This sweet, lightly spicy, and citrusy recipe for pineapple Shrimp Kabobs is the mouthwatering summertime recipe you’ve been waiting for! They’re easy to customize, can be cooked a variety of ways, and the shrimp marinade is just FIVE ingredients.
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Why You’ll Love This Delicious Shrimp Recipe
- Dangerously Delicious. I will warn you: these coconut pineapple shrimp are habit forming (Grilled Salmon is too). They deftly combine salty-sweet flavors, and the hot sauce is subtle. It won’t burn your mouth and slow you down, but as you devour shrimp kabob after shrimp kabob, you will slowly begin to realize that it was the kick that kept you munching all along.
- Fast. Like my Air Fryer Shrimp, this recipe is quick! Five minutes of cook time are all that these shrimp kabobs need. They’re incredibly fast, making them a perfect choice for a busy weeknight or party appetizer.
- Easy. Kabobs are an easy yet impressive way to grill. Chicken Kabobs were my first foray into skewer-style cooking, soon followed by Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers (DEAD EASY). Eventually, shrimp kabobs came into the mix. SOLD. They’re incredibly easy to prepare and can be adapted as needed.
5 Star Review
“They were a big hit. Everyone couldn’t stop talking about them and how good they were, especially the heat of the tabasco giving it that kick!! I will make these again!!!”
— Amanda —
How to Make Shrimp Kabobs
The Ingredients
- Shrimp. From Garlic Shrimp with Quinoa, Mediterranean Shrimp, to simple Grilled Shrimp–shrimp recipes are always a crowd-pleaser. They’re delicious, cook quickly, and are packed with protein, omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals.
- Pineapple. I know shrimp kabobs with fruit might sound a little odd, but pineapple shrimp is dreamy, especially with this marinade.
- Coconut Milk. To make the shrimp extra juicy and balance the heat.
- Fresh Lime Juice and Orange Juice. To turn the shrimp kabobs into summer gold on a skewer.
- Soy Sauce. To provide essential saltiness. I like soy sauce in place of plain-old kosher salt here, because its flavor is more complex and balances well with the sweetness of fruit you may add, like pineapple.
- Tabasco. The somethin’ somethin’ that gives the shrimp kabobs a Cajun edge. Tabasco adds the right amount of heat to unite the rest of the ingredients, and its spice will cause you to reach for “just one more” shrimp skewer…three times in a row.
The Directions
- Marinate the Shrimp. Now is a great time to soak the wooden skewers (if using) and prep the pineapple.
- Thread. Alternate between the shrimp and pineapple pieces.
- Grill. Grill the kabobs over medium-high heat, turning once about halfway through. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Stovetop Shrimp Kabobs. Use a stovetop grill pan like this reversible one or this skillet/grill combo. Grill the kabobs over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more.
- Oven Shrimp Kabobs. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place the threaded skewers onto the baking sheet. Place into oven and roast just until pink, firm, and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mango Shrimp Kabobs. Swap the pineapple for mango. Shrimp kabobs with pineapple and mango would be particularly summery.
- Grilled Shrimp Kabobs with Vegetables and Pineapple. You can use almost any kind you like for shrimp and vegetable kabobs, as long as it is somewhat “soft” and easy to spear. My favorite is Hawaiian shrimp kabobs with a mix of red peppers, pineapple, and red onion. We like mushrooms and zucchini too.
- Sausage Shrimp Kabobs. For a meaty, Cajun twist, try shrimp and sausage kabobs! Cut precooked andouille sausage into coins the same thickness as the shrimp, tucking them into the shrimp’s curve so that the shrimp wraps around the outside. Thread onto the skewers together.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate shrimp and pineapple in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat. Very gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
- To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Leftover Ideas
Leftover shrimp and pineapple would make a fantastic addition to Egg Fried Rice.
What to Serve with Shrimp Kabobs
- Grains. Quinoa, brown rice, or white rice would be delicious with this recipe.
- Veggies. Pair these kabobs with Sauteed Broccoli, Air Fryer Green Beans, or Roasted Carrots. Or, toss some Grilled Zucchini on the barbie while the cook.
- Salad. Arugula Salad, Spinach Strawberry Salad, Asian Cucumber Salad, and Ramen Salad would be tasty with these kabobs.
