How to Eat Pineapple Core

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman Reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward

Last Updated: October 3, 2024 References

Did you know you can eat the core of a pineapple? Like the rest of the fruit, it’s chock full of vitamin C, bromelain, manganese, and other nutrients. ^{[1]
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Research source} From smoothies to marinades, there are plenty of refreshing, creative ways that you can enjoy your pineapple core.

1

Snack on the raw core.

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Since pineapple core is pretty tough, thin slices are a lot easier to munch on than larger chunks. ^{[2]
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2

Toss it into a smoothie.

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While making your favorite smoothie, add a handful of chopped pineapple core as a finishing touch. Tap the “blend” button to mix all of your favorite ingredients into a smooth, delicious drink. ^{[3]
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3

Freeze pineapple core into fruity ice cubes.

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Cut the pineapple core into small, bite-sized chunks. Store and freeze these slices in freezer bags for up to 1 year. ^{[4]
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Research source} The next time you pour a glass of water or make a fruity cocktail, grab a few pieces of frozen pineapple core instead of regular ice cubes. ^{[5]
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- You can also freeze the entire core as a flavorful garnish for pitchers of lemonade, sangria, white wine, or tea.

4

Blend it into a tasty purée.

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Place the pineapple core in boiling water until it’s slightly soft. Then, purée the softened core with a blender or food processor until it’s liquefied. Drizzle this purée over breakfast pastries, or freeze the purée into a refreshing sorbet. ^{[6]
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- This purée is a tasty, nutritious addition to homemade soups and cocktails.

5

Grate pineapple core over salads.

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Then, whip up a bowl of your favorite salad. As a tasty accent, shave the fresh core with a grater to create a delicious topping for your salad. ^{[7]
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6

Turn it into a syrup.

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Dice ⅔ cup (170 g) of pineapple core and pips. Set the pineapple and 3 oz (85 g) of lemon rind in a large bowl, along with ½ cup (115 g) of raw sugar. Stir the mixture once every 45 minutes, waiting 4-12 hours until the sugar dissolves all the way. Strain the syrup into a clean jar—you can use the syrup right away, or refrigerate it for up to 3 months. ^{[8]
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- Pineapple pips are the small, separated segments along the pineapple’s surface.

7

Enjoy it in a fruity iced tea.

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Slice the core into ¹ ⁄ ₂ in (1.3 cm) pieces. Add the sliced fruit, 1 chunk of peeled ginger, and 2 US qt (1.9 L) of water to a saucepan. Turn up the heat to the highest temperature until the mixture starts to boil; then, simmer the ingredients for 10 minutes. Transfer the fruity mixture to a large bowl, and drop in 1 oz (29 g) of loose green tea. Give the tea about 5 minutes to steep, and then filter out the pineapple core through a strainer. ^{[9]
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- This drink tastes especially delicious when chilled and served over ice.

8

Simmer it into a spiced drink.

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Add the core and skin of a pineapple to a large pot. Add ¹ ⁄ ₂ lb (230 g) of brown sugar to the pot, along with 10 to 12 c (2.4 to 2.8 L) of water and fresh spices, like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and anise. Turn the temperature up to high heat until it starts boiling—then, turn it down and let the drink simmer for 1 hour before serving. You can strain the drink if you’d like, but you don’t have to. ^{[10]
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- Refrigerate the drink before serving if you’d like an extra punch of pineapple flavor.
- This drink is also called chicha de piña.

9

Dry it into crisps.

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Slice the pineapple core into thin pieces. Then, preheat your oven to the lowest possible temperature. Spread out the pineapple pieces on a baking tray, and bake them for 4 to 4½ hours. Flip over the slices 1 hour into baking, and then 1 more time before pulling them out of the oven. ^{[11]
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- If you don’t eat the chips right away, place them in an airtight container for a week or so.

10

Marinate slices of meat in pineapple core.

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Slide a section of raw meat into a plastic bag, spreading the minced pineapple on top. Seal the bag and marinate it in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Then, brush off the pineapple before actually cooking the meat. ^{[12]
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How to Eat Pineapple Core

Steps

Snack on the raw core.

Toss it into a smoothie.

Freeze pineapple core into fruity ice cubes.

Blend it into a tasty purée.

Grate pineapple core over salads.

Turn it into a syrup.

Enjoy it in a fruity iced tea.

Simmer it into a spiced drink.

Dry it into crisps.

Marinate slices of meat in pineapple core.

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