Description
Tropical summer nights come alive with grilled shrimp pineapple skewers, a zesty Caribbean-inspired delicacy. Sweet caramelized pineapple and succulent shrimp create a perfect harmony that transports you to sun-soaked beaches with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
Fruits and Vegetables:
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Prepare wooden skewers by submerging them in cold water for a minimum of 20 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
- Create a vibrant marinade by whisking together olive oil, zesty lime juice, minced garlic, golden honey, fiery chili powder, sea salt, and cracked black pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Immerse raw shrimp in the marinade, gently coating each piece and allowing them to absorb flavors for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- While shrimp marinates, cube fresh pineapple into uniform chunks and slice bell peppers into bite-sized pieces.
- Carefully thread marinated shrimp, pineapple chunks, and bell pepper segments onto pre-soaked skewers, alternating ingredients for visual appeal and balanced flavor.
- Heat outdoor grill to medium-high temperature, targeting approximately 375-400 degrees fahrenheit for optimal cooking conditions.
- Arrange prepared skewers on clean grill grates, ensuring even heat distribution and preventing sticking.
- Cook skewers for 2-3 minutes per side, rotating carefully to achieve light caramelization on pineapple and ensuring shrimp turn opaque pink throughout.
- Remove skewers from grill when shrimp are fully cooked and pineapple displays attractive golden-brown grill marks.
- Transfer to serving platter and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and optional lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus brightness.
Notes
- Prevent wooden skewers from burning by soaking them thoroughly in water for at least 20 minutes before grilling.
- Enhance flavor development by marinating shrimp for no longer than 15-20 minutes, as citrus can start to “cook” the protein if left too long.
- Keep shrimp tender by watching cooking time closely; overcooking makes them tough and rubbery, so aim for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn opaque pink.
- Adjust heat and skewer placement to create beautiful grill marks without charring the delicate shrimp and sweet pineapple chunks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg