|

26 Easy Tropical Recipes

ByStephanie Wilson

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Get a taste of paradise with these tropical recipes that brighten and enhance the season and summer and make you feel like you’re on vacation every day!

Pineapple Lemonade for Tropical Recipes

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email, and we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get delicious new recipes from us every Friday!

Save Recipe

So, light the tiki torches and plan a luau. Or simply enjoy these colorful, delicious paradise-inspired foods, from weeknight dinners to sweet treats and party food!

Whether you dream of a Hawaiian vacation, the Caribbean, the Baja Peninsula, or the South Pacific, these tropical recipes inspire some delicious occasions.

Whether it’s a weeknight dinner, a luau (as mentioned), or a treat for a still-chilly spring.

What Flavors Are in Tropical Recipes?

It’s been said that tropical food isn’t a cuisine – it’s an attitude! I love that. The combination of flavors in the tropics is often associated with island vacations, paradise, and, ultimately, relaxation!

This recipe collection features lime, lemon, and coconut flavors, tropical fruits like pineapple, fresh ingredients, and vibrant colors.

You will also find some roots and tubers. According to National Geographic, “roots and tubers are common food staples, particularly in tropical regions. Yams are an important food in the rainforests of West Africa. They are most commonly peeled, boiled, and pounded into a pulp to make a dough called fufu.”

