Description

A vibrant and tangy Pineapple-Jalapeño Marinade that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Ideal for marinating pork shoulder, flank steak, or chicken thighs, this marinade tenderizes meat while adding a delicious tropical kick for grilling or stovetop cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

2 cups coarsely chopped fresh pineapple
1 small jalapeño, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, grated
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Protein

2 pounds pork shoulder, flank steak, or chicken thighs

Instructions

Prepare the Pineapple Puree: In a blender, blend the coarsely chopped fresh pineapple until it forms a chunky puree. This provides the base of your marinade and will help tenderize your protein.
Combine Marinade Ingredients: Transfer the pineapple puree to a large resealable plastic bag or container. Add the finely chopped jalapeño, grated garlic cloves, maple syrup, and kosher salt. Mix well to combine the flavors thoroughly.
Marinate the Protein: Place your choice of protein (pork shoulder, flank steak, or chicken thighs) into the marinade. Turn the meat to coat all sides evenly. Seal the bag or container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing up to 2 hours for deeper flavor infusion and tenderization.
Cook and Baste: When ready, grill or cook your meat as desired. During cooking, baste once on each side with the remaining marinade to enhance flavor and moisture.

Notes

Do not reuse leftover marinade as a sauce unless boiled first to kill bacteria.
Adjust jalapeño quantity for preferred spice level.
Marinating longer than 2 hours can overly tenderize the meat due to pineapple’s enzymes.
Works well for grilling, stovetop searing, or broiling.
Use fresh pineapple for best flavor and enzymatic activity.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-30 minutes depending on protein and cooking method
Category: Marinade
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: pineapple marinade, jalapeño marinade, pork marinade, chicken marinade, steak marinade, tropical marinade, grilled meat marinade, spicy sweet marinade