Mango Shrimp Skewers Recipe
🥭🍤 Mango Shrimp Skewers combine juicy grilled shrimp, sweet mango chunks, aromatic jerk seasoning and a delicious smoky glaze for a vibrant, tropical-inspired dish. Quick to prepare and bursting with sweet, spicy and savoury flavours, these colourful skewers are perfect for barbecues, appetisers, parties or an easy summer dinner.
Equipment
- 1 10–12 Wooden Or Metal Skewers
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife
- 1 Chopping Board
- 1 Pastry Brush:
- 1 Outdoor Grill or Grill Pan -
- 1 Tongs Serving Platter
Ingredients
- 2¼ pounds jumbo shrimp - peeled and deveined
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 6 tablespoons mild jerk sauce
- 1½ large ripe mangoes
- 4–5 scallions
- 6 tablespoons mango chutney
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons vinegar-based BBQ sauce
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh coriander - coarsely chopped
- Extra salt - as needed
- Water - for soaking wooden skewers
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare The Shrimp
- Pat the shrimp thoroughly dry with kitchen paper.
- Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Add approximately 1 teaspoon of salt and the jerk sauce.
- Toss gently until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavour.
Step 2: Prepare The Sweet And Smoky Glaze
- Add the mango chutney, soy sauce and vinegar-based BBQ sauce to a small mixing bowl.
- Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Taste and adjust only if necessary, as the sauces already contain seasoning.
- Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare The Mango And Scallions
- Peel the mangoes and remove the stones.
- Cut the mango flesh into approximately 1-inch chunks.
- Lightly season the mango with the remaining salt.
- Cut the scallions into approximately 1-inch pieces.
- Keep the mango pieces firm enough to thread onto the skewers.
Step 4: Assemble The Skewers
- Soak wooden skewers in water before assembling.
- Thread a shrimp onto each skewer, followed by mango and scallion.
- Continue alternating the ingredients until the skewers are filled.
- Finish each skewer with a shrimp to help secure the ingredients.
- Lightly coat the assembled skewers with neutral oil.
Step 5: Preheat The Grill
- Heat an outdoor grill to medium heat for approximately 5 minutes.
- Alternatively, heat a grill pan over medium heat.
- Clean and lightly oil the cooking surface.
- Make sure the grill is properly hot before adding the skewers.
Step 6: Grill The Skewers
- Place the skewers on the hot grill.
- Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes on the first side.
- Brush with the mango-chutney BBQ glaze.
- Turn the skewers using tongs.
- Cook for another 2–3 minutes while brushing with more glaze.
- Continue until the shrimp are pink, opaque and cooked through.
- Avoid overcooking, as shrimp can quickly become tough and rubbery.
Step 7: Finish And Serve
- Transfer the Mango Shrimp Skewers to a clean serving platter.
- Brush with the remaining glaze while hot.
- Scatter freshly chopped coriander over the top.
- Serve immediately while the shrimp are juicy and the mango is warm and lightly caramelised.
Notes
- 🍤 Use Jumbo Shrimp: Choose large, fresh shrimp so they remain juicy and succulent while grilling without becoming dry or overcooked.
- 🥭 Choose Firm-Ripe Mangoes: Select sweet mangoes that are ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape on the skewers and develop delicious caramelised edges.
- 🌶️ Balance The Spice: Adjust the jerk sauce according to your preferred heat level. Mild jerk sauce works well for a family-friendly version, while hotter sauce creates a bolder kick.
- 🔥 Preheat The Grill: Make sure the grill is properly hot before cooking to achieve attractive char marks and beautifully caramelised mango without overcooking the shrimp.
- 🍢 Avoid Overcrowding: Leave a little space between the shrimp, mango, and scallions so the heat can circulate and each ingredient cooks evenly.
- 🥭 Glaze Near the End: Brush the mango chutney, soy sauce, and BBQ glaze over the skewers towards the end of grilling to create a glossy, sticky finish without burning the sauce.
- ⏱️ Watch The Cooking Time: Grill the shrimp for about 2–3 minutes per side, or until opaque and cooked through. Overcooking can make shrimp tough and rubbery.
- 🌿 Finish With Fresh Coriander: Scatter chopped fresh coriander over the cooked skewers just before serving for a bright, herbaceous finish.
- 🍋 Serve With Citrus: Add fresh lime or lemon wedges when serving to provide a refreshing acidity that balances the sweet mango and smoky, spicy glaze.
- ❄️ Store Leftovers Safely: Refrigerate cooked shrimp in an airtight container and enjoy within 3 days. Reheat gently to help preserve their tender texture.
