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Home » Sauces & Marinades

Published: May 10, 2022 · Modified: Jan 3, 2024 by Pam

Homemade Pineapple Preserves (no canning required)

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pin image of pineapple preserves.

Just 3 ingredients are used to make delicious homemade pineapple preserves. No pressure canning is needed for this easy recipe!

two jars of pineapple preserves in front of pineapple.

Fresh pineapple preserves are like sunshine in a jar

This lightly sweetened fruit confit can be enjoyed so many ways: Use it in a marinade (it's fantastic in this marinade for pork using it instead of the pineapple juice), serve it over ice cream, stir it into yogurt, or savor it the traditional way on toast or a biscuit. It's especially good on these Cinnamon Scones!

One of my favorite ideas is to give a pretty little container as a hostess gift (more food gift ideas found here. Who doesn't appreciate something made from the heart with love?

Jump to:
  • Fresh pineapple preserves are like sunshine in a jar
  • No canning needed
  • Ingredient/Substitution notes
  • How to make pineapple preserves
  • How much will it make?
  • Items you may need for making your preserves:
  • Is it really pineapple jam or preserves?
  • FAQ'S
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Gift Ideas

No canning needed

Canning is just not something Sara or I have ever had an interest in. We admire those folks who will "put up" jars and jars of tomatoes from their garden every summer - we truly do.

Give us a bounty of cucumbers and we'll make "Refrigerator Pickles" or okra and we're making Spicy Pickled Okra by the fridge method.

These preserves are going to keep just fine for up to 4 weeks in the fridge, and that's if any lasts that long.

one open jar of pineapple jam with another behind.

Ingredient/Substitution notes

This recipe is made with just three simple and natural ingredients:

  • Fresh pineapple is readily available in many markets year round these days. I buy the market-prepared type that has been cut into big chunks and sold in containers in the produce section. You can also start with a whole pineapple if you like. We have not tested making these preserves with canned or frozen pineapple.
  • Granulated sugar - just plain old white sugar is what we use.
  • Add Lemon juice in a small amount as a natural preservative and to cut the sweetness a little. While I usually advocate using fresh lemon juice (like in Air Fryer Lobster Tails) this recipe will work just fine with bottled juice.

How to make pineapple preserves

This method is pretty forgiving. You can undercook a little, overcook a little, stir constantly or wait a few minutes between stirring. You can even adjust the texture of the pineapple by crushing or blending it or leave it in bigger chunks.

  1. First make sure your pineapple doesn't have any of the hard core still in it. If you find any be sure to trim it off. Then dice into pieces about ¼-1/2 inch square or so.
  2. Put the pineapple in a heavy saucepan and stir in the sugar and lemon juice.
  3. Start out with the heat at medium to medium-high until it starts gently bubbling, and then turn down the heat to just under medium. Stir every couple of minutes.
  4. Cook until the pineapple has turned from yellow to a golden color and the juices are reduced to just a little syrup in the bottom of the pan.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool thoroughly before putting in jars.

If you're a pineapple lover like us or you just have some extra lying around, try this Fresh Pineapple Mojito.

How much will it make?

The recipe is written for approximately 5.5-6 cups of diced pineapple. That's about 2 pounds if you're buying by weight. It makes two 8 ounce jars of preserves.

It's easily doubled or even tripled if you use a larger dutch oven for cooking the fruit. However, we like that this is a small batch recipe and not a big production to make.

When using a fresh whole pineapple you should get about the right amount for two jars from one pineapple. This is a great guide on choosing and cutting a pineapple if you need some help.

one fresh pineapple on counter.

Items you may need for making your preserves:

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  • Good, sharp knives (these are quite affordable)
  • Jars to put your preserves in (a whole page of ideas is found here)
  • A potato masher to lightly mash the pineapple chunks OR
  • An immersion blender if you want the fruit to have a smoother texture

Is it really pineapple jam or preserves?

We call it preserves because it's simply sweetened fruit and has no pectin added to make it "gel" like jam would. The pineapple and its juice plus a little sugar is all you've got here, making it truly preserved pineapple.

We think it's delicious as is, but if you want to end up with a more jelly-like consistency you could certainly add pectin. Just be aware that we have not tested it that way.

pineapple preserves on English muffin half with jar behind.

FAQ'S

How long will pineapple preserves last?

If kept tightly covered and refrigerated this pineapple jam will last up to 4 weeks, and possibly longer. This no-canning recipe is not for long term storage.

Can you make pineapple preserves with canned pineapple?

Canned pineapple has been processed and usually sweetened, so it wouldn't take as long to cook or need to be sweetened. We have not tested it.

Would these pineapple preserves make a good hostess gift?

Yes! Put them in a pretty jar and tie a ribbon or cord around them. If you want to go the extra mile you could even include a list of ways to use them.

📖 Recipe

two small jars of pineapple confit.

