Description
These Grilled Shrimp Pineapple Skewers are a delightful summer dish featuring fresh shrimp marinated in a zesty and sweet blend of lime, garlic, and honey, paired with juicy pineapple chunks. Perfectly grilled to achieve a smoky char and tender texture, this recipe combines savory seafood flavors with tropical sweetness for a balanced, easy-to-make appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped herbs (cilantro, basil, rosemary, thyme, or dill, according to preference)
Main Ingredients
- 12-16 fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup ripe pineapple chunks (about 1-inch pieces)
- 6-8 wooden skewers (pre-soaked in water for 30 minutes) or metal skewers
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, honey (or brown sugar), salt, pepper, paprika, chili flakes, and your choice of freshly chopped herbs to create a vibrant and flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the shrimp to absorb the flavors without becoming mushy.
- Assemble the Skewers: Alternate threading shrimp and pineapple chunks onto the pre-soaked wooden or metal skewers, aiming for 3-4 shrimp and 3-4 pineapple pieces per skewer for balanced grilling and serving portions.
- Preheat and Oil the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent the shrimp and pineapple from sticking and to encourage beautiful grill marks during cooking.
- Grill the Skewers: Place the assembled skewers on the grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning carefully until the shrimp turns opaque and the pineapple caramelizes with char marks. Take care not to overcook the shrimp to maintain its tenderness.
- Serve: Remove skewers from the grill and plate immediately to preserve juiciness and freshness. Optionally, garnish with extra fresh herbs as desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Pre-soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Marinating shrimp for longer than 30 minutes can cause the texture to become mushy due to the acid in lime juice.
- Adjust the chili flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
- If grill access is unavailable, the skewers can be cooked under a broiler or on a stovetop grill pan with similar results.
- Use fresh herbs that complement the other flavors; cilantro adds brightness, while rosemary or thyme offers earthiness.
