If you’re looking for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish that brings together sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors in perfect harmony, I can’t recommend this Mango Jalapeño BBQ Shrimp Recipe enough! The juicy shrimp bathed in a luscious mango and jalapeño glaze are grilled to smoky perfection, making this dish an absolute knockout for summer evenings or any time you want a little sunshine on your plate. Every bite bursts with fresh mango sweetness offset by a gentle jalapeño kick, all wrapped up in a smoky BBQ finish that will have you reaching for seconds (or thirds).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic in this recipe comes from a handful of simple, fresh ingredients that effortlessly blend to create an extraordinary taste experience. Each component plays an important role, whether it’s adding sweetness, heat, or depth, and best of all, you probably have most of them in your pantry or fridge right now.
- Mango: Use a ripe, juicy mango to bring natural sweetness and a vibrant golden color.
- Jalapeño peppers: Seeded and chopped to control heat, offering a fresh and spicy punch.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps blend the BBQ sauce smoothly.
- Honey: A touch of natural sweetness that balances the jalapeño heat perfectly.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed for bright acidity and to enhance all the flavors.
- Ketchup: Adds that classic BBQ tang and a hint of sweetness.
- Soy sauce or tamari: Provides savory umami depth that rounds out the sauce beautifully.
- Garlic: Minced for its fragrant bite and aromatic layers.
- Ground cumin: Brings a subtle earthiness and warmth.
- Smoked paprika: Infuses the sauce with smoky notes essential for BBQ flair.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, bringing everything together.
- Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined, they soak up the flavors and grill quickly.
- Wooden or metal skewers: For grilling; soak wooden skewers to prevent burning.
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges: For garnish and that final fresh touch.
How to Make Mango Jalapeño BBQ Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Mango Jalapeño BBQ Sauce
Start by combining the star players—diced mango, chopped jalapeños, olive oil, honey, lime juice, ketchup, soy sauce, minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika—in a blender or food processor. Blend until silky smooth, then season with salt and pepper. This sauce is your flavor powerhouse, perfectly balancing sweet, spicy, tangy, and smoky notes.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish, then pour about half of your freshly blended mango jalapeño BBQ sauce over them. Make sure every shrimp is well-coated—this marinade softens and infuses them with flavor. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting time lets the shrimp soak in that mouthwatering sauce, making each bite bursting with flavor.
Step 3: Prepare the Grill
While your shrimp are marinating, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Whether you’re using gas or charcoal, this temperature is perfect for grilling shrimp quickly without drying them out. Preheated grill marks are one of the best parts about cooking shrimp this way—they add visual appeal and that irresistible smokiness.
Step 4: Grill the Shrimp
Thread the marinated shrimp onto your skewers, spacing them just right so they cook evenly. Grill each side for 2-3 minutes, watching for the shrimp to turn opaque with lovely grill marks and a slight char. Be careful: shrimp cook fast and can become rubbery if overdone. The smoky grill plus the sweet and spicy sauce creates a flavor combo that’s simply unforgettable.
Step 5: Baste and Serve
During the last minute on the grill, generously brush the shrimp with the reserved mango jalapeño BBQ sauce. This final glaze locks in moisture and layers on more flavor. Once off the grill, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and lime wedges for a fresh, zesty finish. These little touches brighten the dish and elevate the overall taste experience.
How to Serve Mango Jalapeño BBQ Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro and lime wedges are the perfect garnishes for this dish; they add a burst of brightness and a lovely pop of green color against the succulent shrimp. If you’re feeling adventurous, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions can add additional texture and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
This Mango Jalapeño BBQ Shrimp Recipe pairs beautifully with light, fresh sides like a crisp garden salad, coconut rice, or grilled corn on the cob. The sweetness of the mango sauce complements creamy avocado as well, so mashed avocado or guacamole on the side makes for an ultra-satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by serving the shrimp over a bed of quinoa or inside warm corn tortillas for an easy taco night. You could also thread the grilled shrimp with colorful veggies like bell peppers and red onion for a vibrant, party-ready kebab platter. Either way, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover grilled shrimp in an airtight container and refrigerate. It’s best to consume within 2 days to enjoy optimal freshness and flavor. Keep the reserved BBQ sauce separate for the most vibrant taste when reheating.
Freezing
While fresh is always best with shrimp, you can freeze the grilled shrimp in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Just be mindful that texture may change slightly after freezing, so freezing is best for convenience rather than peak taste.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat or briefly in the microwave. Add a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce to keep the shrimp moist and avoid overcooking since shrimp can become tough if reheated too long.
FAQs
Can I make the Mango Jalapeño BBQ Sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container. This actually helps the flavors meld even more, so it can enhance your dish!
How spicy is this recipe? Can I adjust the heat?
The heat level comes mainly from the jalapeños, so you can easily adjust by adding fewer peppers or removing the seeds, which hold most of the heat. If you want more kick, add them back or include a pinch of cayenne pepper.
What other proteins work well with the Mango Jalapeño BBQ Sauce?
This sauce is versatile enough to glaze chicken, pork, or even firm white fish. Just adjust cooking times accordingly, and you’ll have a new favorite BBQ twist.
Can I cook the shrimp indoors?
Definitely! While a grill adds amazing smokiness, you can pan-sear the shrimp in a hot skillet or broil them in the oven for similar delicious results.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Simply use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, and double-check your ketchup label. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Mango Jalapeño BBQ Shrimp Recipe that makes it a standout in my recipe rotation. It’s quick, colorful, and packed with flavor — perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself after a busy day. I encourage you to give it a try and enjoy the beautiful blend of sweet, smoky, and spicy that will keep you coming back for more.
Print
Mango Jalapeño BBQ Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This vibrant Mango Jalapeño BBQ Shrimp recipe combines sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors with succulent grilled shrimp, making it a perfect dish for summer cookouts or any flavorful meal.
Ingredients
BBQ Sauce
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
- 1–2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Shrimp
- 500 g (1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning)
To Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Mango Jalapeño BBQ Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the diced mango, jalapeño peppers, olive oil, honey, lime juice, ketchup, soy sauce, minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Place the shrimp in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour about half of the mango jalapeño BBQ sauce over the shrimp, ensuring they are well coated. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting and serving. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure a good sear and proper cooking temperature.
- Grill the Shrimp: Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers. Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn opaque and develop a nice char. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
- Baste and Serve: During the last minute of grilling, brush the shrimp with the reserved mango jalapeño BBQ sauce. Remove from the grill and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the number of jalapeños to control the spice level of the BBQ sauce.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
- Serve with rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Ensure shrimp are not overcooked to retain juiciness and tenderness.
