Description
These vibrant Grilled Shrimp Pineapple Skewers offer a perfect summer dish combining succulent, smoky shrimp with sweet caramelized pineapple chunks. Enhanced with a zesty, herb-infused marinade, they are quick to prepare, nutritious, and visually appealing – ideal for backyard barbecues, light meals, or impressing guests with tropical flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12–16 fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup ripe pineapple chunks, about 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- Salt, to taste (about ½ teaspoon)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (about ¼ teaspoon)
- 6–8 wooden skewers (pre-soaked in water for 30 minutes) or metal skewers
Optional Herbs and Spices
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro, basil, rosemary, thyme, or dill (choose according to preference)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, honey (or brown sugar), salt, pepper, and any chosen herbs or spices. Whisk well to create a vibrant marinade that infuses the shrimp with zesty and sweet notes.
- Marinate the shrimp: Add peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to absorb flavors without becoming mushy.
- Assemble the skewers: Alternating shrimp and pineapple chunks, thread them onto pre-soaked wooden or metal skewers. Aim for about 3-4 shrimp and 3-4 pineapple pieces per skewer for even grilling and easy serving.
- Preheat and oil your grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking and create beautiful grill marks.
- Grill the skewers: Place skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning carefully until shrimp is opaque and pineapple caramelized with char marks. Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep it tender.
- Serve immediately: Plate skewers right away to maintain juiciness and freshness. Garnish as desired and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for best texture and flavor.
- Pre-soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Do not marinate shrimp for longer than 30 minutes to avoid mushy texture.
- Cut pineapple chunks evenly (about 1 inch) to ensure uniform cooking.
- Maintain medium-high heat on the grill to lock in moisture and get a perfect char without overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American / Tropical
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg