Fresh Pineapple Juice Recipe: Sweet, Tangy & So Easy

Fresh pineapple juice tastes like a tropical vacation: sweet, tangy and bursting with flavor. Once you make your own, canned juice will taste flat in comparison. This pineapple juice recipe needs just one ripe pineapple and a juicer or blender.

We’ll break down how to pick a ripe pineapple, how to cut it, how to make pineapple juice with a juicer or a blender, delicious blends to try, what pineapple juice offers nutritionally and how to store it.

In short: To make fresh pineapple juice, peel a ripe pineapple, cut it into spears and run them through your juicer, core and all if your juicer can handle it. Without a juicer, blend the chunks with 1/2 cup of cold water for about a minute, then strain. Add a squeeze of lime, pour over ice and enjoy. One medium pineapple makes about 3 to 4 cups of juice.

Why Make Fresh Pineapple Juice?

• Better flavor: Fresh juice is bright, sweet and tangy.
• No added sugar or preservatives.
• Uses the whole fruit, including the core in many juicers.
• Great base for smoothies, mocktails and marinades.
• Kid-friendly: Naturally sweet and golden.

Fresh Pineapple Juice Recipe

Most people get this part of a pineapple juice recipe wrong at first.

Ingredients (Makes About 3 to 4 Cups)

• 1 medium ripe pineapple (about 3 to 4 lb)
• Juice of 1/2 lime (optional)
• 1/2 to 1 cup cold water (blender method only)
• Ice and mint for serving

Juicer Method

1. Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple.
2. Stand it up and slice off the skin from top to bottom.
3. Cut it into spears that fit your juicer chute. You can leave the core in for most juicers.
4. Juice the spears. Feed them slowly, especially the core.
5. Add lime if you want a tangy kick.
6. Stir and serve over ice.

The core is fibrous but juicy. Masticating juicers handle it well if you cut it into small pieces. If your juicer struggles, remove the core.

Blender Method

1. Peel and core the pineapple, then cut it into chunks.
2. Add chunks and 1/2 cup cold water to a blender.
3. Blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds.
4. Pour through a fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag. Press to get all the juice.
5. Add lime to taste and serve.

For more blender juicing tips, read how to juice without a juicer.

How to Pick a Ripe Pineapple

This matters more than you might think for a good pineapple juice recipe.

• Smell the bottom. A sweet, tropical smell means it is ripe. A sour or fermented smell means it is overripe.
• Feel the weight. Heavy pineapples are juicier.
• Look at the color. Golden-yellow near the base is a good sign. Some green is fine.
• Squeeze gently. It should give slightly.
• Check the leaves. They should look fresh and green.

Pineapples do not get much sweeter after picking, so choose a ripe one at the store.

How Much Juice Does a Pineapple Make?

Pineapple size	Approx. juice
Small (2 to 3 lb)	2 to 3 cups
Medium (3 to 4 lb)	3 to 4 cups
Large (4 to 5 lb)	4 to 5 cups

Yield depends on ripeness and your juicer.

Use a ripe pineapple and you will never need to add sugar to your juice.

Delicious Pineapple Juice Blends

Pineapple Ginger Juice

Add a 1-inch piece of ginger. Spicy and refreshing. Try our pineapple ginger juice recipe.

Pineapple Mint Juice

Blend or juice with a handful of mint leaves. Cool and bright.

Pineapple Cucumber Juice

1 cup pineapple and 1 cucumber. Light and hydrating. See our cucumber juice recipe.

Pineapple Mango Juice

1 cup pineapple and 1 mango. Tropical and creamy. We also have a pineapple mango juice post.

Pineapple Orange Juice

Half pineapple, half fresh orange juice. A brunch favorite. Use our orange juice recipe.

Green Pineapple Juice

1 1/2 cups pineapple, 2 cups spinach and 1/2 cucumber. The pineapple hides the greens completely.

Pineapple Celery Juice

A popular combo for a lighter, less sweet juice. Read our celery and pineapple juice recipe.

In a Nutshell:

• One medium pineapple makes about 3 to 4 cups of fresh juice.
• Pick a heavy pineapple with a sweet smell at the base.
• Juice it with the core in most juicers, or blend and strain.
• Add lime, ginger or mint to make it even better.

Pineapple Juice Nutrition and Benefits

Fresh pineapple juice is a good source of vitamin C and manganese. You can explore full nutrition details in USDA FoodData Central.

Pineapple also contains bromelain, a group of enzymes that break down protein. That is why pineapple juice is popular in marinades. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, bromelain has been studied for several uses, but evidence is limited for many claims.

Keep in mind:

• Pineapple juice is naturally sweet and high in sugar. Enjoy it in moderation.
• It is acidic, which can bother sensitive teeth or stomachs.
• Fresh pineapple can make your mouth tingle. That is the bromelain at work.

Wondering about pineapple juice for a sore throat? Read our post on pineapple juice for sore throat.

How to Store Fresh Pineapple Juice

• Fridge: Store in a sealed glass jar for up to 3 days. Shake before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze in ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Use in smoothies or drinks.
• Popsicles: Freeze pineapple juice with a few chunks of fruit.

Fresh juice is not pasteurized, so keep it cold. The FDA recommends extra care for children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weak immune system.

