Copycat Lawry’s® Hawaiian With Tropical Fruit Juices Marinade

Sweet, tangy, and bursting with pineapple and citrus, this Copycat Lawry’s® Hawaiian With Tropical Fruit Juices Marinade brings island flavor to chicken, pork, and shrimp — made from pantry staples in about 10 minutes.

If you have ever grabbed a bottle of Lawry’s® Hawaiian marinade off the shelf and wished you could make it fresh at home, this is the recipe for you. This homemade version captures that signature blend of tropical fruit juices, soy, ginger, and brown sugar — without the preservatives or the trip to the store. Whisk it together in one bowl, pour it over your favorite protein, and let the marinade do all the heavy lifting.

It is the kind of marinade that makes weeknight dinner feel like a backyard luau, and it has quickly become one of our favorite ways to dress up grilled chicken thighs and pork chops. If you love a good copycat sauce, you will also want to bookmark our Copycat Lawry’s Lemon Pepper Marinade for those nights when you are craving something bright and zesty instead.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Real tropical flavor. Pineapple and orange juice give it that authentic Hawaiian sweetness, while soy sauce and ginger keep it savory and balanced.
• Pantry-friendly. No specialty ingredients — just juices, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a few aromatics you probably already have.
• Incredibly versatile. Use it on chicken, pork, shrimp, salmon, tofu, or vegetables. It is right at home in our roundup of 10 Easy Chicken Marinades.
• Tenderizing power. The natural enzymes in pineapple juice break down tough fibers, so even budget cuts turn out juicy and tender.
• Make-ahead friendly. Whisk it up, store it in a jar, and you always have island flavor ready to go.

What Is Lawry’s® Hawaiian With Tropical Fruit Juices Marinade?

Lawry’s® is a brand best known for its seasoned salt and marinades, and the Hawaiian variety is a fan favorite for grilling season. It leans sweet and fruity, with layers of pineapple, passion fruit, and citrus balanced by soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of ginger. The result is a glossy, slightly sticky marinade that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.

This copycat version recreates that same sweet-and-savory profile using fresh juices and simple pantry ingredients, so you can control the sweetness, the salt, and the spice level yourself.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is everything that goes into this tropical marinade, plus a few notes to help you get it just right:

• Pineapple juice: The backbone of the marinade. It delivers tropical sweetness and gently tenderizes the meat. Canned or fresh both work.
• Orange juice: Adds bright citrus and rounds out the tropical fruit flavor. A splash of mango or guava nectar is a great swap if you have it. +
• Soy sauce: Brings the savory, umami depth that balances all that fruit. Use low-sodium if you are watching salt.
• Brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness and helps with that glossy, caramelized finish on the grill.
• Rice vinegar: A little acidity to keep everything bright and balanced.
• Sesame oil: Just a touch for a warm, nutty, island-inspired note.
• Fresh ginger: For that signature warm bite.
• Garlic: Minced, because almost every great marinade starts here.
• Cornstarch: Only if you want to cook the marinade down into a glaze later.

How to Make Copycat Lawry’s® Hawaiian Marinade

Step 1: Combine the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl or a lidded jar, whisk together the pineapple juice, orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until combined.

Step 2: Add the aromatics and sugar. Stir in the brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Whisk until the sugar fully dissolves and the marinade looks glossy.

Step 3: Marinate your protein. Place 1 to 2 pounds of chicken, pork, or shrimp in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the top, making sure every piece is coated. Seal and refrigerate.

Step 4: Cook. Remove your protein from the marinade and grill, bake, air fry, or pan-sear until cooked through. (Always discard marinade that touched raw meat, or boil it for at least one full minute before using it as a sauce.)

For a step-by-step look at grilling, baking, and pan-searing times, our guide to 10 Easy Chicken Marinades breaks it all down.

How Long to Marinate

Marinating time depends on your protein. The pineapple juice is powerful, so do not overdo it — too long and the surface can turn mushy.

