↑

Will Cook For Smiles

Classic and Original Homecooking Recipes

  • Home
    • About Me
    • Work With Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe!
  • Recipes
    • Popular Posts
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Healthy Dishes
    • Soup
    • Salad
    • Sandwich
    • Cauliflower
    • Drink
    • Cocktail
  • How To
  • Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Main Dishes
    • Instant Pot Side Dishes
    • Instant Pot Soups
  • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Seafood
    • Pork
    • Chili
    • Pasta
    • Slow Cooker
    • Vegetarian
  • Dessert
    • Cheesecake
    • Cake
    • Cookies
    • Chocolate
  • Holidays
    • Fall Recipes
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas Dinner
    • Christmas Baking
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Super Bowl Recipes
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Holiday Leftover Recipes
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • BBQ
    • 4th Of July
Home » Dinner » Tropical Shrimp Rice Bowl

Tropical Shrimp Rice Bowl

Created: August 21, 2023 Updated: August 21, 2023 by Lyuba Brooke 39 Comments *This post may contain affiliate links. Read More...

80.0K shares
Jump to Recipe

Enjoy the tastes of summer with this Tropical Shrimp Rice Bowl! Juicy seared shrimp are served over cilantro rice with pineapple chunks and sweet and tangy sauce.

If you enjoy easy shrimp recipe, make some Coconut Lime Shrimp and Rice or Garlic Butter Shrimp.

Cilantro garnishes a tropical shrimp rice bowl.

Table of Contents

  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make a Tropical Shrimp Rice Bowl
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Storing and Reheating
  • Tools For This Recipe
  • More Easy Shrimp Recipes To Try
  • Tropical Shrimp Rice Bowl Recipe

Tender bites of shrimp and pineapple are served in a tasty sweet and tangy sauce over fluffy cilantro rice. All of those components in a single bite is the most harmonious combination of summertime flavors! Truly, this is a recipe that you’ll be craving time and time again, no matter what time of the year it is.

I just love that combination of sweetness, spice, and citrus. Lime already has a great scent, and combining it with pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, fresh cilantro, and a little spice creates the most wonderfully aromatic experience!

Shrimp is a very easy protein to cook and incredibly fast. It also goes great with some pineapple chunks, that are also seared and caramelized. They’re tender, juicy, and slightly charred to release even more of their natural sweetness. On a warm sunny day when you want something filling but still summery, this is the recipe to turn to.

Ingredient Notes

The ingredients for tropical shrimp rice bowl are placed on a wooden surface.

Jasmine Rice – You can use leftover cooked rice or cook rice while preparing the shrimp. The benefit to cooking rice right for the dish is the fact that you can add flavor to the water and infuse rice with it while it’s cooking.

Shrimp – if possible, get fresh shrimp but frozen shrimp will work as well. Just make sure it’s fully thawed prior to using.

Pineapple Chunks – you can simply use canned pineapple chunks, it’s simple and easy. However, fresh pineapple is really good and you can use bottled pineapple juice for the sauce and marinade.

Soy Sauce – use low-sodium soy sauce. If you need gluten free options, use gluten free soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos.

Lime – you will need lime juice and lime zest. Make sure to use fresh lime for the best flavor.

Honey – use your favorite honey and you can add a little more if you like your dish a little sweeter.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and instructions.

How to Make a Tropical Shrimp Rice Bowl

Raw shrimp are soaked in a bowl. Sauce is whisked in a measuring cup.

Cook the rice. Cook rice in slightly salted water according to the package instructions. Fluff once cooked and fold in some fresh cilantro. Set aside.

Prepare the shrimp. Peel, de-vein, and rinse shrimp. Mix shrimp with lime juice, pineapple juice, chili powder, and salt in a bowl and let it sit while preheating a cooking pan (1).

Make the sauce. Mix together pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, and cilantro. Set aside until ready to use (2). 

Shrimp are cooking in a skillet. They're removed and pineapple chunks and sauce is added to the skillet.