Fresh vs Canned Pineapple Juice

Factor	Fresh pineapple juice	Canned pineapple juice
Flavor	Bright, tangy, tropical	Sweeter, flatter
Bromelain	Active	Mostly inactive due to heat
Shelf life	About 3 days	Months unopened
Additives	None	Sometimes added vitamin C or sugar
Cost	Depends on pineapple price	Cheap

Want a store-bought option? Check our review of the best pineapple juice brands.

Ways to Use Pineapple Juice

• Drinks: Mocktails, smoothies, punch and sparkling coolers. Try our pineapple juice mocktail.
• Marinades: Pineapple juice tenderizes chicken, pork and shrimp. Do not marinate too long, or the meat can turn mushy.
• Baking: Use in pineapple cakes, muffins and glazes.
• Breakfast: Mix with yogurt and granola, or freeze into cubes for smoothies.
• Sauces: Use in sweet and sour sauce or teriyaki.

Using Leftover Pineapple Pulp and Skin

• Pulp: Add to smoothies, muffins or oatmeal.
• Skin: Some cultures simmer pineapple skins with spices and sugar to make a fermented drink called tepache. Wash the skin very well if you try it.
• Core: If you removed it, slice it thin and add it to smoothies or simmer it for tea.

Tips for the Best Pineapple Juice

• Chill the pineapple before juicing for cold juice.
• Cut the core small if your juicer struggles with it.
• Strain for smooth juice, or keep the pulp for body.
• Add lime or lemon to balance sweetness.
• Do not add sugar to ripe pineapple.

Pineapple Juice Party Punch

Serve a crowd with this easy punch.

Ingredients (Serves 8)

• 4 cups fresh pineapple juice
• 2 cups fresh orange juice
• 1 cup fresh lime juice or watermelon juice
• 3 cups ginger ale or sparkling water
• Pineapple chunks, orange slices and mint

Instructions

1. Mix the juices in a large pitcher or punch bowl.
2. Chill for at least 1 hour.
3. Add sparkling water or ginger ale just before serving.
4. Garnish with fruit and mint.

Where People Go Wrong

1. Using an unripe pineapple. The juice will be sour.
2. Leaving on too much skin. It can make juice bitter.
3. Forcing large core pieces into a small juicer.
4. Storing juice too long. Drink within 3 days.
5. Over-marinating meat. Bromelain can make meat mushy after a few hours.

How to Cut a Pineapple for Juicing (Step by Step)

1. Lay the pineapple on its side on a large cutting board.
2. Cut off the crown (the leafy top) and about 1/2 inch of the base.
3. Stand it upright on the flat base.
4. Slice off the skin in strips from top to bottom, following the curve.
5. Remove the “eyes” (the brown spots) with the tip of a knife or a small spoon.
6. Cut into quarters lengthwise.
7. Slice into spears that fit your juicer chute.

A sharp chef’s knife makes this much easier. Keep the crown if you want to try growing a pineapple plant on a sunny windowsill.

Pineapple Juice Nutrition at a Glance

Here is roughly what you get in 1 cup (8 oz) of fresh, unsweetened pineapple juice. Check USDA FoodData Central for exact numbers.

Nutrient	Approximate amount per cup
Calories	About 130
Natural sugar	About 25 g
Vitamin C	A large share of the daily value
Manganese	A large share of the daily value
Fiber	Less than 1 g

Because it is sweet, many people enjoy pineapple juice in smaller servings or mixed with cucumber, greens or sparkling water.

Pineapple Juice Marinade (Easy Recipe)

Fresh pineapple juice makes a great marinade because it adds sweetness and tenderizes meat.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

How to Use It

1. Whisk everything together.
2. Pour over chicken, pork or shrimp.
3. Marinate chicken or pork for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Marinate shrimp for 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Grill, bake or pan-sear.

Do not marinate longer, because the enzymes in fresh pineapple can make meat mushy.

Pineapple Juice Smoothie Ideas

Use fresh pineapple juice instead of water or milk in smoothies:

• Tropical Green Smoothie: Pineapple juice, spinach, frozen mango and banana.
• Pina Colada Smoothie: Pineapple juice, coconut milk, frozen pineapple and ice.
• Berry Pineapple Smoothie: Pineapple juice, frozen strawberries and Greek yogurt.
• Sunrise Smoothie: Pineapple juice, orange juice, frozen peaches and a few raspberries.

Quick Pineapple Juice Tips

• Ripen a pineapple on the counter for a day or two if it smells faint, but it will not get much sweeter.
• Store cut pineapple in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze extra chunks for smoothies.
• Add lime or mint to balance the sweetness.
• Use a slow juicer for less foam and smoother juice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make pineapple juice from a fresh pineapple?

Peel the pineapple, cut it into spears and run it through a juicer. Or blend the chunks with a little water and strain the mixture.

Can you juice the pineapple core?

Yes. Most juicers can handle the core if you cut it into smaller pieces. The core is fibrous but contains juice and bromelain.

Do I need to add sugar to pineapple juice?

No. A ripe pineapple is naturally very sweet. Taste the juice first, and add a splash of lime if you want more balance.

How long does fresh pineapple juice last?

Fresh pineapple juice lasts about 3 days in a sealed container in the fridge.

The Bottom Line

This fresh pineapple juice recipe is one of the easiest and most delicious juices you can make. Pick a ripe, sweet-smelling pineapple, peel it, juice it with the core or blend and strain, and add a little lime or ginger for extra zing.

Try the pineapple mint or pineapple ginger blend next. For more tropical ideas, check out our mango juice recipe or explore our juicer recipes collection.