- Noodles. Serve this recipe with Vegetable Lo Mein or Asian Noodle Salad.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Mixing Bowls. With a selection of sizes, this set is a fabulous addition to your kitchen.
- Brush. Great for brushing the marinade onto the kabobs.
- Tongs. My go-to grilling tool.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Soak Your Skewers. If you are using wooden skewers with any open flame, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes first so that they do not burn. If you’re using metal skewers, you can skip this step.
- Watch the Shrimp. Overcooked, rubbery shrimp is the enemy. Cook the shrimp just until they are pink and opaque. This can happen in as few as 2 to 3 minutes per side, so don’t walk away!
- Make Them Your Own. Looking to season the shrimp kabobs with a dry spice blend rather than a wet marinade? Use my all-purpose Grilled Shrimp Seasoning instead. Not ideal grilling weather? Make them indoors! As the “Recipe Variations” section above can attest, this recipe is extremely flexible and easy to adapt.
Shrimp Kabobs
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light coconut milk*
- 4 teaspoons Tabasco Original Red Sauce or hot sauce of choice
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice from about 2 large limes
- 1 pound large shrimp 31-40 count, peeled and deveined (you can use fresh or frozen, thawed shrimp)
- ¾ pound pineapple chunks 1 inch-cut
- Canola oil for grilling
- Freshly chopped cilantro and/or green onion for serving
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the coconut milk, Tabasco sauce, soy sauce, orange juice, and lime juice. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate for 1-2 hours, tossing occasionally. If using wooden skewers, soak in warm water while the shrimp marinates. Meanwhile, prepare the pineapple if needed.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the shrimp from the marinade, and reserve the marinade for grilling. Thread the shrimp onto skewers, alternating with the pineapple.
- Lightly brush the grill with canola oil, then place the shrimp on the grill. Grill the shrimp for 3 minutes, brushing with the marinade, then turn and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, brushing with the marinade again, until the shrimp are just cooked through. Remove to a serving plate and garnish with cilantro and green onion. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- *If you purchase a can of coconut milk for this recipe, you will have some leftover. You can freeze it for a future time, use it in smoothies, or try it in any of my recipes that include coconut milk as an ingredient (full list of coconut milk recipes here.)
- TO STORE: Refrigerate shrimp and pineapple in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Very gently rewarm shrimp kabobs in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze shrimp kabobs in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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Sign Me UpFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can cook shrimp kabobs on any kind of grill: charcoal, gas (what we have), Traeger, Green Egg, and yes, even George Foreman (shout out to my first apartment!).
While these kabobs already have a kick to them, you can turn up the heat if desired. Feel free to up the amount of Tabasco in the shrimp marinade, or serve the kabobs with the bottle so everyone can add more as they wish.
Thread the shrimp through the thickest end first, then thread through the tail end. When adding the shrimp to the skewers, reverse which direction the tail faces each time.
Awesome seeing the pics again, that was such a fun trip! Love these shrimp sticks too!!
These look SO good!!! Simple and summery – yum!
(p.s. – what’s the asterisk for, beside the coconut milk in the recipe?)
I hope you love them Jill! The asterisk ties to the recipe notes section—I have a few ideas for what to do with any coconut milk you may have leftover :)
Love the recipe and so jealous you got to go to the Tabasco factory!
Erin, these look DIVINE. I am in a grilling mood now that the weather is getting warmer, and I think I need to put this next on the “to grill” list! Also, it’s so neat that you got to go behind the scenes and see where Tabasco is made! What a neat experience!
Jess
This marinade sounds wonderful. I would do it with chicken because my husband does not like shrimp unless they are breaded and deep fried. If I had a choice between being allowed to try a lot of new dishes or making my husband eat shrimp, I’d choose the former, hands down. :-)
hey girl this looks so yummy! Have a great weekend!
How fun to go see Tabasco’s factory! This marinade sounds perfect for so many things too.
Erin, I made these skewers tonight and they were FABULOUS. I’m new to grilling and this has been my favorite experiment so far. My husband does not really like shrimp OR hot sauce (ridiculous, I know! :), so I was curious whether I’d be able to convince him to eat it, and he declared it the best shrimp recipe that he has had. Nice work!
Melissa, I’m soooooo excited to hear this! Thanks so much for sharing your review—and it sounds like you turned your hubby into a shrimp lover too! Love it :)
Dear Erin,
Thank you so much for this recipe! I made these, and served them with a curry risoto and it was a real treat! Love your other recipes too!
