Ginger Grilled Oranges
Delightful Grilled Oranges are brushed with butter, cinnamon and ginger, then grilled until caramelized! Top these oranges with a scoop of ice cream for the perfect summer dessert!
Please consider the following a public service announcement: Grill your oranges, friends! I really love crisps and cobblers–They are my favorite desserts. There is just something about warm fruit and spices topped with ice cream. It is delicious.
So I wondered how oranges would do, but I kind of worried about how they would bake. So, I decided to take a different approach: Grill them!
I actually stood in front of the grill holding two sliced oranges debating on if I should continue with my experiment. I really hate wasting food and I couldn’t decide if I was about to char up a perfectly good orange for no reason. But of course, I caved.
I’m SO glad I did! This magical thing happens when you add cold ice cream laced with buttery pecans to piping hot citrus, just try it! You will see! This is absolutely the easiest dessert ever.
Ingredients for Grilled Fruit:
This recipe only requires five ingredients (six if you include the ice cream)! Here’s a quick overview of the ingredients for these tasty grilled oranges. For precise measurements, keep scrolling!
- Oranges (you could also try other citrus fruits!)
- Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Spices (I used cinnamon and ground ginger)
How do I make Ginger Grilled Oranges?
First, cut each orange in half. Then melt the butter and add the vanilla, ground ginger, and cinnamon. Stir the delicious spiced butter, then brush it onto the cut sides of each orange half. Finally, put them directly onto the grill, cut side down. For even cooking and nice grill marks, I let them cook for one minute, then I turned them 90 degrees clockwise and cooked another minute.
After I tasted this, I am totally clueless as to why this isn’t already a thing. It is so good! To take it from really good to totally excellent, I added a scoop of butter pecan ice cream on top and sprinkled a few extra pecans for good measure.
Tips & Tricks for the BEST Grilled Fruit
- Most importantly, you need to make sure your grill grates are clean before trying this recipe. If your grates have residue from previous foods, this will definitely affect the taste of your oranges.
- Brush the oranges with butter, not oil. This is really just a preference, but the butter really does mesh so much better with the taste of the orange. If you are looking to make this vegan or dairy-free, I would try a plant-based butter.
- Don’t overcook! The oranges don’t need to be “cooked” at all; we really just want them on the grill long enough to crystalize the sugar inside the fruit.
What should I serve with Grilled Oranges?
This is the easiest dessert ever with basically no prep work, no cleanup, and no dirty dishes! So what kind of meal would preface this tasty dessert best? More grilled dishes!
We love our kabobs and skewers here, so I would recommend these Salmon Kabobs with Greek Marinade or Chicken & Zucchini Skewers. These Mediterranean Shrimp Skewers would also be delicious!
If you really want to try something different, how about grilled pizza? This Grilled Pesto Chicken Pizza is packed full of flavor. For grilled sides, we always love these Keto Bacon Wrapped Green Beans or these Keto Jalapeno Poppers.
More Perfect Summer Fruit Desserts:
- Fruit Sorbet and Sparkling Wine Float (perfect for bridal showers!)
- Easy Blackberry Crisp (go over the top and add ice cream!)
- No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Lush (the layers are SO pretty!)
- Icebox Cakes (try it in Lemon or even this Mocha version!)
- Raspberry Green Tea Key Lime Popsicles (or these Strawberry and Vanilla Pudding Pops)
Reducing your sugar intake? Here are some great Keto Summer Desserts:
- Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries or these Key Lime Pie Stuffed Strawberries
- Low-Carb Blueberry Bars
- Strawberry Limeade Fruit Pizza
- Chocolate Cheesecake with Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- The BEST Lemon Bars
Get the Recipe: Ginger Grilled Oranges
Ingredients
- 3 Navel oranges, sliced in half
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- Butter Pecan Ice Cream for scooping
Instructions
- Slice the oranges. Be sure to slice them flat so they will sit on the grill.
- Melt the butter, then add the butter and cinnamon, ginger and vanilla together. Brush this mixture onto the cut side of the oranges.
- Place oranges directly on grill, let cook for one minute. Turn 90 degrees and let it cook for one more minute.
- Remove from grill and top with ice cream and additional pecans if desired.
Annie!!! This is so creative AND adorable. Love love love. I can’t wait to thaw up and fire up the grill! XO
Thanks Liz! I love grilling season!
Grilled oranges?! This is so creative, Annie! Love it! And it sounds perfect with a big ‘ole scoop of ice cream on top!
I have eaten this every single night for a week! haha! I just cannot get enough!
Wow, I am all about simplicity, so this is calling my name! Yum!
I agree Kelly! Sometimes simple is best! 🙂
I love this idea! So glad you continued on with your experiment!
Me too! I will be grilling all sorts of fruits now! 🙂
I love this idea! I’ve seen grilled grapefruits before and have always wanted to try it. But grilled oranges is even better! And I just so happen to have a big 5 pound bag of oranges I’m trying to eat my way thru : )
Try it Natalie! 🙂 You will love it! I ate the left over grill oranges in a yogurt parfait the next day and it was so good!
Grilling oranges is such a great idea, Annie! I’ve never tried it before, but after seeing this recipe I am definitely giving it a try next time we grill. Love these and that ice cream on top is such a great touch too!
Thanks Danielle! I am addicted!
You are so creative! I would never have thought to grill oranges! And the best part is there is no bowl, right?
Exactly!!! The fewer dishes, the better!
I’ve grilled a lot of fruit in my time, and even lemons, but never oranges! These sound so tasty with the ginger, and with butter pecan ice cream even better!
I was so happy with how these turned out! I will be doing this a lot! 🙂 Thanks Marcie!
What a great idea, Annie. Never thought to grill my oranges, but I can imagine this tasting quite good! <3
Thanks Audrey!! They are so good!
Dear Annie, I love this idea…oranges are my favorite and this is a great way to enjoy then. The pecan ice cream is a delicious finishing touch. xo, Catherine
These oranges are absolutely swoon worthy Annie! I love grilled fruit! Pinned!
Ahhh this is such a great idea!! It makes so much sense… I always broil grapefruit halves sprinkled with brown sugar and the high heat brings out so much great flavor. I will definitely have to try oranges (and grapefruits!) on the grill!
So, I’m guessing the vanilla and ginger are to be mixed with the cinnamon and butter in step 2, is that right?
Hi Phoebe! Yes you are correct. I have updated the instructions. Thanks for catching that! 🙂