How To Crush Pineapple Chunks – 2 Easy And Effective Methods

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Last Updated on December 29, 2022

It can be frustrating if you can’t find crushed pineapple. Luckily, we have the ultimate guide on how to crush pineapple chunks quickly and efficiently!

In this very informative article, we will look at the two best techniques for crushing pineapples. One uses an appliance, but the other doesn’t need any special tools.

What Do You Need Crushed Pineapple For?

First, you have to understand what crushed pineapple is and how it differs from pineapple chunks. Regardless of the form you buy the pineapple chunks in, they all come from a fresh pineapple.

Pineapple chunks have a very crisp texture that is quite hard sometimes. This is worsened if the pineapple is preserved in sugar syrup. The pieces are also very large. They are usually cut from slices or rings of pineapple. Chunks have their own set of uses including being a garnish, going into a jam, creating a delicious salad, or being a topping for a dish.

However, some dishes require finer pieces of pineapple. Chunks will be, well, too chunky. It won’t bring across a delicate mouthfeel and flavor that may be needed.

Crushed pineapple is often used in mixed drinks like cocktails, in smoothies for texture, in cake and pastry fillings, and for delicate toppings for items like cupcakes. You can make smoother jams or coulis using crushed pineapple.

And, it has a bunch of savory uses too! Crushed pineapple is a great size to make dipping sauces with. But, samosa or dumpling fillings are also great options! Not to mention basting sauces, marinades, dressings, and salsas!

The possibilities are endless. And for that exact reason, we’ve created a guide on how to crush pineapple chunks.

Now, you won’t be limited to what you can find in-store or the equipment you have available on hand. We’ll be covering two amazing and easy techniques that anyone can use!

Method 1: How To Crush Pineapple Chunks With A Food Processor

For the first method, you will need a food processor. Don’t worry if you don’t have one. Just go have a look at method 2.

A blender won’t work for this method. Blenders, juicers, and food processors are completely different appliances that are used for different reasons. The products that they create are completely different. Only a food processor will work to make crushed pineapple from chunks.

This method is quick and very easy. And, it doesn’t make a massive mess like some other methods you can use. But, you need a food processor and you cannot accurately control how crushed the pineapple becomes.

What you will need

• Food processor
• Sieve, optional
• Container or bowl, optional
• Spatula or spoon, optional

Step-by-step instructions 

Step 1: Crush your pineapple

Place your pineapple chunks into the food processor. Then, give it a few pulses. Do this manually so that you can control exactly how crushed the chunks become.

Otherwise, an automatic setting may completely pulverize the pineapple into a slushy chunky juice!

Step 2: Strain the pineapple

Depending on what you want to use the crushed pineapple for, you may need to strain it. For example, if the pineapple is going directly into a cake batter, the excess pineapple juice will change the consistency of the recipe. (unless it is called for).

Place the crushed pineapple into a sieve that is placed over a bowl or container. Then, gently press it using the back of a spoon or a spatula.

Method 2: How To Crush Pineapple Chunks With A Knife 

Another way to crush pineapple chunks is to chop them up using a sharp knife. This is also a great way to brush up on your chopping skills! And, as we’ve mentioned before, this method doesn’t require an expensive space-consuming food processor.

It is a technique that requires a bit more time and elbow grease. Not to mention it can be messy. But, you will be able to precisely control how to crush pineapple chunks into various textures.

What you will need

• Chopping board
• Sharp chef’s knife
• Wet cloth
• Sieve, optional
• Container or bowl, optional
• Spatula or spoon, optional

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Chop up the pineapple chunks

Drain the pineapple chunks before chopping them. Otherwise, you will lose a lot of juice. Place the pineapple chunks on the chopping board. Then, first cut them into smaller pieces.

Keep repeating the superficial chopping until it becomes a coarser crushes texture. Then, you can begin chopping without paying much mind to where you are chopping.

Continue until you have the right side of the crushed pineapple you are looking for.

Step 2: Drain the pineapple

Drain the crushed pineapple in a sieve exactly as we have described in the previous method.

Expert Tips And Tricks

• If your pineapple is exceptionally hard, especially if you are working with fresh pineapple pieces, you can leave it at room temperature until it softens. Unripe pineapple takes about 1-2 days, so use this as your frame of reference. Just keep the container closed or unopened if you are doing this. You don’t want rapid bacterial growth.
• So, we know we said no blender can work for crushing pineapple, but there is an exception. Only blenders that have “chop” settings can be used for this technique. Otherwise, it will completely juice the chunks.
• You don’t have to drain the crushed pineapple. We simply recommend doing so at first for some recipes. You can always add pineapple juice to a dish later. But if you simply put everything in at once, you cannot easily remove it.
• Pineapple chunks and crushed pineapple isn’t always interchangeable. So try to get the right consistency with our methods above before unintentionally ruining a recipe.

How Do You Crush Pineapple Chunks by Hand?

While it may seem intimidating, you can crush pineapple chunks by hand and it is easier than it looks. One simple way is to chop your pineapple into chunks and then add your pineapple to the food processor. Set your food processor on chop mode and pulse for a couple of seconds two or three times until you reach your desired texture. 

Instead of a food processor, you can also use a blender as well to make pineapple chunks. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can use a potato masher. Simply chop up your pineapple into chunks by hand and then use a potato masher to crush them. 

You can also use a rolling pin or a pastry cutter to crush your pineapple. However, these two options may require some more elbow grease. To use a rolling pin, add your chopped pineapple to a Ziploc bag and hit the pineapple with a rolling pin until you crush it to your desired size. 

What Can You Do With Leftover Pineapple Chunks?

There are several options for what you can do with leftover pineapple chunks. You can add them to smoothies or milkshakes or use them as a topping on your ice cream. You can also add it to cakes, cookies, and more as pineapple pairs well with many different things.

Pineapple chunks can last in your fridge for around a week. You can also freeze them in airtight bags or containers for three to six months. When ready to use, allow your pineapple to thaw overnight in the fridge, or add it directly to your smoothie. 

What Can You Do with Frozen Pineapple Chunks?

There are several things you can do with frozen pineapple chunks. They are particularly great for making smoothies and you can add other fruit such as mangoes, bananas, strawberries, and blueberries. You can also add frozen pineapple chunks to a milkshake, as it will taste particularly great with vanilla ice cream or even some coconut too.

You can also thaw your pineapple chunks and use them for filling in your cakes. Pineapple is great in many different cakes and makes a particularly delicious and refreshing filling. 

What Can You Cook with Pineapple Chunks?

In addition to desserts, pineapple can taste great in savory dishes as well. You can add pineapple chunks to your burger as it will give it a kick of sweetness while also complimenting the burger. It will also taste great with vegetarian dishes as well whether BBQ or not.

Pineapple also goes well with BBQ. You can top BBQ chicken or pork with pineapple chunks as they will taste great together. Pineapple also tastes great with poultry or pork in a sesame sauce or honey garlic sauce with rice.

How Can You Make Chicken with Pineapple Chunks?

There are a few different ways you can make chicken with pineapple chunks. You can add the pineapple and chicken to your grill and cook them together and top them with BBQ. You can also cook the pineapple chunks together with chicken, vegetables, and rice on the stovetop and add your favorite sauce such as hoisin sauce, honey garlic sauce, and sesame sauce. 

Final Thoughts

We hope that you found this informative article on how to crush pineapple chunks helpful. We know that this will help open up a ton of new exciting recipes for you!

And if there is other equipment you don’t have at home, go check out some of our other articles on substituting them. You don’t always have to go buy a bunch of expensive appliances to make a recipe.

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