These Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers are the perfect combination of tropical sweetness and a spicy kick, making them a quick and easy summer appetizer or entrée. Ideal for grilling season, this four-ingredient recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and is great for BBQs or weeknight dinners. You can prepare them on a grill, grill press, or grill pan.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb large uncooked shrimp (Argentinian preferred)

• 1 lb pineapple chunks

• 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce

• 2 tsp sambal (or substitute with sriracha, gochujang, or red chili flakes)

Directions

1. Prep the Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.

2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the sweet chili sauce and sambal.

3. Assemble: Thread shrimp and pineapple chunks alternately onto skewers. You should get about 9–10 skewers.

4. Sauce: Use a pastry brush to coat each skewer with the sweet and spicy sauce on both sides.

5. Grill: Preheat your grill (or grill pan/press) to medium-high heat.

   • On Grill or Pan: Cook skewers for 3 minutes, brush again with sauce, flip, and cook for another 2–3 minutes until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

   • On Grill Press: Cook for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway if needed.

6. Serve: Transfer to a dish, garnish with parsley and lime wedges (optional), and serve warm.

Nutrients (Estimated per skewer)

• Calories: ~90–100 kcal

• Protein: ~10g

• Carbohydrates: ~10g

• Fat: ~2g

• Sugar: ~8g

• Fiber: ~1g

• Sodium: ~250mg

Why This Recipe Works

At the heart of this recipe lies its simplicity and clever pairing of ingredients. Juicy pineapple chunks bring a caramelized sweetness when grilled, enhancing their tropical essence. The shrimp, especially Argentinian shrimp with their naturally tender and buttery texture, offer a savory, protein-rich base that soaks up the flavor-packed glaze. The sauce—a combination of sweet chili sauce and sambal (or its spicy substitutes like sriracha or gochujang)—adds complexity and depth, bringing a tangy, sweet, and spicy flavor profile that wakes up the palate. This balance is key to why these skewers work so well; every bite is juicy, bold, and satisfying.

Another reason this recipe is such a success is its adaptability. The skewers can be grilled on an outdoor BBQ, pressed on an indoor grill, or cooked in a stovetop grill pan, making them accessible regardless of your cooking setup. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a casual home cook, these skewers are easy to handle and quick to finish, taking less than 20 minutes from prep to plate.

Perfect for Entertaining

These shrimp skewers are a dream come true for hosts who want to deliver wow-worthy food without the hassle. Their colorful presentation, with pink shrimp and golden pineapple charred to perfection, is naturally eye-catching. Guests are often drawn to dishes they can eat with their hands, and skewers offer that convenient, mess-free experience. Plus, they can be made ahead of time and grilled just before serving, helping you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests’ company.

The recipe also scales beautifully. Making a small batch for a weekday meal? Easy. Feeding a crowd for a party or potluck? Just double or triple the ingredients, and you’ll have trays of flavorful skewers ready to go. It’s also simple to keep the marinade on the side for extra brushing or dipping, adding more flavor at the table.

Flavor Profile and Texture

The flavor of these skewers hits all the right notes: sweet, spicy, tangy, and smoky. The sweet chili sauce offers a garlicky, gingery base with syrupy sweetness, while sambal brings the heat and fermented depth. This sauce caramelizes lightly on the grill, creating a sticky, slightly crispy exterior that coats the shrimp and pineapple in flavor.

Texture-wise, you get the perfect contrast. The shrimp become plump and firm, their slight chewiness complemented by the tender, juicy bite of the grilled pineapple. A light char from the grill brings a smoky undertone that ties everything together. It’s a dynamic bite every time—succulent, fiery, and a little tropical all at once.

Health Benefits

Despite being rich in flavor, these skewers are relatively light and healthy. Shrimp are a great source of lean protein and low in calories and fat. They also provide essential nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and iodine. Pineapple, meanwhile, adds vitamin C, manganese, and digestion-boosting enzymes like bromelain.

Because the dish is grilled, it avoids heavy oils or frying methods, keeping the overall calorie content low. This makes the skewers an excellent option for anyone seeking a flavorful yet healthy meal that doesn’t feel like a compromise. The use of chili sauce and sambal adds flavor intensity without requiring a heavy hand with salt or fat.

Serving Suggestions

These Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers pair beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve them over jasmine rice or coconut rice to soak up the extra glaze, or alongside grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus. For a low-carb option, try a chilled cucumber salad, cauliflower rice, or lettuce cups with avocado slices.

For a tropical-themed menu, you might add coconut water or a fruit-forward mocktail on the side, and follow up the meal with a light dessert like mango sorbet or grilled pineapple rings with a dash of cinnamon. These skewers also work well as part of a larger BBQ spread with burgers, grilled corn, and fruit skewers.

Customizations and Variations

One of the great things about this recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Want more heat? Add extra sambal or top with crushed red pepper flakes after grilling. Prefer it milder? Use a sweeter chili sauce and reduce the spicy component.

You can also switch up the protein—try using scallops, cubed salmon, or even tofu for a pescatarian or vegetarian twist. Bell pepper chunks or red onion can be added between the shrimp and pineapple to introduce more texture and flavor.

For a more citrus-forward version, squeeze lime or orange juice into the sauce mixture. This brightens the overall flavor and adds a tangy contrast to the sweet and spicy glaze. Garnishing with fresh cilantro or mint leaves adds a refreshing herbal finish that balances the bold flavors.

Why It’s a Summer Favorite

Summer meals should be light, fresh, and easy—and this recipe ticks all the boxes. It uses minimal ingredients, requires almost no cleanup, and delivers maximum flavor. The natural sweetness of pineapple feels like a nod to vacation vibes, while the shrimp cooks so quickly that you’re never stuck sweating over the grill. It’s versatile enough to be a main course or a finger food appetizer and can be enjoyed hot off the grill or chilled in leftovers the next day.

What really makes this a summer staple is its universal appeal. Kids enjoy the sweetness, adults appreciate the spice, and everyone loves the visual and flavorful pop of this grilled dish. It’s both fun and gourmet—a rare and delightful combo.

Conclusion

These Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Skewers are the epitome of what summer grilling should be: fast, flavorful, and fun. With just four ingredients, you can create a dish that looks vibrant, tastes complex, and satisfies every craving from sweet to savory to spicy. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a family dinner, a backyard party, or a beachside cookout, these skewers are guaranteed to shine. Their blend of heat and sweetness, combined with juicy shrimp and caramelized pineapple, makes them a winning choice for any occasion. Once you try them, this easy recipe is bound to become a go-to favorite every grilling season.