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    Home » Recipes » Seafood Recipes

    Pineapple Shrimp Luau for a Tropical Island Dinner at Home

    Published: Jan 6, 2019 · Modified: Jun 25, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    19.0K shares
    • Facebook4.9K
    • Yummly
    5 from 12 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    While traveling this summer, Lisa and I saw this beautiful Pineapple Shrimp Luau and I knew once we got home I needed to recreate it for dinner.

    Pineapple Shrimp Luau

    Of course, I have no idea what the dish was called, but Lisa named the dish for me after I set the plate down on the table, as she told me it made her feel like she was at a Hawaiian Luau!

    I offered to take the dish out of the pineapple and serve it on a plate but she adamantly refused, saying it was so much fun to eat it the way I served it. Who knew?

    Pineapple Shrimp Luau

    The flavors of the aromatic onions and peppers with the sweet flavor of the pineapple combined so well with the spicy flavor of the blackened shrimp. I had fresh corn on hand and although it’s not really a tropical vegetable I thought it would make a nice addition to the dish adding flavor and color to the rice.

    Pineapple Shrimp Luau

    Garnish with some chopped cilantro and scallions to add another layer of flavor and a dash of color to the dish.

    Pineapple Shrimp Luau

    Then it’s time to sit down and enjoy the deliciousness you created with my Pineapple Shrimp Luau! It really is a very simple dish to make and your family and friends will have fun eating it, making dinner an event to remember.

    If you like shrimp you might also like these recipes:

    • Chicken and Shrimp Orzo Paella
    • Lemon Basil Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
    • Shrimp Etouffee 
    • Garlic Shrimp with Supergreens

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Pineapple Shrimp Luau
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 12 votes

    Pineapple Shrimp Luau

    This easy to make tropical rendition of shrimp and rice will make any night a special occasion.  Bring some smiles to your table with my Pineapple Shrimp Luau.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 791kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ pound shrimp peeled and deveined I used 26-30 count
    • 1 pineapple split and hollowed out save pineapple
    • ½ cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
    • ¼ cup red pepper – diced
    • ½ cup onion – diced
    • 1 cup pineapple diced
    • 3 cups cooked rice I cooked 1 ½ cup white rice with 3 cups chicken stock
    • 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped for garnishing
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
    • sea salt and black pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons scallions sliced for garnishing
    • 1 tablespoons cajun seasoning for blackening shrimp
    US Customary – Metric
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    Instructions

    • split pineapple down the middle completely through the stalk and pineapple
    • run a pairing knife along the edges of pineapple trying not to puncture the skin
    • angle knife to cut sections of pineapple out. As you remove sections it will get easier to remove all of the edible section of the pineapple.
    • remove the core from the pineapple and discard. You will have more pineapple than you need for this dish, save remainder for later use.
    • Cook rice according to directions.
    • saute corn, onion, peppers and pineapple in butter for 5-7 minutes until onion is cooked. Set aside until ready to mix with shrimp
    • Peel and devein shrimp, pat dry and dredge in your favorite cajun seasoning to blacken shrimp. If you don’t like spicy foods, use old bay or paprika to add color.
    • lightly blacken the seasoned shrimp over medium-high heat in one teaspoon until fully cooked. 
    • Mix cooked rice with pineapple mixture and shrimp.
    • Fill pineapple halves with mixture, making sure you can see the shrimp towards the top of the mixture.
    • Garnish with cilantro and scallions and serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 791kcal | Carbohydrates: 92g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 411mg | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 528mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2792IU | Vitamin C: 74mg | Calcium: 271mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

    More Seafood Recipes

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    • New England Clam Chowder Recipe
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Merci

      September 27, 2020 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      I made this last night and it was amazing!!! I will be maki g it again!!!

      Reply
    2. Carol

      September 13, 2020 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for a birthday party and it was a big hit!

      Reply
    3. Kat

      August 25, 2020 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      This was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! I used Bay seasoning, because I am not a fan of hot spice. I can’t tell you how pleased I was with this recipe! I made this as well as the pineapple butter cake for a Hawaiian themed “staycation” and I have been raving about both recipes. Thank you SO MUCH!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        August 25, 2020 at 8:47 pm

        thanks for the great review Kat and I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed my recipes!

        Reply
    4. Karen Sturgeon

      June 23, 2020 at 11:41 am

      Where does all the sodium come from in the shrimp and rice stuffed pineapple?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        June 23, 2020 at 12:04 pm

        thanks for catching that, for some reason there was a glitch with the sodium content of the shrimp. Its a lot lower now

        Reply
    5. Summer Yule

      June 13, 2020 at 7:32 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! So much fun to serve dinner in a pineapple 🙂 I loved how the sweetness of the pineapple complements the heat of the Cajun shrimp. Thank you for the dinner inspiration!

      Reply
    6. Ernie

      May 09, 2020 at 7:55 pm

      5 stars
      This is absolutely amazing!! I wanted to make something for my wife and I that reminded us of the islands and this recipe was spot on!! Thank you Chef!

      Reply
    7. Lisa

      December 05, 2019 at 1:36 pm

      Will this hold up well in crock pot? I’m having a luau for a large group and would need to do ahead. Looks delicious. Stealing pineapple serving idea for Hawaiian Cole slaw.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        December 05, 2019 at 3:38 pm

        hi Lisa

        I wouldn’t cook the shrimp in a crockpot but everything else would be fine.

        Reply
    8. Lisa Giordano-Thomas

      September 19, 2018 at 4:23 am

      5 stars
      Hello Chef Dennis;
      Yes… It was delicious as I expected it would!… I usually make this with Chicken Breast chunks instead of Shrimp… But, it was a very nice change (especially putting it all into a cored-out half of a pineapple and was simple to do! I always use Pineapple chunks as well, and sometimes I may add in some fresh (leftover-unused) vegetables, like Corn or peas (or pea-pods) and Broccoli tops, or even cauliflower crown-pieces. Anything I know that I or my company will love that lends itself to a tropical theme! A quick boil, stir fry & add it to the mix! It’s quick & Delicious! A definite make-over meal or a company meal! Plus, it’s lower in fat & calories too, I expect!

      Reply
    9. Donna Jean

      May 28, 2018 at 1:53 pm

      This looks amazing!! I’m going to try it tonight! Can I sub chicken instead of shrimp?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        May 28, 2018 at 6:10 pm

        yes you can Donna. Chicken, fish, lobster what ever you like.

        Reply
    10. Cathy

      March 06, 2018 at 9:04 pm

      What type of rice did you use I like jasmine or should it be plain rice , basmati etc

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        March 07, 2018 at 7:59 am

        I just used regular white rice, but feel free to use what every rice you prefer

        Reply
    11. Nancy W

      November 18, 2016 at 11:05 pm

      Chef Dennis I made this dish tonight for a dinner party and it was out of this world! My dinner guests were so impressed with this meal. Thank you for all your great recipes as I look forward to receiving them in my email.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 21, 2016 at 8:10 am

        Thank you so much for the comment Nancy, I love hearing success stories and I’m very happy to hear that your guests enjoyed the meal and presentation! It really is a fun way to serve dinner.
        Thanks for subscribing!

        Reply
    12. Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient

      August 09, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      I’ve never seen a pineapple used as a serving dish, very cute! And these flavors are all amped up from being in there im sure, so delish!!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        August 10, 2016 at 9:09 am

        Thanks Mary! I saw it done earlier in the summer and knew I had to try it!

        Reply

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