• Shrimp & fish: 15 to 30 minutes
• Chicken breasts & thighs: 1 to 4 hours
• Pork chops & tenderloin: 2 to 6 hours
• Tofu & vegetables: 30 minutes to 2 hours

If you love marinating pork specifically, you will find even more ideas in our 10 Best Pork Marinade Recipes.

Tips for the Best Hawaiian Marinade

• Reserve some for serving. Set aside a few tablespoons of fresh marinade before it touches raw meat so you have a clean drizzle for the finished dish.
• Make it a glaze. Simmer the reserved marinade with a teaspoon of cornstarch slurry until it thickens, then brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Do not skip the pat-dry. Pat your protein dry before cooking so it sears and caramelizes instead of steaming.
• Watch the sugar. Because of the brown sugar and fruit juice, this marinade can scorch over high heat. Grill over medium and move pieces as needed.

Variations

• Spicy Hawaiian: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Teriyaki twist: Add an extra tablespoon of soy sauce and a teaspoon of honey for a thicker, teriyaki-style finish.
• Tropical upgrade: Swap the orange juice for mango or guava nectar for an even fruitier profile.
• Gluten-free: Use tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce — everything else is naturally gluten-free.

What to Serve With Hawaiian-Marinated Meats

Lean into the island theme with steamed jasmine rice, grilled pineapple, a crisp slaw, or coconut rice. This marinade is also fantastic on kebabs alongside bell peppers and red onion. Looking for more marinade inspiration for the rest of the week? Our 10 Easy Steak Marinades roundup is a great next stop, and the Best 3-Ingredient Steak Marinade is perfect for nights when you want big flavor with almost no effort.

Cooking plant-based? This marinade works beautifully on tofu — try the technique in our Greek Tofu Marinade post for tips on getting tofu to soak up every drop.

How to Store

Store unused marinade (that has not touched raw meat) in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Give it a good shake before using, since the ingredients will naturally separate. You can also freeze the marinade for up to 3 months — pour it into a freezer bag with your protein and freeze them together so the meat marinates as it thaws.

Never reuse marinade that has come into contact with raw meat unless you bring it to a full boil first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of juice? You can blend and strain fresh pineapple for the juice, but note that fresh pineapple has even more active enzymes than canned, so it tenderizes faster. Keep marinating times on the shorter end.

Is this marinade gluten-free? It can be — just use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce.

Can I use this as a stir-fry sauce? Absolutely. Simmer it with a cornstarch slurry until thickened and toss it with cooked chicken and vegetables.

Why is my marinated meat mushy? That is a sign it marinated too long. The pineapple enzymes break down protein quickly, so stick to the recommended times above.

What proteins work best? Chicken thighs, pork chops, shrimp, and salmon all shine here. For more ideas across every protein, browse our full collection of easy chicken marinades.

More Fork To Spoon Recipes You’ll Love

Loved this tropical marinade? Here are more island-inspired dishes, sides, and copycat sauces to round out your menu:

• What to Serve With Coconut Rice (25 Easy Side Dishes) — the perfect creamy, fluffy base for anything you marinate in this Hawaiian sauce.
• 22+ Chicken Dinner Bowl Recipes You’ll Want On Repeat — turn your Hawaiian chicken into a tropical rice bowl with pineapple, edamame, and avocado.
• Copycat Lawry’s Lemon Pepper Marinade — bright, zesty, and ready in 15 minutes for your next batch of chicken or shrimp.
• 10 Easy Chicken Marinades — a whole collection of quick, pantry-friendly marinades for grilling, baking, or air frying.
• 10 Best Pork Marinade Recipes — because this Hawaiian marinade is incredible on pork chops and tenderloin.
• 10 Easy Steak Marinades — bold, steakhouse-style flavor for your next grill night.
• Best 3-Ingredient Steak Marinade — big flavor with almost no effort, using staples you already have.
• Greek Tofu Marinade (Easy Lemon-Herb Recipe) — proof that a great marinade works on plant-based proteins too.