Oh, summer grilling! Is there anything better? The smoky aroma, the al fresco dining, the sheer joy of a perfectly cooked skewer. And let me tell you, if you’re looking to elevate your BBQ game this year, you absolutely *have* to try my Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers Recipe Delight. Seriously, these little flavor bombs are the absolute bomb! They’re so ridiculously easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight, and they always disappear lightning fast. Imagine this: plump, juicy shrimp grilled to perfection, mingling with sweet, slightly charred pineapple chunks, all coated in this irresistible glaze that’s got just the right kick of spice. I remember the first time I made these… the look on my family’s faces was priceless. Pure summer bliss on a stick, if you ask me! You know, speaking of quick shrimp fix, check out this sheet pan shrimp bake recipe – another winner for those busy nights!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers Recipe Delight
Honestly, I could sing the praises of these skewers all day long, but here’s the real scoop on why you’ll be making them again and again:
- Crazy Easy to Make: Seriously, the prep is a breeze. Most of the magic happens in the glaze, and assembly is a no-brainer. Perfect for when you want something super tasty without a ton of fuss.
- Lightning Fast Cooking: Shrimp cooks super quickly, especially on the grill. You’ll have these beauties ready to go in about 10 minutes flat! Dinner solved.
- Flavor Explosion: This is where it gets good! You get that lovely sweetness from the pineapple, a savory punch from the soy sauce, and then BAM – a little spicy kick from the sriracha that just wakes everything up. It’s the perfect combo!
- Grill Master Approved: They’re made for grilling, folks! The char marks, the slightly caramelized pineapple, the perfectly pink shrimp… it’s summer perfection.
- Crowd Pleaser Extraordinaire: Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a casual get-together, these skewers are always a huge hit. Even picky eaters tend to gobble these up!
- Super Versatile: Serve them as an appetizer, or pile them high over some fluffy rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal. They’re just that good!
Gather Your Ingredients for Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
Alright, let’s get down to business! To make these little bundles of joy, you don’t need a whole fancy pantry. Just a few key items, and you’re golden. First up, you’ll want about a pound of nice, big shrimp. Make sure they’re peeled and deveined – nobody likes a surprise crunch! Then for that glorious sweetness, grab about a cup of pineapple chunks. Fresh is fantastic if you have it, but good old canned works like a charm too. Just make sure they’re cut into bite-sized pieces, you know, about 1-inch chunks. This recipe is also super forgiving, so don’t stress too much about perfection here. For the glaze, we’ll need some soy sauce, honey for that sticky sweetness, sriracha for a kick (adjust this to your spice preference!), a clove of garlic that’s been minced super fine, and a little bit of fresh ginger, grated. Oh, and a touch of olive oil. That should do it! Easy peasy, right? If you love garlic and shrimp, you should totally check out this amazing garlic butter shrimp recipe too!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
Alright, team, let’s get these flavor bombs onto the grill! Making these Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers is honestly super straightforward, and I promise you’ll be grilling like a pro in no time. Just follow these simple steps, and get ready for some serious compliments.
Soaking Skewers: A Crucial First Step
Okay, first things first, if you’re using those lovely wooden skewers, we need to give them a nice, long soak. Trust me on this one! Pop them into a shallow dish filled with water and let them hang out for at least 30 minutes. This little step is super important because it stops them from turning into tiny charcoal sticks on your grill. We want perfectly cooked shrimp and pineapple, not burnt wood! So get those soaking while you prep everything else.
Crafting the Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Glaze
Now for the star of the show – that amazing glaze! Grab a small bowl – your trusty mixing bowl will do just fine. We’re going to whisk together the soy sauce, honey, and that fiery sriracha. You can totally tweak the sriracha amount here if you like it milder or spicier, just go with your gut! Next, add in your minced garlic and that lovely grated fresh ginger. Give it all a good whisk until it’s all combined beautifully. This is where all those amazing sweet, savory, and spicy notes start to come together. Smells amazing already, right?
Assembling the Skewers
Time to make some magic happen on those skewers! Take your soaked wooden skewers (or metal ones, if you’re using those), and start threading on your shrimp and pineapple chunks. I like to alternate them, so you get a bit of shrimp, then a chunk of pineapple, then shrimp again, and so on. This not only makes them look super pretty when they’re done, but it also helps everything cook evenly. Don’t cram them too tightly, give them a little breathing room so the heat can get to them. Once they’re all threaded, give them a generous brush all over with that glorious pineapple glaze we just made. Don’t be shy with the glaze – more is more here!