Greetings from Belgium,
Linde
Linde, I am thrilled to hear this!! Thanks so much for trying the recipe and sharing your review. Also, I hope you are having a lovely summer in Belgium. I’ve never been and would love to visit someday!
I’m making enough for this to be full course. What sides will go well with this?
Hi Christine! You really can serve this with whatever you like. I think a brown rice dish might be nice, along with a green salad or grilled veggies. If you like, you can check out all of the side dishes on my blog here: https://www.wellplated.com/category/recipes-by-type/side-dishes-recipe-type/.
Great recipe! I wanted to make my fiancée shrimp as it’s her favorite and these did not disappoint. I am also envious you got to go to the Tabasco factory! Thanks from my fiancée’s family and I for a great meal
Brad, I’m so glad to hear the recipe was a winner! Thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing how it turned out.
Absolutely delicious looking!!! I’ve included your recipe in a roundup of amazing pineapple recipes. :) http://casawatkinsliving.com/2017/07/13-amazing-ways-to-cook-with-pineapples/
Thanks so much Stephanie!
Hi, can you soak the shrimp overnight. Trying to do as much prep work the night before for a bbq/pool party at the neighborhood pool and want to minimize day of prep. Thanks!
Hi JJ, shrimp can get mushy if it sits in marinade for a long time, so I wouldn’t recommend letting it sit overnight. I would try a shorter marinade time (say 30 minutes or so) if you’re looking to cut down on time!
Would it be ok to put together skewers ahead of time and throw it into the marinade before leaving the house in a ziploc bag? It will prolly be at least half an hour before we get there and get grilled fired up.
I made the coconut pineapple shrimp for the first time and they were a big hit at the bbq. Everyone couldn’t stop talking about them and how good they were especially the heat of the tabasco giving it that kick!! I will make these again!!!
I am so happy to hear how much you all enjoyed these Amanda, thank you!!
ohhh sounds soo good..I plan to grill colossal big shrimp in shell for a party..would this work with big shrimp in shell?Thank You
Hi Margaret! I’ve never actually grilled shrimp in the shell, believe it or not! I’d compare the cooking times for the shrimp to those of the skewers in the recipe. If they are very different, you can always do separate skewers, one for the shrimp and one for the pineapple. I hope you have a great time at the party!
Hi there. I just wanted to let you know that Pride of the Sea Restaurant in Matawan, NJ is using this picture and claiming it as their own dish. https://imgur.com/a/57BDkFs
Thanks for letting me know, Shannon!
Make these! Amazing flavor! Even cooking them in the oven (Rained!)
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Amanda! Thanks for reporting back!
Erin, I regularly do homemade pizza with shrimp( somewhat pre-sauteed) and pinnapple. Delicious as is your recipie. Thank you! Grilled on stovetop grill, along with mushrooms an onions. Will do again.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, John! Thanks for taking the time to report back.
I read you recommend grilled veggies as a side with the shrimp. What marinade do you recommend that will pair well with this shrimp dish?? Thank yoi
Great question Susan! For veggies, I usually do a simple olive oil, salt, and pepper. It hits the spot and is great to pair with any dish.
Erin, just wondering, could I substitute Tofu for the shrimp?
Thanks!
Rossana, I’ve actually never grilled tofu, so I’m not sure how it would hold together. If you want to experiment, you could try using extra firm tofu (it must be extra firm!), press as much of the liquid from it as possible, and cut it into large chunks. I’d marinade it for at least an hour prior to grilling and bump up the seasoning in the marinade. If you decide to play around, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Just made this recipe and it was amazing! Can I make these for meal prep? If so, best way to store? How long do they last?
Hi Penelope! The cooked skewers will probably last a couple days in the fridge. Shrimp can dry out and get tough if cooked too much, so it may not reheat the best. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed them!
I made this marinade and haven’t put the shrimp in yet. Upon tasting, it is very hot, if the shrimp are as hot as the marinade, this will be inedible. Can anyone confirm the shrimp will not be as hot as the marinade? Are we just wimps?? Haha – everyone has left such great reviews!
