Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers

These sweet and spicy pineapple shrimp skewers are a quick and easy summer app or entree. They require just four ingredients and are perfect for any summer BBQ.

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These sweet and spicy pineapple shrimp skewers are the easiest summer recipe you’ll want to add to your grilling rotation. They’re also a fantastic recipe to serve on Fourth of July or other summer BBQs, along with your other favorite BBQ foods.

When I was planning up summer recipes, I knew I had to include a skewer recipe. I love skewer recipes because it’s easy to mix and match protein, fruits, vegetables and sauces to create delicious combinations.

These pineapple shrimp skewers are the perfect balance of sweet and slightly spicy. They incorporate some Asian flavors, but still feel very tropical. I like to have these as an appetizer or an entree with rice and a vegetable.

You’ll Love This Recipe Because:

• It’s quick and very easy
• Requires only 4 ingredients
• Can be made on the grill or indoors
• It’s perfect for summer BBQs

Ingredients

Shrimp: I like to use Argentinian shrimp but any type of large raw shrimp will work.
Pineapple: You can by a whole pineapple and segment it into chunks or buy precut pineapple chunks.
Sweet chili sauce: the sweet chili is the ‘sweet’ in the sweet and spicy. I like the one from Trader Joe’s but you can find this at any store along with other Asian sauces and products.
Sambal: the ‘spicy’ in sweet and spicy. Sambal adds a nice kick and balances out the sweetness of the chili sauce. Sriracha, gochujang or red chili flakes can be used instead.

What You’ll Need

Skewers: You can use wooden or metal skewers
Small bowl: for mixing the sauce
Pastry brush: my absolute favorite pastry brush!
Grill
or
Grill press: we have and love this one by Cuisinart
or
Grill pan: I love the Lodge brand for its affordability and quality

Instructions

If you are using wooden skewers on the grill, make sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes before using.

In a small bowl, add sweet chili sauce and sambal and mix to combine.

Thread shrimp and pineapple chunks onto skewers. Continue until all shrimp and pineapple are used. You should get 9-10 skewers.

Using a pastry brush, brush sauce onto both sides of each pineapple shrimp skewer.

Heat grill to medium high heat. Add pineapple shrimp skewers and cook for 3 minutes. Brush skewers with any remaining sauce.

Flip skewers and cook another 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and opaque.

Remove skewers and to a serving dish. Garish with chopped parsley and lime wedges (optional). Serve warm.

Don’t Have a Grill?

Not a problem at all! I’ve also made this recipe on a grill pan and grill press and they have come out beautifully every time.

Grill pan: Heat grill pan to medium heat. Grease pan and place 3 to 4 pineapple shrimp skewers on pan. Cook for 3 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until shrimp are cooked through and opaque.

Grill press: Heat grill press to medium high or high heat (depending on your settings). Grease grill press and place 3 to 4 pineapple shrimp skewers on grill press and close. Cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip halfway if you feel like your grill press creates grill marks better on one side than the other (this was the case for our grill press, so we flipped them after 3 minutes, and cooked for an additional 2 minutes).

Tips

• If you are using wooden skewers and using the grill, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. If you are using metal skewers and/or using a grill pan or grill press, you do not need to do this.
• It does not matter how long your skewers are. Thread on as much shrimp and pineapple as you can while still having enough room on the top and bottom to grab the skewers.
• Ensure your pineapple chunks are all around the same size and about the same size as the shrimp to ensure skewers lay flat and everything can cook evenly.
• If you would like to have some sauce for dipping the skewers into, reserve some sauce into a small bowl before brushing pineapple shrimp skewers.

What to serve with Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers

Grilled chicken: try an Asian inspired marinade such as teriyaki
Grilled vegetables: I love grilled zucchini, squash, bell peppers and portobello mushrooms
Rice: white rice, brown rice or other grain.
Salad: a simple garden salad or try my Crunchy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing

Substitutions and Additions

Pineapple: chunks of mango would be a great substitute that will still keep things tropical.
Sambal: use an equal amount of gochujang in place of the sambal or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Veggies: red bell pepper and red or sweet onion would be delicious additions

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Honey Sriracha Shrimp Bowls
• Coconut Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Rice and Mango Salsa
• Summer Shrimp and Corn Risotto
• Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa
• Southwest Pasta Salad

If you make these Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers, be sure to leave a comment below and rate this recipe! If you snap a pic, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thechowdown! I love seeing your creations!