Name: Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients: 2 lbs raw large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon allspice; 1/2 of a fresh medium-sized pineapple, cored and sliced; 2 red bell peppers, chopped; 2 small red onions, sliced into half moons; Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste; A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped; Lime wedges, to serve; Cooked brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, to serve

If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with bold flavors and tropical vibes, this Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how the spicy, smoky jerk seasoning pairs perfectly with the sweetness of fresh pineapple, and serving it all up in pineapple bowls? It feels like a mini vacation on a plate. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it again and again!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold Flavor Explosion: The jerk seasoning packs a delicious punch balanced by sweet pineapple that keeps every bite interesting.
Easy Weeknight Magic: Quick to prepare, it’s ready in under 30 minutes—perfect when you want something impressive without hours in the kitchen.
Fun and Fresh Presentation: Serving in pineapple halves adds a creative touch that always impresses guests or makes family dinner feel special.
Customizable and Healthy: You can swap out the base rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice to suit your dietary preferences with zero fuss.

The dish is in a white bowl on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is light brown cooked rice with a soft texture. On top, there is a mix of cooked shrimp colored orange-pink, grilled red bell pepper strips, browned purple onion wedges, and yellow grilled pineapple chunks. The shrimp and vegetables look slightly shiny and are sprinkled with chopped green herbs. Three fresh lime wedges with bright green skin and pale green inside are placed on the right side of the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe calls for fresh, vibrant ingredients that not only taste great but also look stunning on the plate. When shopping, I like to grab the freshest shrimp I can find, and picking a ripe pineapple really makes all the difference.

Shrimp: Fresh or thawed large shrimp work best here for that perfect tender bite.
Avocado or olive oil: A good-quality oil helps the seasoning stick and adds a nice richness.
Smoked paprika: This gives your jerk seasoning a deep smoky flavor that’s key to authentic taste.
Garlic powder: Adds that comforting savory note without overpowering.
Cayenne pepper: Just enough heat to wake up your taste buds.
Ground cinnamon and allspice: These warm spices are what bring the jerk sauce to life alongside those smoky flavors.
Pineapple: Fresh pineapple, cored and sliced—you want it juicy and sweet for balance.
Red bell peppers: Their crunch and sweetness complement the shrimp beautifully.
Red onions: Sliced thin for a little bite and color contrast.
Sea salt and ground pepper: Simple seasoning that enhances all the flavors.
Fresh cilantro: Chopped on top for a fresh, herbal kick.
Optional lime wedges: A squeeze of lime adds that perfect citrus zing just before eating.
Optional grains: Brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice make it a complete and satisfying meal.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe is—over time, I’ve tweaked it based on what I had on hand or what my family craved that week. Feel free to make it your own!

Mild Version: If you’re not a big fan of heat, cut the cayenne in half or leave it out, and you’ll still get tons of flavor from the spices.
Vegan Twist: Swap shrimp for chunks of grilled tofu or seasoned jackfruit—it’s a great way to keep the jerk vibe going meatless.
Grain Bowl Swap: I sometimes use coconut rice or even a bed of mixed greens to lighten things up further.
Extra Veggies: Adding zucchini or cherry tomatoes is a fun way to up the nutrition and color.

How to Make Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Season Your Shrimp

First off, preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper—that’s going to make clean-up a breeze. Then, toss your peeled and deveined shrimp into a big bowl. Drizzle the oil over them, and sprinkle on the smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, cinnamon, and allspice. I like to use my hands to gently mix everything so each shrimp is well-coated with that flavorful jerk seasoning. This is where the magic starts!

Step 2: Add Pineapple and Veggies

Next, add in your chopped pineapple chunks, diced red bell peppers, and sliced red onions to the bowl. Season everything with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Give everything a great stir—you want all those flavors mingling before they hit the oven.

