Jet Tila’s advice on the best fruit for grilling, why you should grill more seafood, and a bunch of recipes to get you started!
If you ask celebrity chef and Food Network star Jet Tila for outdoor cooking ideas, he’s got plenty. And that includes a very clear perspective on the best fruit for grilling outside.
Any guesses?
“In my opinion, the king of grilled fruit is pineapple, because it is durable and tastes amazing with some char and can be cut or skewered to make a beautiful plate up,” Tila said in a press release.
That makes perfect sense to us. Think about how many grilled pineapple dishes there are. You could turn it into a pineapple slaw or salsa to serve with grilled salmon or jerk fish tacos. Or add some mascarpone whipped cream or a dollop of ice cream directly on top and turn it into a dessert.
Of course, a slice of pineapple also works great on a burger you might be grilling, or you could add it to a kale blueberry salad, or incorporate it into a pineapple rum cocktail. Okay, hold on, I may have to go make that right now. (My boss will understand, right? It’s research!)
There’s a reason pineapple works well with so many different things, and why it’s Tila’s favorite fruit for grilling.
“Most fruits have too much moisture and will fall apart when grilled,” he explained. “Fruits like apples and pears are actually too dry and will just get dryer over the grill. Grilled pineapple pairs well with any meat because the pineapple turns into a companion that adds sweetness and some glaze.”
That tracks!
We also love grilling peaches and plums for the same reason — they can generally hold their shape, aren’t too dry, and add the touch of sweetness we’re looking for.
Instead of grilling things like avocados or tomatoes on the grill, you can always save them to add to your burger or grilled avocado toast, still giving you some of the flavor from your grill without an unnecessary mess.
Tips for Cutting Pineapple
It’s worth noting that if you’re cutting large amounts of pineapple — like, if you’re making Hawaiian burgers for an entire high school reunion — you should wear gloves, and maybe even face protection.
That’s because pineapple contains a powerful enzyme called bromelain that’s strong enough to make meat fall apart if you marinate it for too long. If you’re just throwing some skewers on the grill for your immediate family though, don’t worry about it.
Also, it helps to know the best way to cut a pineapple to make sure you waste less and save time!
More Grilling Ideas
We love using a grill for all sorts of meats and other dishes, including pizza!
For many people, the first thing that comes to mind are meats like burgers, hot dogs, and skewers. But there’s a whole world of seafood options, from Cajun grilled cod to salmon. Tila recommends starting with a fillet.
“Fish fillets are the easiest starting point, with a great dry rub and some herbs you can have perfectly grilled fish,” he said. “When you’re ready to venture out, think about throwing some oysters on the grill until they open up.”
If you go this route, it will help to have an oyster knife on hand.
“Pull one of the shells off to release the oyster from the half shell and hit it with hot sauce,” Tila said. Shellfish are also great for the smoker to add some great flavor. Some great shellfish for outdoors are oysters, scallops, clams, and mussels. Don’t forget, simple, grilled shrimp in the shell tossed in some garlic, butter, and herbs makes the perfect peel-and-eat meal.”
Thanks to Jet Tila RTA Outdoor Living, and Coyote Outdoor Living for these tips!