Grilled sweet and spicy shrimp kebabs are one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh seafood during grilling season. Marinated in a flavorful blend of sweet and spicy ingredients, these juicy shrimp skewers cook in just a few minutes and are perfect for backyard barbecues, summer dinners, or casual entertaining.
- 🍢 What is it? Grilled shrimp, mushrooms, red onion, and cherry tomatoes on skewers, brushed with a bold, spicy-sweet Kung Pao sauce for a quick Chinese-inspired kebab.
- ❤️ Why you'll love it? Ready in 22 minutes with a store-bought sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a summer cookout with friends - and the sauce doubles as a dip.
- 👩🍳 How do you make it? Thread shrimp and vegetables onto skewers, brush with Kung Pao sauce, and grill on high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until the shrimp are cooked through.
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Grilling Season Options
Half the fun of summer is finding new things to toss on the grill, and shrimp kabobs are always a winner. They're versatile, fun, and you can get creative with the ingredients. But when it comes to kabobs, the sauce is what really makes them shine. For these easy sweet and spicy shrimp kabobs, I'm using P.F. Chang's Kung Pao Sauce. I went with Kung Pao, but their Teriyaki and Sesame sauces would also be delicious choices.
This sauce is so easy to use, and so full of flavor. It's spicy, bold taste makes anything on the grill taste better.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Sweet and spicy flavor combination
- Perfect for grilling season
- Great for backyard cookouts
- Healthy, high-protein meal
- Easy enough for weeknights
- Beautiful presentation for entertaining
What Are Shrimp Kebabs?
Shrimp kebabs, also called shrimp skewers or shrimp kabobs, are shrimp threaded onto skewers and grilled until lightly charred and juicy. Because shrimp cook so quickly, they're one of the easiest proteins for outdoor grilling and pair well with a wide variety of marinades and vegetables.
Tips for Perfect Shrimp Kebabs
- Use large shrimp for grilling.
- Pat shrimp dry before marinating.
- Don't marinate too long if your marinade contains citrus.
- Leave a small space between shrimp on the skewers.
- Cook over medium-high heat.
- Remove immediately when shrimp turn opaque.
Favorite Grill Recipes
Need more grilling inspiration? Try my Mango Habanero Ribs. If you want to explore some other exotic flavors from your grill, Moroccan-style beef kebobs or Vietnamese bun cha will not disappoint.
What to Serve With Shrimp Kebabs
These grilled shrimp kebabs pair beautifully with fresh salads, grilled vegetables, and rice dishes. Serve them alongside Mediterranean parsley salad, cilantro lime crema, Indonesian coconut rice with cashews, or Turkish gavurdagi salad for a complete summer meal. Finish with a refreshing guava lime cocktail or a slice of orange and lemon pie for a light dessert.
Favorite Shrimp Dishes
Looking for more ways to enjoy shrimp? Try these crowd-pleasing recipes, from zesty grilled skewers to comforting pastas and spicy tapas. Each one is quick, delicious, and perfect for any occasion.
- Gambas al ajillo - A classic Spanish tapas dish with garlic and a pepper kick.
- Orecchiette with shrimp, fennel, and arugula is a favorite to make for dinner guests served family style. It is pasta, shrimp, and fresh greens all in one dish.
- Indonesian curry noodles with shrimp bring the sweet flavors of coconut milk and spicy curry together for a great sweet/savory combination.
- Shrimp ceviche is another great appetizer for a party.
- Shrimp and grits is a classic Southern comfort dish that combines tender, juicy shrimp with creamy, cheesy grits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Thaw completely and pat dry before marinating.
Large shrimp usually cook in 3-4 minutes per side.
Yes. Assemble the skewers ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to grill.
Yes. Soak them for at least 30 minutes before grilling to help prevent burning.
📖 Recipe
Grilled Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Kebabs
Ingredients
- ½ lb shrimp shelled and deveined
- 8 oz mushrooms
- 1 red onion sliced into 1 inch wedges
- 8 oz cherry tomatoes
- 4 oz P.F. Chang ® Kung Pao Sauce
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp and vegetables.
- Slide shrimp and vegetables onto skewers and brush with the Kung Pao sauce.
- Pre-heat grill for about 10 minutes to a temperature of 450-500 degrees.
- Grill on high heat for about 3-4 minutes and then turn over the kebabs and grill the other side for about 3-4 minutes until the shrimp are done. **(cook time will vary depending on the size of the shrimp)
Nutrition
Sarah B says
Oh my goodness, this looks delicious!! And I love that it's a meal I can put together quickly and easily on a school night! #client
Analida says
Thanks Sarah! Yes, this is super easy. My sister just made the recipe for some guests, and they loved it. I hope your family likes it too.
Linda @ 2 Cookin Mamas says
We grill 24/365 in our house since we live in Florida and I'm always looking for an easy grill recipe to change things up. Love the idea of using a prepared sauce to save time.Looks delicious!
Analida says
Thanks Linda! Hope you enjoy these.
Erin says
This looks like a great recipe! My 11 yr old loves shrimp, will have to make this for him soon.
Analida says
Thanks for commenting Erin. Let me know how your son likes them.
Panny says
Spices are the secret to an incredible meal. It will be great working my hands on the kebabs recipe you shared.
Analida says
I agree, kebabs are fun to make and grill. Enjoy!