Jerk Pineapple Shrimp Skewers

In the summer, it’s all about grilling. It keeps the house cooler, there are less dishes to wash, and you can’t beat the smoky flavor of grilled food.

Shrimp is one of my favorite things to grill because it cooks up so quickly. My chili lime grilled shrimp skewers have been a favorite for years for their tangy, warm spice flavor.

These Jerk Pineapple Shrimp Skewers have become a fast favorite with everyone in the house. They’re bursting with sweet and spicy flavor with juicy pineapple and my homemade jerk seasoning,

If you’re unfamiliar with “jerk,” it’s a style of cooking that originated in Jamaica and consists of meat that is dry-rubbed or marinated with a spicy seasoning.

In this recipe, the shrimp is marinated in citrus juice, olive oil, jerk seasoning a bit of brown sugar, then it’s skewered with pineapple and veggies and grilled to perfection.

This is a meal that you’ll want to make again and again!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• These grilled pineapple shrimp skewers are packed with flavor! The jerk seasoning provides the flavor of warm spices with a big of sweetness and just the right level of heat. The marinade brightens the flavors in the seasoning and pairs perfectly with the ingredients.
• The skewers cook in less than 10 minutes and are naturally gluten- and dairy-free, as well as low-carb.
• It’s a versatile dish that pairs well with coconut rice, quinoa, or may be served in lettuce wraps or tortillas with guacamole.

Recipe ingredients

• Shrimp. I used peeled and deveined wild caught frozen shrimp, which made the prep extremely easy. I simply followed the thawing instructions on the package and the shrimp was ready to marinate.
• Jerk seasoning. Jerk seasoning is a blend of warm spices with the heat of cayenne pepper and a bit of sweetness from brown sugar. The ingredients are allspice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, onion and garlic powders, brown sugar, ginger, nutmeg and thyme.  
• Citrus juice. The shrimp is marinated briefly in a mixture of orange juice and lime juice to tenderize and flavor it.
• Pineapple. Fresh pineapple is best for this recipe, but you can use canned if that’s all you have on hand. Fresh peaches and mango would also be a great replacement!
• Red onion. Becomes sweet and juicy once grilled. Replace with yellow onion if that’s all you have.
• Bell pepper. I used red bell pepper since it’s sweeter than green, and pairs nicely with the slightly smoky jerk seasoning.
• Cilantro. Not a fan of cilantro? Simply omit it and garnish with freshly chopped parsley instead.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

How to grill pineapple shrimp skewers

These shrimp skewers with pineapple are extremely easy to make, and they cook up in under 10 minutes!

Pro tip: Don’t let the shrimp marinate for more than 30 minutes or else they’ll become rubbery and tough once grilled.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

1. Thaw the shrimp. Thaw according to package instructions. This may be done by placing the shrimp in a colander set over a bowl overnight, or by rinsing the shrimp in cold running water for several minutes until thawed.
2. Marinate the shrimp. Stir together the olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, and some of the jerk seasoning. Add the shrimp and let marinate, covered, for about 30 minutes.
3. Skewer and grill the shrimp. While the grill preheats to medium-high, skewer the shrimp, pineapple, and vegetables, then season with the remaining jerk seasoning. You’ll know the shrimp are done when they have nice char marks and are fully opaque in color.
4. Garnish and serve. Serve the skewers with lime wedges and fresh cilantro.

Recipe FAQs

Serving suggestions

Enjoy these shrimp and pineapple skewers on or off the skewers with one of the following:

• Make jerk shrimp bowls using coconut rice, cilantro lime rice, or low-carb cilantro lime cauliflower rice as the base.
• Pair the skewers with Instant Pot black beans, grilled sweet corn, or this grilled vegetable salad for a summer feast.
• Serve the shrimp and pineapple in warm tortillas or lettuce wraps with homemade guacamole on top.

Recipe notes

• Pro tip: Use peeled and deveined shrimp for a huge time saver. If using frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw it before marinating it.
• If grilling the pineapple and shrimp on wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes while the shrimp marinates.
• Do not marinate the shrimp longer than 30 minutes or the acid from the citrus will begin to cook the shrimp.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 3 days.

More easy shrimp recipes you’ll love

• Blackened shrimp
• Shrimp ceviche
• Shrimp fried rice
• Air fryer shrimp
• Grilled shrimp louie salad