Cook the shrimp. Preheat a cooking pan over medium to medium-high heat for a few minutes. Add about a tablespoon of oil. Once the pan is hot, add the shrimp but not the marinade (3). Let the shrimp sear without touching it until just turns pink and opaque and flip (4). Let them sear on the other side until turns opaque. Take them out and set aside.

Sear the pineapple. Lower the heat to medium. Add a little bit more oil to the pan and add drained pineapple chunks. Sear pineapple chunks until nicely browned (5).

Add the sauce. Stir and pour in sauce into the pan while you stir (6). Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes (7).

Add shrimp and enjoy! Quickly stir in shrimp (8) and divide the shrimp, pineapple, and sauce mixture over the two rice bowls.

One image shows pineapple cooking in a skillet. The second image shows shrimp being added to the pineapple pan.
Cilantro garnishes over seared shrimp and pineapple over rice in a bowl.

Recipe FAQs

How do I know when shrimp are done cooking?

Shrimp cook very fast and it can be very easy to overcook. Don’t walk away far from the pan because shrimp are on average done within 2 minutes. Don’t use time to cook the shrimp because it ranges according to the size.
Look for the way shrimp looks to know if it’s done. Shrimp are done cooking when their tails curl into a “C” shape and their color turns opaque throughout.

How to serve tropical shrimp rice bowls?

I highly recommend serving these rice bowls with cilantro rice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top! As an alternative, you can serve it over coconut rice and with a serving of pineapple salsa or mango salsa.
Why don’t you treat yourself to a tropical cocktail like a Piña Colada for a fun weekend dinner.

How to clean shrimp before cooking?

Yes, absolutely. Shrimp has to be cleaned and deveined before cooking because that dark “vein” that you see running along the back of shrimp is actually shrimp’s waste. It’s important to clean that out.
First, take the shell off the shrimp leaving the tail intact. It’s easy to take the shell off by starting to peel at shrimp’s feet.
Make a slight incision with a paring knife along the back of shrimp, just deep enough to slice the outer skin. This will expose the “vein.” Rinse out the cavity with cold water, taking out the “vein” and any dirt, leaving shrimp nice and clean.
Of course, you can always purchase shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined at the store, saving yourself time and effort of doing it yourself.

A fork is lifting a bite of rice and shrimp from a full bowl.

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftovers, make sure to store it in an airtight food storage container, in the refrigerator. Make sure everything is cooled to room temp prior to storing. Leftovers should be good for 2-3 days.

Reheating:

First things first – I do NOT recommend that you reheat shrimp in the microwave! It almost always overcooks the shrimp and turns them into a tough, rubbery mess. The best way to reheat shrimp is in a pan over medium to medium-high heat.

Add a little olive oil to the pan and let it preheat. Once it’s hot, add the shrimp and flip them after a few seconds. Remove them from the pan as soon as they’re warmed through.

To reheat the rice, you will need to add a little liquid to reinvigorate the rice. You can use water, broth, or pineapple juice and soy sauce.

holding a fork with some shrimp and pineapple on it over the rice bowl.

Tools For This Recipe

(Affiliate links)

Cutting Board – use plastic cutting board when working with raw meats! If working with a lot of meat, this large cutting board is great.  Wooden Cutting Board

Hexclad Cooking Pans

Wooden Spoons

Measuring Cups and Spoons and/or Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups

More Easy Shrimp Recipes To Try

  • Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Avocado Shrimp Salad
  • Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowl
  • Shrimp and Grits
  • Grilled Shrimp Tacos

PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE leave a 🌟 star rating! Let me know how you liked it by leaving the 📝 comment below or share and tag me on social media @willcookforsmiles. DON’T FORGET to subscribe to my newsletter!

a white bowl filled with white rice and sauteed shrimp and pineapple over it.

