Home » Blog » Hawaiian Style Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

Hawaiian Style Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Sharing is caring!

Juicy, tender grilled shrimp kabobs are a delicious meal that is customizable to everyone’s liking. Just a few simple ingredients and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy dinner.

grilled shrimp kabob

Mahalo to Foodland Hawai’i for sponsoring this post. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.

Warmer nights just call for outdoor BBQs. Firing up the grill and cooking your favorite dishes like coffee rub grilled pork chops or these grilled shrimp kabobs. Just doesn’t get any better than that.

Quick and easy dinners are my jam. Like this Hawaiian style grilled shrimp kabob recipe. All you need is a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes and you’ve got yourself a customizable dinner.

Whether you call them kabobs, kebabs, skewers or any other name, this grilled shrimp kabob recipe is one you don’t want to miss.

maikai papaya seed dressing

What is a kabob?

Kebabs originated in the Middle East and are commonly made with cut up meat, placed on a skewer, and cooked over fire. 

The best thing about kabobs is the ability to cook things that might fall through the grates of the grill, hence shrimp. Placing the shrimp on the skewer makes it really easy to cook and you don’t have to worry about losing some along the way.

Grilled shrimp kabobs with vegetables are a fun way for children to design their own meal. Add the things you want. Leave out the ones you don’t. Please even the pickiest of eaters.

Ingredients for grilled shrimp kabobs

  • Jumbo shrimp. Any size will do here. You’ll want to be sure to have them peeled and deveined.
  • Maika’i Papaya Seed Dressing. The secret sauce to all the yummy goodness.
  • Bell pepper. Use any color you like. Feel free to use a spicier pepper if you’d like as well.
  • Pineapple chunks. These serve as a great slight sweet addition to a savory dish. Fresh or canned works well.
  • Red onion. Sweet Maui onions would also work well here.
  • Skewers. Wooden or metal will do.
grilled shrimp kabob ingredients

Other great add on options include

  • Sausage
  • Mushrooms
  • Zucchini

What is papaya seed dressing?

Papaya seed dressing is a tangy dressing made from the seeds of the papaya, hence the name. Papaya seeds are edible and have a strong peppery flavor. This dressing is delicious on salads, but one of my favorite things to use it for is a marinade for grilled shrimp.

How long do shrimp need to marinate?

I would suggest marinating for at least 30 minutes, but you can leave them up to overnight. If you are using a different marinade that is acidic, be sure not to leave overnight. The acidity can cook the shrimp and change the texture and flavor.

Why do I need to soak the skewers?

If using wooden skewers, I would recommend soaking in water for at least 30 minutes. This will help prevent the skewers from catching fire while cooking. If using metal skewers you can skip this step.

What temperature should you grill shrimp skewers?

Shrimp are small and cook quickly. Setting your grill to medium high heat while cooking works well.

hand holding grilled shrimp kabobs

How long should you grill shrimp kabobs?

The great thing about shrimp is they have their very own internal thermometer. When shrimp are done cooking they turn an opaque pink orange color. This only takes 2-3 minutes over a medium high grill.

What temperature should grilled shrimp be cooked to?

The FDA does not actually give a temperature to cook shrimp to. They suggest cooking until the shrimp is pearl or white and opaque. This generally is achieved at 120F.

Shrimp are easily over cooked. A tell tale sign is when the shrimp begin to constrict. Over cooked shrimp develop a rubbery and tough texture.

What to serve with shrimp kabobs?

  • As I always say, here in Hawai’i you can’t go wrong with some sticky, white rice.
  • Pair with a green salad
  • Or just serve it alone
grilled shrimp kabob on a cutting board

How to store?

Shrimp are best eaten right after cooking, however if you have leftovers place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

How long does cooked shrimp last?

Stored in the refrigerator, cooked shrimp will last 3 days.

How to reheat?

The tricky thing with reheating shrimp is avoiding over cooking. While you can certainly use a microwave, be sure to heat in small increments of say about 30 seconds to avoid over overcooking. You can also place the shrimp back on the grill or on the stove top or in the oven.

Other great shrimp recipes to try

How to make grilled shrimp kabobs?

  1. Place wooden skewers in a shallow pan with water and allow to soak. This will prevent the skewers from catching on fire while grilling.
  2. Add shrimp and Maika’i Papaya Seed Dressing to a large bowl. Toss to combine, cover the bowl, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight.
  3. Preheat half the grill. Allow half the grill to remain unlit or free from charcoal/wood. This will be the warm zone. 
  4. Remove shrimp from marinade and place on the skewer along with the vegetables.
  5. Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side or until no opaque.
  6. Remove and serve immediately. ENJOY!
grilled shrimp kabob

Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

Relle Lum
Juicy, tender grilled shrimp kabobs are a delicious
meal that is customizable to everyone’s liking. Just a few simple
ingredients and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy dinner.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Course Seafood
Cuisine Local
Servings 8 servings
Calories 187 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup Maika’i Papaya Seed Dressing
  • 1 bell pepper cut into large chunks
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1 small red onion cut into large chunks

Instructions
 

  • Place wooden skewers in a shallow pan with water and allow to soak. This will prevent the skewers from catching on fire while grilling.
  • Add shrimp and Maika’i Papaya Seed Dressing to a large bowl. Toss to combine, cover the bowl, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight.
  • Preheat half the grill. Allow half the grill to remain unlit or free from charcoal/wood. This will be the warm zone. 
  • Remove shrimp from marinade and place on the skewer along with the vegetables.
  • Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side or until no opaque.
  • Remove and serve immediately. ENJOY!

Notes

*You can use metal skewers for this recipe as well.
*Use the veggies/fruits of your choice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 26gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 240mgSodium: 1110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7g
Keyword grilled recipes, grilled shrimp kabobs, grilled shrimp skewers, grilling recipes, keeping it relle, shrimp kabobs, shrimp skewers
Did you make this recipe?Share a photo and tag @keeping.it.relle on Instagram so I can see all your delicious creations and Let me know how it was!

© Relle Lum for Keeping It Relle. Please do not copy and paste or screenshot recipes online or on social media. I’d love it if you share a link with a photo instead. Mahalo!

Tried this recipe? Tag me on social. I’d love to see and share it.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeping.it.relle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepingitrelle
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/keepingitrelle
Tried and love this recipe? Please give it a rating.
Pin for later

grilled shrimp kabob pin

By on July 9th, 2021

About Relle

Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

More posts by this author.

5 thoughts on “Hawaiian Style Grilled Shrimp Kabobs”

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating