Description
This Tropical Sweet & Tangy Sauce is a vibrant blend of pineapple, tangy vinegar, and spices, slowly simmered to create a thick, flavorful condiment perfect for grilled meats, seafood, or as a dipping sauce. The combination of fresh pineapple and warm spices offers a delightful balance of sweetness and heat, making it an irresistible addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced pineapple (fresh or canned)
- ¼ cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 1 (6 oz.) can pineapple juice (about ¾ cup)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon hot Hungarian paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon table salt
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil until it shimmers, preparing the pan for cooking the pineapple.
- Cook pineapple: Add the diced pineapple to the pan and stir occasionally. Cook until the pineapple is golden brown and slightly charred, around 4 to 6 minutes, to develop caramelized flavors.
- Add brown sugar: Stir in the lightly packed brown sugar and cook the mixture until it becomes bubbly and starts to slightly reduce, enhancing the sauce’s sweetness and texture.
- Combine remaining ingredients: Pour in pineapple juice, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup. Then add garlic powder, hot Hungarian paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to blend all flavors thoroughly.
- Bring to boil and simmer: Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer for the next step.
- Reduce and thicken sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly reduces and thickens to a rich consistency.
- Cool before serving: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool for at least 10 minutes. This resting period helps the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken further before enjoying.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple for a brighter flavor, or canned pineapple if fresh is unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of paprika or add chili flakes if you prefer more heat.
- The sauce pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, pork, seafood, or as a sweet and tangy dipping sauce for appetizers.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- If a thicker sauce is preferred, continue simmering longer, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