Tropical Shrimp Rice Bowl Recipe

This dish is made with juicy shrimp, sweet pineapples, and a beautiful sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce.
4.43 from 33 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 500kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
  • 1/2 Tbsp fresh minced cilantro
  • Salt

Shrimp:

  • 1/2 lb shrimp
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 Tbsp pineapple juice
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp chili powder to taste
  • Salt to taste

Sauce:

  • 8 oz can of pineapple chunks drain but save the juice
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 3 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • Zest from 1 lime
  • Juice from 1 lime
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp fresh minced cilantro

Instructions

  • Cook rice in slightly salted water, according to the package instructions. Fluff once cooked and fold in some fresh cilantro. Set aside. (Divide rice between two bowls when ready to serve.)
  • For the sauce: mix together pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, and cilantro. Set aside until ready to use. 
  • Peel, de-vein, and rinse shrimp. Mix shrimp with lime juice, pineapple juice, chili powder, and salt in a bowl and let it sit while preheating a cooking pan.
  • Preheat a cooking pan over medium to medium-high heat for a few minutes. Add about a tablespoon of oil. Once the pan is hot, add the shrimp but not the marinade. Let the shrimp sear without touching it until just turns pink and opaque and flip. Let them sear on the other side until turns opaque. Take them out and set aside.
    (Note: You can save the juice from marinating the shrimp and add it to the sauce.)
  • Lower the heat to medium. Add a little bit more oil to the pan and add drained pineapple chunks. Sear pineapple chunks until nicely browned.
  • Stir and pour in sauce into the pan while you stir. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  • Quickly stir in shrimp and divide the shrimp, pineapple, and sauce mixture over the two rice bowls.

Video

Notes

  • How To Tell If Shrimp Is Done? Don’t walk away far from the pan because shrimp are on average done within 2 minutes. Don’t use time to cook the shrimp because it ranges according to the size. Look for the way shrimp looks to know if it’s done. Shrimp are done cooking when their tails curl into a “C” shape and their color turns opaque throughout.
  • Storing: If you have any leftovers, make sure to store it in an airtight food storage container, in the refrigerator. Make sure everything is cooled to room temp prior to storing. Leftovers should be good for 2-3 days.
  • Reheating: Add a little olive oil to the pan and let it preheat. Once it’s hot, add the shrimp and flip them after a few seconds. Remove them from the pan as soon as they’re warmed through. 
  • To reheat the rice, you will need to add a little liquid to reinvigorate the rice. You can use water, broth, or pineapple juice and soy sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 114g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 1527mg | Potassium: 420mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 397IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in April 2017.

 

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

80.0K shares

Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Dinner, Rice, Seafood, Shrimp

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Valerie says

    August 27, 2023 at 8:02 pm

    I can’t have cilantro what could I use as a substitute?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 28, 2023 at 9:19 am

      Hi Valerie,

      You can just leave it out or add a little parsley.

      Reply
  2. Connie says

    July 23, 2023 at 2:03 pm

    5 stars
    I didn’t find this recipe that good?? Not much flavor or the flavors didn’t blend nicely?? I would like to know how your shrimp browned so nicely! The pineapples browned but not the shrimp.

    the recipe was hard to follow regarding the sauce vs adding sauce to the shrimp??

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      July 31, 2023 at 12:08 pm

      To achieve a nice browning on your shrimp, begin by preheating your pan until it’s hot, and then remove the shrimp from the marinade before searing them.

      Is the confusion regarding the leftover marinade? In step 2, you’ll marinate the shrimp, and in step 6, you’ll stir in the sauce along with the remaining marinade. I hope that helps.

      Reply
  3. Edith Collins says

    October 31, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    Wanted . to prepare for my family who’s coming from out of town. Hoping they enjoy the amazing favors.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      November 2, 2021 at 9:59 am

      I hope everyone likes it!