Hi, we found this recipe to have the perfect amount of spice, but if it ended up being too hot for you, you could always dial the spice back a bit next time. I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
I’m sorry, but these were not for us. We found the texture of the shrimp to be almost mushy. The flavor was absolutely wretched. Even our outdoor animals (who eat ANYTHING) just sniffed and walked away. I used regular coconut milk (light not available), cut the Tobasco by 1/2, and used bottled lime juice. Otherwise followed recipe perfectly. If I did something wrong, I don’t know what it was. Thank you for sharing your recipe, Erin.
Hi, I’m so sorry to hear this recipe wasn’t a hit for you. I (and many other readers) loved this dish, so I’m not sure what might’ve gone wrong. Regardless, I know it’s frustrating to try a recipe and not have it turn out, so I really wish you would’ve enjoyed it!
ALL RECIPES ARE FANTASTIC
Thank you for sharing this incredibly kind comment, Ken!
Can you use almond milk instead of coconut
Hi Kelsea! Since canned coconut milk is much thicker and has a unique flavor, I wouldn’t recommend this swap here. I know that’s not the answer you were hoping for, but I want to make sure it turns out perfectly for you!
I would like to combine the andouille sausage with the shrimp. Should you use the same marinade on the sausage, or leave them plain?
Thanks!
I think they would be delicious either way, Scott! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Brought this to a friend’s bbq, it was a hit! I left the shells on for more flavor but loosened the shells before marinading so everything could soak in.
I’m so happy that it was a hit, Jen! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
It looks delicious and I plan on making it. I have a question… Can I add scallops to the shrimp skewer and is the pineapple,e fresh or canned? Also can I make skewers ahead and freeze.
Hi Brenda! I haven’t tried adding scallops myself, but I think it could work well. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes! I used fresh pineapple here. I haven’t tried making the skewers ahead and freezing them, so it would be an experiment.
Confused – is this recipe only preparing FOUR skewers total then?
Hi Caroline! The number of skewers you use will depend on how many shrimp and pineapple pieces you thread onto each one. I hope this helps!
Hard no on this recipe. I bought fresh shrimp at the coast, but this recipe rendered them mushy. Even with the Tabasco, not mush flavor.
Hi Karen, I’m sorry to hear the kabobs didn’t come out as expected. It’s so hard to know what might’ve gone wrong without being in the kitchen with you. I know it’s disappointing to try something new and not enjoy it, so I truly wish you would have loved them.
I’m thinking it might be the marinating for 1-2 hrs in lime and orange juice. The acid in that would cook the shrimp. I would probably put the shrimps in the marinade for 15-20 minutes, thicken the marinade and brush the rest on the shrimps as it grills.
Hi Tash, I’d have to disagree with that. We’ve tested this multiple times and have never had them come out mushy. Doing a quick Google search on “how does shrimp come out mushy” it looks like it’s the quality of the shrimp and not the marinade itself.
Made it with 5 lbs extra large and jumbo shrimp used red onion and chunks of pineapple instead of the rings because it kept up nicely in shape. To say the least, First time I made them for BBQ, I didn’t get a chance to try one shrimp but the second time, I made sure I had a kabob and they were a HIT. Gone in like in 8-10 minutes. Will make these one of my favorites. The pineapple, red onion and tasty marinade didn’t overpower but instead sweet and tangy deliciousness.Thanks
Hi Darlene! So happy that you enjoy this recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Was extremely good – served it with Thai Peanut Sauce.
Hi Kimberly! So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for this kind review!
This is by far one of the nastiest tastes I have ever experienced! I spent good money on buying the shrimp and the rest of the ingredients and the end result taste like the shrimp went bad! NEVER AGAIN!
Hi! It sounds like your shrimp might of been bad! The recipe shouldn’t make it taste like it went bad. I’m sorry to hear the recipe wasn’t to your taste. I know it’s disappointing to try a new recipe and not enjoy it, so I truly wish it would have been a hit for you.
This is worse shrimp recipe I have never made, I followed the recipe marinade 1.5 hours and cooked shrimps for 2 minutes that even less time than recipe said, the shrimps came out soooo tough and chewy, wasting a lots of nice shrimps, so disappointing :(
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with the recipe, PL. The amounts, flavorings and timing have worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would have been a hit for you too! I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it does not turn out for you.
What can I use to replace the orange juice
Hi Tina! I’ve only tested the recipe as written, but you might be able to use pineapple juice instead. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!