Skip to content

The dessert, Light and fresh

Pineapple carpaccio with vanilla

Pineapple carpaccio with vanilla is a fresh dessert made of thin pineapple slices topped with a vanilla syrup and lime, for 6 people. It takes 25 minutes of active work and is prepared the day before, at a cost of €1.40 per person and a very easy difficulty level. The key to success is slicing the pineapple as thin as possible.

I'm serving a pineapple carpaccio, thin slices flavored with vanilla and lime, fresh and light.

Pineapple carpaccio with vanilla
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.40
Calories per person
120 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Victoria pineapple, sweet and fragrant, pairs with a vanilla syrup and a touch of lime acidity. Sliced thin, it loses its fibrous texture and turns silky, almost translucent on the plate. This dessert refreshes without weighing you down, perfect after a rich main like a gratin or a braised meat dish.

Serve it for a dinner party any time of year, or at the end of a hearty family meal when nobody wants a heavy dessert. Its freshness also makes it a good option for holiday meals, as an alternative to a rich cake, or for a summer lunch on the terrace.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 2 steps, 30 min
  2. The same day 1 step, 15 min
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The day before, make the vanilla syrup and slice the pineapple thin, then keep it in the fridge. In the morning, plate the slices with the syrup and lime juice. Just before your guests arrive, add the zest and chopped mint right before serving so they stay fresh.

The ingredients

6 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Victoria pineapples 2
  • Limes 2
  • Fresh mint 4 sprigs

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 80 g
  • Wateroften in the pantry 10 cl
  • Vanilla bean 1

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Heat the water with the sugar and the split vanilla bean, let it infuse and cool. 10 min

    Leave the vanilla bean in the syrup, it keeps flavoring it.

  2. Peel the pineapples, remove the eyes and core, then cut them into very thin slices. 20 min

    A very sharp knife or a mandoline gives even slices.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Arrange the slices on plates, drizzle with strained syrup and the juice of one lime. 15 min

    Overlap the slices like scales, it makes for a nicer presentation.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Grate the zest of the second lime over the plates and sprinkle with chopped mint.

    Save the zest for the last moment, it keeps all its freshness.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a ripe, fragrant pineapple, the flesh should give slightly when you press the base with your finger.
  • Strain the syrup well before pouring it over the slices, to avoid small bits of vanilla pod sticking to the fruit.
  • Plate the dessert in the morning but wait until the last moment for the zest and mint, which fade quickly.

The variations

  • Swap the lime for lemon for a milder, less sharp acidity.
  • Add a few raspberries or pomegranate seeds on top for color and a touch of tartness.
  • For kids, sprinkle shredded coconut instead of chopped mint.

What to serve it with

  • A Breton shortbread or a crisp tuile
  • A scoop of passion fruit sorbet
  • Iced green tea or a mint infusion

Storage

The pineapple slices keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, but plate them the same day you serve for the best texture. This dessert does not freeze well.

Questions about this recipe

How do you slice pineapple this thin without a mandoline?

A long, very sharp knife works fine if you cut in one steady motion on a stable board. Take your time with the first pineapple to find the right angle, the second one goes faster.

Can you use vanilla extract instead of a vanilla pod?

Yes, a teaspoon of liquid vanilla extract added to the hot syrup works well. The flavor will be a bit less intense but the recipe still turns out great.

What's the best way to plate the pineapple slices?

Overlap them slightly like fish scales, in a circle or a line depending on your plate. This gives a polished look without any special technique.

Can you use a regular pineapple instead of Victoria?

Yes, a standard pineapple works too, as long as it's ripe and sweet. Victoria just has a finer, more fragrant flesh.

Can a pineapple carpaccio with vanilla be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 2 steps, the same day, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a pineapple carpaccio with vanilla?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in a pineapple carpaccio with vanilla?

About 120 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a pineapple carpaccio with vanilla cost?

About €1.40 per person, that's €8.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe doesn't contain any of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. It's still a good idea to ask your guests about their allergies.

To round out your menu

Build a menu

Desserts for entertaining

See all
Lemon ricotta cake The dessert

Mediterranean

Lemon ricotta cake

  • 20 min of work
  • Prepared the day before
  • Easy, €1.10 per person

320 kcalcalculated by Kiloach

Bordeaux cannelés The dessert

Regional

Bordeaux cannelés

  • 30 min of work
  • Prepared the same day
  • Medium, €0.90 per person

250 kcalcalculated by Kiloach