Grilling Your Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
Okay, grill time! Get your grill heated up to a nice medium-high heat. While it’s warming up, give those grill grates a quick brush with some olive oil. This is your secret weapon against sticking. Carefully lay your glazed skewers onto the hot grates. We’re usually looking at about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Keep an eye on them! You want the shrimp to turn that beautiful pink color and curl up slightly, and the pineapple should get those lovely little charred marks and start to caramelize. During the last minute of grilling, I like to give them another quick brush with any extra glaze from the bowl. It just adds that extra layer of sticky goodness. Once they’re cooked through (make sure the shrimp are totally opaque and not translucent!), carefully take them off the grill. Give them a little sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste, and voilà! Pure grilled perfection. If you’re a fan of grilling these kinds of flavor combos, you’ve got to check out these chicken and pineapple skewers too – they’re another summer staple!
Tips for Perfect Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
Okay, listen up, because I’ve made these skewers more times than I can count, and I’ve learned a few little tricks that make them truly shine! First off, the shrimp – make sure you’re using large or extra-large ones. The little tiny shrimp just disappear on the grill, and nobody wants that. They should be about the same size as your pineapple chunks so everything cooks evenly. Speaking of pineapple, if you’re using fresh, make sure it’s ripe and sweet! A store-bought glaze is okay in a pinch, but the fresh stuff just takes it to another level. And for grilling, really watch the clock! Shrimp cook SO fast. You do NOT want to overcook them, or they get rubbery. That 3-4 minutes per side is usually spot-on, but always err on the side of slightly *under* rather than over. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some red onion chunks or bell pepper pieces to the skewers too – they grill up beautifully! I also love tossing them with just a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and maybe a few thinly sliced green onions right before serving. It adds such a fresh finish. And hey, if you loved the idea of chicken and pineapple together, definitely check out these yummy chicken and pineapple skewers – they’re another favorite on my grill!
Serving and Storage Suggestions
Okay, your Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers are hot off the grill, and they smell absolutely divine! These beauties are best served right away while they’re warm and juicy. They’re fantastic just as they are, maybe with a little sprinkle of fresh cilantro or some thinly sliced green onions for a pop of color and freshness. If you want to make it a full meal, these guys pair perfectly with some fluffy white rice – check out this amazing pineapple chicken with rice which would be a fantastic base, or this pineapple chicken and rice recipe for more ideas! You could also serve them alongside a light, crisp salad for a lighter meal. Now, if by some miracle you have leftovers (which I highly doubt!), just pop them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat, I find gently warming them in a skillet over low heat or popping them into a toaster oven for a few minutes works best. Just don’t zap them in the microwave for too long or they might get a little chewy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
Got questions about these amazing skewers? I’ve got you covered! These are some things people often ask, and I’m happy to share the lowdown.
Can I make these skewers ahead of time?
You can totally prep the glaze and thread the skewers a few hours ahead of grilling! Just keep them covered and refrigerated. However, the real magic happens when they’re grilled fresh, so I wouldn’t do the full cooking and then try to reheat them if you can help it. They’re best enjoyed right off the grill for that perfect texture.
What kind of shrimp is best for these skewers?
For the best results with these Sweet And Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers, always go for large or extra-large shrimp. You want them to be sturdy enough to hold up on the skewer and grill nicely without falling apart. Make sure they’re peeled and deveined, of course, because we want easy eating!
Can I bake these instead of grilling?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a grill or the weather isn’t cooperating, you can totally bake these. Just preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), arrange the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t get quite the same char as grilling, but they’ll still be delicious!
How do I prevent the pineapple from burning?
Pineapple has natural sugars, so it caramelizes and can burn faster than shrimp. Keep a close eye on them during grilling! If the pineapple starts to look too dark while the shrimp are still cooking, you can carefully move the skewers to a cooler part of the grill for a few minutes until everything is perfectly done.
Nutritional Information (Estimate)
Just a little heads-up, any nutritional info I share is always an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the exact brands you use, how big your shrimp are, and, of course, how generous you are with that glaze! But for roughly two skewers, you’re looking at around 180 calories, about 5g of fat, and a solid 15g of protein. It’s a pretty lean and mean dish, perfect for a healthy meal!
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Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy grilled shrimp skewers with a sweet and spicy pineapple glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sriracha, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
- Thread the shrimp and pineapple chunks onto the prepared skewers, alternating them.
- Brush the skewers generously with the pineapple glaze.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Lightly oil the grill grates.
- Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through and the pineapple is slightly caramelized.
- Brush with remaining glaze during the last minute of grilling.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Serve immediately.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: shrimp skewers, pineapple shrimp, sweet and spicy, grilled shrimp, easy recipe, seafood, summer grilling