      Reply
  4. Mark says

    January 22, 2021 at 11:14 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious
    I steamed some vegetables (peas, beans and carrots) and added to the bowl. Next time I would make more of the sauce. It was great and we all wanted more of it. Thx.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      January 25, 2021 at 1:43 pm

      Awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by to let me know. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Mai says

    August 23, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    What are the portions for ingredients if I want to make dinner for 5? Thank you

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 24, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      Hi Mai,

      I would triple the recipe to be enough shrimp for five, I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  6. Britany Fink says

    August 12, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    4 stars
    Where can I find the Nutrition Info for this recipe?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 13, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      Hi Britney,

      I updated it and it is now located at the bottom of the recipe card. It is for the whole recipe and you can split it between how ever many servings you’d like to make it. Hope this helps.

      Reply
  7. Kiki says

    April 29, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    5 stars
    This will be the fourth time I make this dish and it’s a hit every time!!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      May 1, 2020 at 12:22 pm

      Hi Kiki, Thank you for taking the time to let me know and rating my recipe! I am so glad you liked it! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Amy says

    April 15, 2020 at 7:41 am

    Can you use lemon instead of lime juice?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      April 16, 2020 at 11:22 am

      Hi Amy,

      Even though both lemon and lime are both citrusy the flavors are different so I don’t think you could substitute it in this recipe.

      Reply
  9. LyubaB says

    March 30, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    Hi, Kim! I am glad you liked it but sorry that you found the instructions difficult. 🙁

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

Fall Recipes

stacked apple fritters on the wire rack

Apple Fritters

squared view of pumpkin puree in a glass jar.

Pumpkin Puree

pumpkin bread slices stacked up and whipped cream on a spoon next to it.

Pumpkin Bread

A stack of pumpkin pancakes with whipped cream and syrup on top on a plate.

Pumpkin Pancakes

A stack of sweet potato cakes on a cutting board with a dollop of sour cream on top with green onions.

Sweet Potato Cakes

scooping out some roasted potatoes and bacon.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

squared centered image of stacked apple bacon grilled cheese

Apple Bacon Gouda Grilled Cheese

top view of apple salad in wooden bowl and dressing.

Apple Salad

Our Popular Recipes

Mixed mango salsa in a white bowl with a wooden spoon.

Mango Salsa

closeup of buffalo chicken wrap halves stacked.

Buffalo Chicken Wrap with Homemade Ranch

close up view of view from above of salted chocolate white chocolate chip cookies on a wire cooling rack on top of a wooden table and top cookie broken into 2

Salted White Chocolate Chip Brown Butter Chocolate Cookies

closeup of blackened salmon filet with a lime wedge

Blackened Salmon

Chicken Alfredo

six zucchini fritters stacked on top of each other on parchment paper.

Zucchini Fritters

Top Rated Recipes

The Best French Toast

Cauliflower Parmesan Crisps

Christmas Cheesecake (Cranberry Jam White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake)

Avocado Salmon Rice Bowl

round decorative bowl filled with apple pie bread pudding topped with ice cream and a fork leaning on the side of the bowl viewed close up.

Apple Pie Bread Pudding

Smores cheesecake on a wooden table

S'mores Cheesecake

Sides

30 Min

Pasta

Salads

Breakfast

Drinks

Soups

Gluten Free

FEATURED ON:

featured on

Caipirinha

Caipirinha

September 5, 2023
Caipirinha...
Shrimp Burgers

Shrimp Burgers

August 30, 2023
These...
Classic Mojito Recipe

Classic Mojito Recipe

August 16, 2023
Classic...
Turkey Burgers

Turkey Burgers

June 14, 2023
This...
Steak Diane

Steak Diane

May 29, 2023
Steak...
Sautéed Mushrooms

Sautéed Mushrooms

May 26, 2023
Sautéed...
Lobster Tails Recipe

Lobster Tails Recipe

May 26, 2023
This...
Greek Tortellini Salad

Greek Tortellini Salad

May 25, 2023
Greek...
Blackened Salmon

Blackened Salmon

May 25, 2023
Blackened...
Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits

May 11, 2023
Shrimp...
Privacy Policy
©2023, Will Cook For Smiles. Design by Pixel Me Designs