Canned pineapple may never be as good as fresh pineapple but it still deserves a place in your pantry. You need it to make things like ‘50s style “salads” (aka Jell-O with stuff in it), classic baked hams, Hawaiian pizza, and pretty much anything that goes on a pu pu platter. But not every can of pineapple tastes the same. Take it from me, a person who sat down to 13 cans of pineapple—including canned crushed pineapple, canned pineapple chunks, and canned pineapple slices.
And one brand of canned pineapple is worlds better than any of the others.
After this taste test, I can tell you that the only brand to trust when it comes to putting pineapple in a can is Dole. Yes, spoiler alert, Dole canned pineapple is the best canned pineapple. But if you want to know the nuances of Dole’s canned pineapple slices, canned pineapple chunks, and canned crushed pineapple, and find out about the very best can of pineapple you should buy, read on.
- Dole Crushed Pineapple
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I had to google “recipes using canned crushed pineapple” to find out exactly why this stuff is sold, and it turns out it’s mostly for cake. That’s good, because you shouldn’t be eating canned crushed pineapple alone. It’s just not the best way to enjoy pineapple. Still, out of all the canned crushed pineapple we tried, Dole’s was the absolute best. It isn’t mushy—it still has some firm texture. The flavor is quite good—it’s zesty and tropical, but I do think it could use a squeeze of lime to add some acidity.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Dole Pineapple Chunks
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Canned pineapple chunks should be firm and flavorful. And Dole canned pineapple chunks fit that description. They’re also not too sweet. I came into this taste test thinking I would be overwhelmed by sickly sweetness—like the fruit you get in a fruit cocktail cup. But none of the canned pineapple we tried was that sweet. And Dole, especially, highlights the natural flavor of the fruit without any added sugar. Use these canned pineapple chunks in a fruit salad if you can’t get a hold of a real pineapple (or don’t feel like putting in the work to break one down), toss them onto a pizza (go ahead and start with a frozen cheese pizza for ease), or cut them down a bit to add to some fried rice.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Dole Pineapple Slices
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Here’s the best canned pineapple to buy: Dole canned pineapple slices. Out of all the canned pineapple we tried, this canned pineapple was the brightest and most vibrant. Again, there’s no added sugar, so you don’t have to worry about any of that canned syrup flavor. It’s just pure, canned pineapple slices. They aren’t mushy at all, they’re totally firm, so you can pin them onto your ham and feel confident that they won’t fall apart in the oven. The pineapple juice in the can is also quite good, so don’t pour it down the drain! Use it to make a cocktail or a mocktail to enjoy while you’re making that pineapple upside down cake. Or just chug it from the can. Your call.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
Best Crushed Pineapple
Best Pineapple Chunks
Best Pineapple Slices
Other canned pineapple we tasted: Great Value Pineapple Slices, Del Monte Deluxe Gold Pineapple Slices in 100% Pineapple Juice, Del Monte Deluxe Gold Pineapple Chunks, Great Value Pineapple Tidbits, Dole Pineapple Tidbits, Golden Farms Pineapple Chunks, Great Value Pineapple Chunks, Sweet Harvest Pineapple Chunks, Del Monte Pineapple Chunks, Great Value Crushed Pineapple
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