Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fry is a skillet full of sautéed shrimp tossed in a spicy barbecue sauce with sweet chunks of pineapple and red peppers.
This quick and easy meal earns two thumbs up from my whole family every time I make it.
My favorite part of this meal? This whole recipe comes together in less than 15 minutes. Start some rice cooking before you start the shrimp and you’ll have dinner on the table in no time at all.
Like so many of our meals, the first time I made this recipe, it was inspired by the ingredients we had on hand, plus a craving or two.
Pineapple Shrimp
Pineapple and shrimp are a huge favorite around here. My middle son had been asking for shrimp, there was a sale on pineapple, and I had a jar of Sweet and Spicy Homemade Barbecue Sauce just waiting to be used. The combination of flavors was even better than I had hoped and it quickly became a family favorite.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made this Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry. Every time shrimp is on sale, I start craving this recipe. It’s a 15-minute dinner that is a guaranteed win every time.
Bacon Bleu Cheese and Shrimp Chopped Salad, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Chili Lime Shrimp Bites, Spicy Orange Garlic Shrimp or Chili Garlic Shrimp (a cookbook favorite), and last but not least classic Shrimp Cocktail are all recipes we make over and over.
We LOVE shrimp and yet, I keep repeating these recipes. But first? You really do need to try this shrimp stir fry with pineapple and bell peppers.
What kind of shrimp will you need?
You can make this shrimp stir fry with or without removing the tails from the shrimp. I’ve made it both ways.
When cooking the shrimp with the tails-on, it makes for a prettier presentation. However, my go-to method is to cook the shrimp with the tails removed.
The final dish will be more kid-friendly that way and I like that it’s easier to eat for a quick dinner. Grab a frozen bag of deveined shrimp with the tails removed, or swing by the seafood counter, and this really is a lightning-fast meal.
Shrimp Stir Fry with Pineapple
Buttery sauteed shrimp, tangy sweet barbecue sauce, crisp hot peppers, and sweet pineapple combine in a truly irresistible meal. The fact you can make it in just minutes? That just makes it better.
You’ll start by rinsing the shrimp and patting it dry with a paper towel. Melt some butter in a large skillet and quickly cook the shrimp.
It should only take a minute or two. Take care not to overcook the shrimp. When the shrimp is light pink and cooked through, remove it to a plate.
Stir Fry with Shrimp
Toss the peppers into the hot skillet with a bit of oil and cook until lightly browned and barely softened. Add the pineapple, toss with the peppers, and let it soften slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the barbecue sauce, stir to coat everything, and increase the heat to high. When it starts to simmer, return the shrimp to the pan, toss everything together to coat well, and cook for about a minute as the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove from the heat and add the green onions. Serve by itself or over rice.
Even if you aren’t partial to a spicy barbecue sauce most of the time, you’ll want a spicy sauce to balance the sweet pineapple in this dish. You can make your own sauce in just a few minutes or use your favorite spicy store-bought sauce.
I promise that the end result will not be too spicy. I’ve also used our spiciest barbecue sauce and there was barely a hint of heat to the dish when it was ready to eat.
Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fry
This shrimp stir fry with pineapple is a serious favorite. For another, even heartier shrimp stir fry that is a keeper, you’ll want to try this kielbasa and shrimp fried rice too.
Zesty and smoky flavors come together in this craveworthy Chili Lime Shrimp recipe.
Garlic Butter Shrimp with plenty of bright lemon is something I can never get enough of.
Crisp hot vegetables, tender shrimp and just a hint of Sriracha makes this Shrimp and Vegetable Fried Rice another great option. I use my favorite skillet and this spatula when making stir-fries. The right tools really do make it easier.
For a few more great stir-fry recipes, check out this Thai Steak Stir Fry, and next time you have an abundance of summer squash in the house, this flavorful Southwest Chicken Skillet from The Weekday Lunches and Breakfasts Cookbook is a winner.
Korean Beef Bulgogi is another family favorite. When we were first married, we had a favorite Korean restaurant near the house. Sean usually ordered Bulgogi while I ordered Jap Chae.
Sriracha Honey Cashew Chicken and Chinese Beef and Broccoli are a couple more stir-fries that get two thumbs up every time we make them.
Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 large red bell pepper chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups fresh pineapple sliced and cut bite-size or (1) 14 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
- ½ cup spicy barbecue sauce or your favorite spicy store-bought sauce
- 3 green onions sliced thin
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp and pat dry with a paper towel. In a large skillet, over high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the shrimp and spread across the pan in a single layer. Let it cook without touching it for about 1 minute. Flip the shrimp over and cook an additional minute. When the shrimp is light pink and cooked through, remove to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium high and add a drizzle of oil to the hot pan. Toss the peppers in the oil and let them cook until they are slightly browned and barely softened, about 2 minutes. Add the pineapple, toss with the peppers, and let it soften slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the barbecue sauce, stir, and increase the heat to high. When it starts to simmer, return the shrimp to the pan, toss everything together to coat well, and cook for about a minute as the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and add the green onions. Serve by itself or over rice.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally posted 3/24/15 – recipe notes and photos updated 7/31/20}
Allie Taylor says
Wow — this is a beautiful dish! Love the red peppers, pineapple and shrimp together! Thanks for the bbq sauce tips. Love how quick this is… we will try this very soon!
Sue/the view from great island says
The combination of spicy barbecue and pineapple sounds incredible, love the colors in your photos!
http://cookazido.wordpress.com says
I saw this on Instagram and am so glad you posted the recipe. The colors are so beautiful, but then add the taste of bar-b-q sauce and that sends it over the top I have also been wanting a good homemade bar-b-q sauce recipe. I hope to try yours out soon. It is just what I was looking for. Thank you so much!
Elizabeth says
Made this last night and served it over Basamati rice. It was so delicious! I'm writing it down in my little collection of recipes so I can remember to make it again!
Charlotte says
Great recipe write up, thanks Mary! The combination of spicy barbecue and pineapple sounds incredible, love the colors in your photos!
MZ says
this is really good I did add a bag of frozen stir fried veggies(thawed first) I ate it over thin spaghetti noodles with a small amount of soy sauce and this was much better the next day the flavors married and you could really taste the sauce the noodles soaked it up…I would make it again…Thanks For the great recipe
Brenda DeMoss says
I plan on making this dish tonight. It is so pretty and we love shrimp and pineapple, the bar-b-que sauce should be awesome.
Pam says
I will definitely be trying this!
roger browne says
When do you add the onions?
Karen says
Love this recipe! So good over brown rice! Great quick dinner.
Devin McSweeney says
I made this last night and adored it. I also cooked a cup of brown rice and split it up for meal prep for the second half of my week! Instead of using BBQ I used straight up sriracha sauce which was amazing because I like my food extra spicy. And I added some cilantro which was absolutely delicious. Will be making this again!
Skratazoid says
Made this tonight and my husband loved it! I was a little hesitant, but used a BBQ sauce that was “Texas-style Bold & Spicy” and it turned out great. Also, I cooked the bell pepper a little longer than you instructed, but I wanted to make sure it was tender enough. I thought it was good and something different, but my husband went bonkers for it, so thanks! 🙂
Alexa says
FYI
CcThe green onions got left out of the directions.
Patricia Hellman says
Check at the very end of recipe. They are added as a garnish.
Syl says
What other vegetables can you add?
Mary says
This is a pretty adaptable stir-fry. I’m betting broccoli would be great with it.
Jmendell3d says
I made this for dinner tonight, but I also made pineapple flavored rice and put it all on burritos for my girlfriend and me. We both loved it! IT WAS SO GOOD!
Mary says
mmmm, that sounds tasty!
Beth McCrobie says
Any chance you would share your pineapple rice recipe? Thank you in advance.
Lynn O Brien says
Awesome, will make again. Did add a dash of Caribbean Jerk Seasoning.. 🍤🥡🥢
Mary Younkin says
I bet that was a great addition, Lynn!
Jamie says
My family loves this recipe – we include broccoli (it’s delicious) and I’ve changed up the protein a few times, trying pork tenderloin as well as turkey and chicken – all were a hit. I have a love affair with pineapple… we rarely have less than 2 sitting on the counter waiting to be devoured, so this is a great recipe for my back pocket. Thanks!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you love it that much, Jamie!