Turn any Tutu’s Pantry sauce into a real marinade, done right.

Our Hawaiian BBQ sauces aren’t just for topping, they’re built to marinate. Real fruit, real chili peppers, and a little Maui sugar and mesquite work into the meat over time, not just sitting on top of it. Here’s how to use them properly.

How to Marinate with Hawaiian BBQ Sauce

Step 1: Choose a sauce that matches your protein. Tropical fruit-based sauces like Pineapple or Guava BBQ Sauce work beautifully with chicken, pork, and salmon. Bolder, spicier sauces hold up better against red meat and ribs.

Step 2: Coat and refrigerate. Coat your protein fully in sauce, place it in a sealed container or bag, and refrigerate. Never marinate at room temperature.

Step 3: Give it time. Seafood needs only 15 to 30 minutes. Chicken and pork do well with 1 to 4 hours. Tougher cuts like ribs or brisket benefit from marinating overnight.

Step 4: Never reuse raw marinade. Any marinade that touched raw meat, poultry, or seafood should be discarded or boiled for at least one full minute before using it as a sauce or basting liquid.

Step 5: Grill and baste. Cook as usual, brushing on a little extra sauce in the final few minutes of grilling for a caramelized glaze.

Best for Chicken, Pork & Salmon

Tropical fruit sweetness balances rich or delicate proteins without overpowering them.

• Pineapple BBQ Sauce — fresh pineapple, Maui onion, ginger, and mesquite
• Guava BBQ Sauce — tangy guava, Maui onion, and a smoky mesquite finish

Best for Ribs, Brisket & Red Meat

Bolder, deeper flavor that can stand up to a long marinate and a hot grill.

• Spicy Mango BBQ Sauce — sweet, spicy, and smoky, made with fresh mango and Hawaiian peppers
• Tutu’s Pantry Hawaiian BBQ Sauce — pineapple, molasses, and a whisper of liquid smoke

A Quick Note on Food Safety

Marinating is easy, but a few habits keep it safe: always marinate in the refrigerator, never on the counter, and never pour raw marinade over cooked food unless it’s been boiled first. When in doubt, set aside a small portion of sauce before it touches raw meat, specifically for basting and serving later.

Ready to Fire Up the Grill?

Browse the full Barbecue collection for more Hawaiian sauces made for marinating, basting, and grilling.