Grilled Coconut Pineapple Shrimp Skewers

Grilled Coconut Pineapple Shrimp Skewers: Easy Tropical Flavor for Your BBQ

Bring a taste of the tropics to your next backyard party or BBQ with these vibrant Grilled Coconut Pineapple Shrimp Skewers. This easy-to-follow recipe combines sweet pineapple, succulent shrimp, and a unique marinade featuring coconut, pineapple, and a touch of spicy harissa. They're simple to make, cook quickly on the grill, and are guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends. Get ready for a flavor explosion that screams summer!

Yields: Approx. 8 servings (16 skewers total) Prep time: 15 minutes + 30-60 minutes marinating Cook time: 6-10 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Skewers:
  • 1 ¼ - 1 ½ lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail on or off, your preference)
  • 1 fresh pineapple – peeled, cored, and cut into 1½" chunks
  • Olive oil, for brushing pineapple
  • 2 cups cooked rice, for serving
  • Toasted coconut flakes, for garnish (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)
• For the Marinade:
  • 1 bottle (approx. 17 oz) Coconut Pineapple flavored sparkling water (like Sparkling Ice) or equivalent amount of pineapple/coconut juice blend
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons harissa paste (or substitute Sriracha or other chili paste for heat)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano (optional, adds depth)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin (optional, adds warmth)
  • 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped garlic (optional)
• Special Equipment:
  • Approx. 16 Wooden skewers (or metal skewers)

Instructions:

1. Soak Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
2. Prepare Marinade: In a large shallow baking dish or bowl, whisk together the coconut pineapple sparkling water (or juice), olive oil, harissa paste, and salt (and optional oregano, cumin, pepper, garlic if using).
3. Reserve Marinade: Set aside approximately 1/3 cup of the marinade in a separate small bowl. This will be used for basting safely later or as a dipping sauce.
4. Marinate Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the main marinade mixture, tossing gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Do not marinate shrimp for much longer, as the acidity can affect the texture.
5. Prepare Skewers: Thread the marinated shrimp onto 8 skewers. Thread the pineapple chunks onto the remaining 8 skewers. Lightly brush the pineapple skewers with olive oil.
6. Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Clean and lightly oil the grill grates.
7. Grill Pineapple: Place the pineapple skewers on the grill. Cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until slightly softened and nicely caramelized with grill marks. Remove from grill.
8. Grill Shrimp: Place the shrimp skewers on the grill. Grill for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook shrimp, as they cook very quickly.
9. Baste Shrimp (Optional but Recommended Safely): During the last minute of grilling, brush the shrimp skewers lightly with the reserved marinade. Alternatively, and for guaranteed food safety, boil the reserved marinade for a minute before brushing, OR simply serve the reserved (unboiled) marinade as a dipping sauce alongside the cooked skewers.
10. Serve: Arrange the grilled shrimp and pineapple skewers on a platter. Serve immediately over cooked rice.
11. Garnish: Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

Tips for Success:

• Don't Over-Marinate Shrimp: Shrimp texture can become mushy if marinated for too long in acidic ingredients. Stick to 30-60 minutes.
• Uniform Chunks: Cut pineapple into similar-sized chunks for even grilling.
• Separate Skewers: Cooking shrimp and pineapple on separate skewers allows you to control the cooking time for each, preventing overcooked shrimp or undercooked pineapple.
• Watch Closely: Shrimp cook very quickly! Keep a close eye on them to avoid making them tough.
• Heat Control: Maintain a consistent medium-high heat on your grill for best results.

These Grilled Coconut Pineapple Shrimp Skewers bring a delightful taste of the tropics right to your backyard. The combination of sweet, caramelized pineapple, succulent shrimp, and the subtly spicy, coconut-infused marinade creates a flavor profile that's both exciting and easy to love. Perfect for summer BBQs, parties, or a quick weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. Enjoy!

Share This Article on Social Media