PENNSYLVANIA - This Coconut Pineapple Shrimp Skewers are sweet, lightly spicy, and a citrus rich recipe perfect for your next back yard party or BBQ event. Simple and easy to make this easy to follow recipe will be a hit at your next barbecue party.
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:
- Soak Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Clean and lightly oil the grill grates.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve: Arrange the grilled shrimp and pineapple skewers on a platter. Serve immediately over cooked rice.
- 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!