Tropical Recipes to Hulu Dance With

1
cookingclassy.com
Pineapple Mango Lemonade
A perfectly refreshing, easy tom make summertime drink. Made with a delicious blend of three delicious juices – lemon juice, pineapple juice and mango nectar. Sweet and slightly tart and so satisfying!
See the Recipe
2
Side view of Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake on a white plate with a pineapple in the background.
2 Minute Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake
Craving Pineapple Upside Down Cake? Try this quick and easy Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake recipe for a single-serving treat in no time.
See the Recipe
3
recipetineats.com
Huli Huli Chicken (Hawaiian Tropical Chicken)
Huli Huli Chicken – you can’t miss the tropical flavours in this Hawaiian chicken dish! A pineapple marinade with plenty of fresh ginger and garlic injects sweet-savoury flavour and makes for an excellent glaze. Brilliant BBQ grilled or pan seared.
See the Recipe
4
Side view of Crockpot Hawaiian Pork Tenderloin served over coconut rice with cilantro and jalapenos in a white pasta bowl
Crockpot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork
Instant Pot Pineapple Chicken is a quick and easy, delicious meal that transports you to the tropics. Ready in 30 minutes or less, it’s packed with Hawaiian flavor, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
See the Recipe
5
Sideview of Mandarin Orange Salad with Thai Crunch Salad Dressing on a blue and white plate with roasted peanuts
Mandarin Orange Salad with Thai Crunch Salad Dressing
See the Recipe
6
Sheet pan of chicken thighs and vegetables with a black plastic spatula ready for serving.
Easy Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
If you’re craving some sunshine and tropical fruit… this Easy Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken is for you!
See the Recipe
7
Side view of Coconut Cream Pie on a white plate topped with whipped cream with a bite missing
Easy Coconut Cream Pie
This Coconut Cream Pie recipe is a thick, incredibly delicious creamy pie with high mounds of sweetened whipped cream and toasted coconut.
See the Recipe
8
Bowl of Instant Pot Pineapple Chicken over white rice
Simple Instant Pot Pineapple Chicken
See the Recipe
9
Front view of sliced Pineapple Banana Bread with fresh pineapple and bananas
Pineapple Banana Bread Recipe
This Pineapple Banana Bread is a delicious twist on your favorite comfort food treat. It’s moist, and tender, with a hint of the tropics. Simple banana bread ingredients with pineapple, its juices, and coconut.
See the Recipe
10
Unsliced Hummingbird Cake on a White Cake Stand with a Fresh Pineapple
Hummingbird Cake: An Easy Bundt Cake Recipe
Hummingbird Cake is a moist and dense cake filled with ripe bananas, pineapple, pecans, and deliciously savory spices. Tweaked slightly from the original, this cake is simplified and made even easier in a Bundt pan. And, of course, drizzled in a thick cream cheese glaze for the ultimate in flavor.
See the Recipe
11
Side view of Thai Ginger Beef over basmati rice in a white bowl with chopsticks
Thai Ginger Beef
See the Recipe
12
Pineapple Coconut Smoothie: Every Sip is Like Taking a Vacation | 31Daily.com
Coconut Pineapple Smoothie: Vacation Style at Home
Coconut Pineapple Smoothie: a simple and healthy breakfast or snack that will taste like a vacation in every sip.
See the Recipe
13
Side view of Instant Pot teriyaki chicken garnished with green onions slices in a blue bowl with a blue and white tea pot in the background.
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice is an incredibly easy one-pot meal with juicy, tender chicken, vegetables, and rice cooked in a sweet honey and savory sauce with mostly pantry ingredients. This delicious recipe is ready in minutes and perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
See the Recipe
14
key lime pie on white background
Easy Key Lime Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Key Lime Pie, a summer staple, is a vibrantly sweet yet tart, refreshingly cool and flavorful… and yes, incredibly easy pie you’ll make all season long. Or even, all year long.
See the Recipe
15
Side view of Instant Pot Coconut Rice in a white pasta bowl with fresh cilantro
Instant Pot Coconut Rice
Instant Pot Coconut Rice is a delicious side dish with 3 ingredients and 4 minutes of cooking time. A simple, dump-and-go recipe to love.
See the Recipe
16
Horizontal side view of stacked lime bars with quarter slices of limes.
Tropical Lime Bars
Indulge in the tropical flavors of coconut lime bars. These irresistible sweet treats are perfect for any occasion.
See the Recipe
17
Easy Foil Wrapped Salmon in Lime Garlic Butter Sauce | 31Daily.com
Easy Foil Wrapped Salmon in Lime Garlic Butter Sauce
This Easy Foil Wrapped Salmon in Lime Garlic Butter Sauce is one of our favorite ways to enjoy salmon. And my favorite way to make it! Crusty and tasty on the outside and so tender and deliciously flaky on the inside.
See the Recipe
18
Horizontal view of sliced Crockpot Pork Tenderloin with Orange Ginger sauce over rice with fresh orange slices.
Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Orange Ginger Sauce
Crock Pot pork tenderloin with a delicious Orange Ginger Sauce takes just minutes to prep. The result? Fall apart tender meat and amazing flavors!
See the Recipe
19
Bowl of rice noodle soup topped with half a boiled egg, pan choi and sliced chillies.
Thai Rice Noodle Soup with Bok Choi and Nam Prik
This easy Thai Rice Noodle Soup with Bok Choy and Thai Nam Prik sauce is an intensely flavored, savory comfort food dish that is ready in just 10 minutes! I love serving this hot, soothing bowl on weeknights – it is also easily customizable to your family tastes!
See the Recipe
20
tasteofhome.com
Kalua Pork
Planning a luau-themed party? This Kalua pork is the perfect main dish for your get-together. It will feed a crowd, it's easy to prepare, and everyone loves it. Cleanup is a breeze, too!
See the Recipe
21
tasteofhome.com
Caribbean Shrimp Bowl
This bowl is literally chock-full of veggies and has tons of Caribbean-inspired flavor! Plus, it is so simple to make and uses one skillet!
See the Recipe
22
Coconut Mug Cake topped with buttercream frosting and toasted coconut on a wood board
2 Minute Coconut Mug Cake
Coconut Mug Cake is a decadently delicious 2 minute microwave dessert that’s perfect for coconut cake lovers. It’s a simple moist and tender mug cake you’ll fall in love with.
See the Recipe
23
Top view of Thai Chicken Panang Curry garnished with Thai basil and Thai red peppers.
Thai Chicken Panang Curry Recipe
Thai Chicken Panang Curry is a classic Southeast Asian takeout favorite that’s simple to make at home with tender chicken and vegetables simmered in a fragrant coconut curry sauce. Perfect for 30 minute weeknight meals!
See the Recipe
24
Homemade Sweet and Spicy Coconut Curry Popcorn | 31Daily.com
Homemade Sweet and Spicy Coconut Curry Stovetop Popcorn
Coconut Curry Stovetop Popcorn is a snack favorite… for all time. It’s lightly sweet, spicy, and almost addictive with tropical flavors!
See the Recipe
25
Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Avocado Greek Yogurt Dip | 31Daily.com
Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Avocado Greek Yogurt Dip
Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Avocado Greek Yogurt Dip, a pairing made in heaven. Easy to make, and incredibly delicious.
See the Recipe
26
Side view of sweet potato hash with fried eggs on top in a black cast iron skillet.
Quick and Healthy Sweet Potato Hash
Sweet Potato Hash is a quick and healthy light meal, perfect for brunch, late dinners or mid-day Saturdays. Made in one skillet, sweet and spicy… and oh-so-delicious!
See the Recipe
27
Closeup top view of Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes on a wooden cutting board
Easy Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole
Enjoy a healthy, meatless twist with this wholesome Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole with delicious spices, spinach, and bell peppers!
See the Recipe

Planning a Luau?

If planning a luau sounds like a fun way to entertain this season, here are a few resources to transform your outdoor space into a tropical paradise:

More Recipes You May Also Love

Save This and Pin for Later

Make sure you don’t lose track of this article by pinning it for later! If you are not already, you can follow me on Pinterest, as well as keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *