertaining guests! Not only does it look beautiful on a serving platter, but it is also convenient to serve. The bite-size pineapple and beef pieces are threaded onto toothpicks, bamboo skewers, or cocktail picks to create individual finger-food portions.
I originally tried grilled pineapple at a Brazillian restaurant and fell in love with it right then and there! The heat of the grill had caramelized the sugars in the pineapple and created a deliciously sweet and slightly smoky taste. So succulent and flavorful! It was a revelation for me – a simple fruit transformed into a gourmet delight! Since then my love for grilled pineapple evolved into a culinary adventure, leading me to create recipes using grilled fruit :). Hence the birth of this grilled pineapple and beef recipe. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
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Ingredients
- Beef: Beef Tenderloin is the best option for maximum tenderness. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, top sirloin is a great alternative that still provides good tenderness and flavor.
- Pineapple: Not only does pineapple bring a natural sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory marinated beef, but it also contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins. When pineapple is used in marinades or cooked with meat, it helps to tenderize the beef by breaking down its protein structures, resulting in a more tender texture of the beef. Read more about this in my How Marinating Works (or Doesn’t!) post.
- Mint: like in this Sun-Dried Tomato and Mango Crostini recipe, fresh mint adds a refreshing burst of flavor. It pairs so well with the sweetness of the pineapple and the savory element of the beef.
- Seasonings: we'll be using brown sugar and cinnamon (like we do in this Cottage Cheese and Apple Pie recipe) to help enhance the flavor of the beef and pineapple. As the skewers grill, the heat will cause the brown sugar to caramelize and the cinnamon to release its aroma. Yum!
see the recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities
Substitutions and variations
- Beef: you can use chicken breast, or thigh, cut into 1-inch cubes. Chicken pairs well with the sweetness of the pineapple and the spices. Pork tenderloin is another good option. Cut it into cubes and follow the same marinade and grilling steps.
- Pineapple: Fresh peach slices can be used instead of pineapple. They caramelize well and add a similar sweetness. Mango or papaya chunks are another great alternative.
- Brown sugar: Substitute brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different sweet flavor.
- Olive Oil: you can also add one tablespoon of olive oil (or coconut oil/avocado oil) to the cinnamon/brown sugar mixture before adding it to the pineapple and beef. It helps the beef and pineapple develop a beautiful, flavorful crust when grilled.
- Make it vegan/vegetarian: use firm tofu cut into 1-inch cubes. Make sure to press the tofu to remove excess moisture before marinating.
- Balsamic Reduction: Drizzle a balsamic glaze over the skewers before serving for a sweet and tangy finish. I love using balsamic glaze for an extra zing! Try this Burrata Cheese with Marinated Mushrooms and Tomato Salsa and this Cauliflower Steak with Prosciutto and Burrata with balsamic glaze.
Preparation
STEP 1: Prepare ingredients
Cut the pineapple and stewing beef into bite-size pieces (about 1 inch) and transfer them into a large mixing bowl.
STEP 2: Marinate beef and pineapple
Add cinnamon powder and brown sugar and stir well to combine. If time allows, marinate the meat with the pineapples (covered) in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 1 hour is ideal. This will allow the meat to tenderize a little more before cooking.
STEP 3: Thread on skewers
Thread the beef and the pineapple chunks onto separate skewers, reserving the marinade that's left over in the bowl. Don't place the pieces too tightly together so they can cook evenly.
STEP 4: Grill
Heat barbecue (or if using a large skillet add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil) over high heat. When heated, cook skewers for 3 minutes on one side, then flip the skewers over and cook for another 3 minutes, basting with the reserved marinade. The internal temperature of the beef should reach 145°F. Transfer skewers onto a plate and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes.
STEP 5: Assemble
And now for the fun part: To plate the mini skewers, thread one pineapple piece through one toothpick or mini bamboo skewer, then thread 1 folded in half fresh mint leaf, then thread one barbecued beef piece. Repeat with the remaining toothpicks. The appetizer is best served warm or at room temperature.
Top Tips
- If you are using wooden skewers to grill, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. Start with this step first, before cutting the meat and pineapple.
- Cut the beef into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- To ensure the beef remains tender, grill it to medium-rare to medium doneness. Overcooking can make the beef tough.
- Make sure to use fresh, vibrant mint leaves for the best flavor. Rinse them gently and pat them dry before use.
- You can also garnish the final dish with additional fresh mint leaves for an extra touch of freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pineapple has multiple effects on beef, including tenderizing, adding flavor, retaining moisture, and caramelizing. When used in recipes, it can transform tougher cuts of beef into tender and flavorful dishes. It contains an enzyme called bromelain, which breaks down proteins. When pineapple is used in marinades or cooked with beef, the bromelain helps tenderize the meat by breaking down its protein structures.
Though I didn't try using canned pineapple in this recipe myself, I don't see why not. Just make sure to drain the pineapple well before using it in the recipe.
Yes, you can prepare the skewers ahead of time by marinating the beef/pineapple and assembling the skewers. Keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to grill. It's best to grill them just before serving.
Yes, you can reheat leftover skewers in the microwave (if the skewers are microwave-safe) or oven (if the skewers are oven-safe) until heated through. Just be careful not to overcook the beef, as it can become tough when reheated. It's best to remove the meat, mint leaves, and pineapple from the skewers before reheating and reheat only the pineapple and beef, keeping the mint unheated/fresh.
Serving suggestions
Serve the appetizer as finger food along with other finger food appetizers, such as Asparagus in Smoked Salmon and Cucumber rolls, these Pillsbury™ Air Fryer Pizza Rolls, or these Eggplant Salad Stuffed Tomatoes. It's also great alongside some of our party-favorite salads, such as this Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries, this Shrimp Salad in Orange Peel, or this Chickpea and Crab Salad.
Other party appetizer ideas
If you tried this Cinnamon Pineapple and Beef Appetizer or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Cinnamon Pineapple and Beef Appetizer
Equipment
- Indoor Grill If outdoor barbecue is not available
- Skewers for grilling
- Cocktail picks or toohpicks
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin or tenderloin
- 1 fresh pineapple
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 25 fresh mint leaves or fresh basil leaves - number of mint leaves depends on the number of skewers you are making (estimated 25)
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife and a cutting board, cut the pineapple and stewing beef into bite-size pieces (about 1-inch) and transfer them into a large mixing bowl.1 lb beef sirloin or tenderloin, 1 fresh pineapple
- Add cinnamon powder and brown sugar and stir well to combine. If time allows, marinate the meat with the pineapples (covered) in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 1 hour is ideal. This will allow the meat to tenderize a little more before cooking.2 teaspoons cinnamon powder, ¼ cup brown sugar
- Thread the beef and the pineapple chunks onto separate skewers, reserving the marinade that's left over in the bowl. Don't place the pieces too tightly together so they can cook evenly.
- Heat barbecue over high heat. When heated, cook skewers for 3 minutes on one side, then flip the skewers over and cook for another 3 minutes, basting with the reserved marinade. The internal temperature of the beef should reach 145°F. Transfer skewers onto a plate and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- If you are using wooden skewers to grill, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. Start with this step first, before cutting the meat and pineapple.
- Cut the beef into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- To ensure the beef remains tender, grill it to medium-rare to medium doneness. Overcooking can make the beef tough.
- Make sure to use fresh, vibrant mint leaves for the best flavor. Rinse them gently and pat them dry before use.
- You can also garnish the final dish with additional fresh mint leaves for an extra touch of freshness.
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Hope you find these delicious!