Homemade Pineapple Preserves (no canning required)

Pam
Just 3 ingredients are used to make delicious homemade pineapple preserves. No pressure canning is needed for this easy recipe!
4.76 from 25 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Servings 8 people
Calories 127 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups fresh pineapple diced into ¼ to ½ inch size pieces
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Mix diced pineapple, sugar and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil over medium high heat and then reduce heat to between medium-low and medium, stirring occasionally.
  • Continue cooking and stirring occasionally for about 30-35 minutes or until liquid is reduced and fruit is golden in color.
  • Remove from heat. If a smoother consistency is desired mash with a potato masher or blend with immersion blender. Allow to cool before placing in jars.
  • Cover and refrigerate for up to 3-4 weeks.

Notes

  • Fruit may be left in chunky diced pieces or blended afterwards with potato masher or immersion blender if a smoother consistency is desired.
  • 5.5-6 cups of diced pineapple will yield approximately enough preserves for two 8 ounce jars. 

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 139mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 72IUVitamin C: 61mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
Keyword preserves, pineapple, jam
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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  • Citrus Juicer
  • Good sharp knives (these are quite affordable)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Louise says

    May 23, 2022 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    Easy and delicious! Perfect for when you find some lovely fresh pineapple at the market and buy too much to eat!

    Reply
  2. Sisley White - Sew White says

    May 23, 2022 at 9:12 am

    5 stars
    I've never thought of making pineapple preserves before which is silly as I adore pineapple so much.

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    May 23, 2022 at 9:20 am

    5 stars
    This sounds so good! I love pineapple, and I can't tell you how much I love the ease. I won't have to break out a pressure cooker.

    Reply
  4. Claudia Lamascolo says

    May 23, 2022 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    We love this easy recipe being in Florida we get pineapples easily and this is a winner for me the recipe is delicious

    Reply
  5. Dana says

    May 23, 2022 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    This stuff is just SO good. My kiddo loves pineapple so he's obsessed. Won't last long in our house, I can tell!

    Reply
  6. Wendy says

    November 29, 2022 at 2:10 pm

    This sounds wonderful!! I would like to do anlarge batch and can it, do you know the instructions for that?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Pam says

      November 30, 2022 at 10:05 am

      Hi Wendy - The instructions would be no different. Just use 2, 3 or even 4 times the ingredients and you'll need a large pan to cook it in - like a dutch oven.

      Reply
  7. Katie M says

    December 12, 2022 at 7:12 pm

    This might be a dumb question, but can you use canned pineapple for this or does it have to be fresh? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      December 13, 2022 at 10:05 am

      We have only used fresh pineapple. If it's canned it will already be sweetened and processed. My guess is that you would cook it less time and use less sugar with canned, but again - we have not tested that.

      Reply
  8. Doris says

    December 16, 2022 at 3:55 pm

    I'm getting ready to make some for lil Christmas gifts! We also add dried peppers, sometimes cayenne, chipotle, or whatever we have at home.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      December 29, 2022 at 4:52 pm

      Sounds wonderful!

      Reply
  9. Sandy Henize says

    December 30, 2022 at 10:34 pm

    Where did you get the wooden pineapple topped spoon? I love this recipe, it is so easy. I love anything pineapple! Thanks.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      December 31, 2022 at 9:03 am

      They came from Hobby Lobby. Thank you, Sandy!

      Reply
  10. Connie says

    February 26, 2023 at 1:20 pm

    I wonder if you can use canned pineapple

    Reply
    • Pam says

      February 27, 2023 at 3:46 pm

      Hi Connie, this recipe was developed for fresh pineapple. Canned pineapple is already sweetened and processed for canning, so I just don't know how it would turn out.

      Reply
  11. Kristy says

    June 25, 2023 at 8:26 pm

    Can I use fresh orange juice instead of lemon?

    Reply
    • Pam says

      June 26, 2023 at 6:10 pm

      I think that should work fine!

      Reply
  12. Tracey Hustead says

    July 03, 2023 at 1:57 pm

    Couldn’t find pineapple preserves for my Jezebel sauce so making some. Sure it will be even better

    Reply
  13. Terrell Solano says

    February 07, 2024 at 2:52 am

    5 stars
    Can this be frozen?

    Reply
    • Pam says

      February 10, 2024 at 4:04 pm

      We haven't tested freezing Terrell.

      Reply
  14. Karen says

    August 24, 2024 at 7:52 pm

    5 stars
    I am getting my pineapple from the freezer as we speak! We had 16 so far this year so I'm going to try this recipe and I will be freezing some to see how it does. We had 26 last year! We are becoming a pineapple plantation! Lol. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      August 26, 2024 at 8:28 am

      Can't wait to hear how it turns out Karen!

      Reply
  15. Regina says

    August 28, 2024 at 1:10 am

    Will adding a small amount of pectin or citric acid ruin the preserve? Or lemon juice is enough to thicken the preserve so it’s not too runny?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      August 28, 2024 at 4:15 pm

      Regina, citric acid is present naturally in pineapple. There is mostly fruit in these preserves so not enough liquid to really be runny. If you want to try adding pectin come back and let us know how it turns out. We've been quite happy with the recipe just as it's written.

      Reply
4.76 from 25 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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