Step 3: Roast to Perfection

Spread the shrimp and veggie mixture out evenly on your prepared sheet pan. Pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Keep an eye on it—shrimp cook fast and you want them juicy, not rubbery.

Step 4: Assemble Your Pineapple Bowls

While the shrimp cook, prepare your base: brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice all work beautifully. Once your shrimp mixture is done, spoon it over your chosen grain inside each pineapple half. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top brings it all together.

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Pro Tips for Making Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe

Use Fresh Pineapple: Fresh pineapple has so much more flavor and juiciness than canned, which really lifts the dish.
Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cook really quickly—watch for pink and opaque shrimp to avoid rubberiness.
Make it Ahead: The seasoning actually deepens if you marinate the shrimp for 15-30 minutes first.
Customize Your Heat: Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the spice—and if serving kids, keep it mild.

How to Serve Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe

A clear round bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled with three layers. The bottom layer is light brown rice, soft and fluffy. On top of the rice is a mix of bright yellow pineapple chunks, red bell pepper strips, and purple onion pieces, all cooked until tender. The top layer has light golden shrimp, seasoned and cooked, scattered with green chopped cilantro. A wedge of green lime leans on the side inside the bowl. Nearby, a silver fork rests on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always top these bowls with freshly chopped cilantro and a few lime wedges on the side. The cilantro adds a bright freshness that cuts through the richness, and squeezing lime juice right before eating wakes up all those bold flavors. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes for a fun tropical crunch—totally optional but delicious.

Side Dishes

Since this dish is fairly complete on its own, I usually pair it with a simple green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette or some steamed veggies like snap peas or asparagus. If you want to amp it up, a side of black beans or a mango salsa makes a great companion.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving this in hollowed-out pineapple halves is my favorite party trick—it’s surprisingly simple but looks stunning every time. For a casual twist, scoop the shrimp mixture into lettuce leaves for easy handheld bites. I’ve even used mini bell peppers as little edible cups for appetizer-sized servings. So fun and colorful!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover shrimp and veggies in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually stay fresh for up to 2 days. I keep the rice or grain base separate to avoid it getting soggy. When ready to eat, I just reheat both individually.

Freezing

I’ve found freezing cooked shrimp isn’t ideal for texture, so I don’t recommend freezing the fully cooked dish. However, you can freeze the seasoned shrimp raw (before roasting) for up to a month; just thaw completely before cooking to keep that lovely texture.

Reheating

Reheat the shrimp and veggies gently in a skillet over medium heat—this helps to avoid overcooking. Warm the rice separately, either in the microwave or on the stove. When combined and fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime added, leftovers taste almost as good as fresh!

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you check your spices and use gluten-free grains like quinoa or rice. Just be sure any packaged seasoning or sauces you add don’t contain gluten.
Can I grill the shrimp instead of baking?

Definitely! Grilling adds a nice smoky char that’s delicious with the jerk seasoning—just skewer the shrimp and cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
What can I use instead of shrimp?

You can substitute chicken breast or tofu cubes seasoned the same way. Just adjust cooking times accordingly—chicken longer, tofu shorter.
How spicy is this Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe?

It has a moderate heat from cayenne pepper, balanced beautifully by sweet pineapple and spices. You can easily reduce or increase heat by adjusting cayenne amount for your preference.
Can I prepare the pineapple bowls ahead of time?

If you want to prep ahead, you can cut and hollow out the pineapples a few hours in advance and store them covered in the fridge—but fill them just before serving to keep them fresh and juicy.

Final Thoughts

This Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Bowls Recipe has become a go-to favorite in my kitchen when I want something that’s both exciting and easy. The combination of spicy, sweet, and smoky flavors snuggled up in a colorful pineapple bowl just makes dinner feel festive and fresh. I hope you’ll enjoy making this as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that’s impressively flavorful but totally approachable, and I’m sure it’ll find a special spot in your recipe rotation too. Give it a try next time you want to wow your family or friends with minimal stress and maximum yum!