Name: Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers Recipe
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup plus 4 tbsp. cranberry sauce (jellied or whole berry); 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced; 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, peeled and minced (or 1 tsp. dried ginger); 3 garlic cloves, minced; Zest of 1 lime; 2-3 tbsp. lime juice (about juice of 1 lime); 2 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce; 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar; 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined; Several skewers for grilling (soaked if using wood skewers); Extra lime wedges for serving

If you’re craving something that perfectly blends sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors all in one bite, you’re going to be obsessed with my Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy enough for a holiday appetizer yet easy enough to make any weeknight special. The zing from fresh jalapeño and ginger mingles beautifully with the tart cranberry sauce, giving the shrimp a seriously addicting flavor. Keep reading because I’ve packed this guide with tips to help you nail it the first time — trust me, it’s fan-freaking-tastic.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Explosion: The combination of cranberry’s tartness with spicy jalapeño and fresh ginger creates an irresistible taste you’ll crave.
Quick & Easy: Marinade hands off for 1-2 hours means minimal prep and maximum flavor without complicated steps.
Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it’s a holiday party or Taco Tuesday, these skewers fit right in and get rave reviews.
Healthy Protein Kick: Shrimp is low in fat but high in protein, making this a delicious guilt-free indulgence.

A white rectangular plate holds a single layer of grilled shrimp, each shrimp showing char marks with a mix of bright orange and slightly blackened edges. Bright red cranberries are scattered on and around the shrimp, adding a pop of color. Light green slices of jalapeño peppers are interspersed among the shrimp, along with lime wedges placed on the plate’s edges and in between the shrimp, showing some juicy green inside. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth partially visible on the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers, Cranberry Shrimp Skewers, Spicy Shrimp Appetizer, Holiday Shrimp Skewers, Easy Shrimp Skewers Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together to balance spicy, sweet, and tangy perfectly. When shopping, I usually pick cranberry sauce that’s not overly sweet — jellied or whole berry both work great depending on the texture you like. Fresh ginger and jalapeño add that fresh bite, so don’t skip them!

Flat lay of a pile of raw peeled and deveined shrimp, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth red jellied cranberry sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with dark glossy balsamic vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl with golden soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant freshly squeezed lime juice, a fresh whole jalapeno pepper with glossy green skin, three whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl with minced fresh ginger root, three peeled garlic cloves, a fresh lime with bright green zest partially grated, and several fresh lime wedges, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers, Cranberry Shrimp Skewers, Spicy Shrimp Appetizer, Holiday Shrimp Skewers, Easy Shrimp Skewers Recipe

Cranberry sauce: Jellied if you want smooth or whole berry for texture; either adds the perfect tartness.
Jalapeño: Seeds add heat, so I always remove them to control the spice just right.
Fresh ginger: Fresh really shines here for that warm zing; dried works in a pinch but fresh is best.
Garlic cloves: Minced for subtle depth—you can’t go wrong with fresh garlic.
Lime zest and juice: Adds bright citrus notes that lift all the flavors.
Low sodium soy sauce: Balances sweetness with umami without being too salty.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds richness and a sweet tang–perfect counterpoint to spice.
Shrimp: Peeled and deveined for quick cooking and easy eating.
Skewers: Wood or metal; soak wood skewers beforehand to prevent burning when grilling.
Extra lime wedges: For squeezing over at serving, because more citrus is always a win!

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 making this Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers Recipe my own depending on the occasion and what’s in season. Feel free to swap or add ingredients to suit your taste buds—this recipe is a fantastic canvas for creativity!

Milder version: When hosting kids or spice-averse friends, I reduce the jalapeño and omit the seeds; the marinade still tastes flavorful and bright.
Extra heat: Toss in a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce for a serious kick—my spice-loving friends request this all the time!
Sweet alternative: Use orange marmalade instead of cranberry sauce for a luscious citrus twist I discovered one summer.
Skewer swaps: Try adding chunks of pineapple or bell pepper on the skewers for extra color and sweetness.

How to Make Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together your marinade

Start by whisking cranberry sauce, diced jalapeño, minced ginger, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, low sodium soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar together in a shallow dish. It’s important to make sure everything is well combined so the shrimp soak up all those bold flavors evenly.

Step 2: Marinate the shrimp

Add your peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade, making sure each piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours — this step is key for the shrimp to absorb that spicy, sweet, and tangy goodness. I found that less than an hour just doesn’t let the flavors develop fully.

Step 3: Prepare your grill or grill pan

While the shrimp marinates, soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes if that’s what you’re using. Then, heat a grill pan over medium-high or fire up the outdoor grill. You want it hot enough to get good sear marks but not so hot that the shrimp burns before cooking through.

Step 4: Thread and grill the shrimp

Thread the shrimp onto your skewers—don’t crowd them to ensure even cooking. Grill each side for about 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Overcooking shrimp is an easy mistake; they go from perfectly juicy to rubbery fast, so keep an eye on them.

Step 5: Brush and serve

Once off the grill, brush the shrimp skewers with the remaining 4 tablespoons of cranberry sauce for an extra glossy, flavorful finish. I always serve these with lime wedges on the side—you and your guests will love the fresh squeeze on top!

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Pro Tips for Making Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers Recipe

Marinating Time Matters: Don’t rush the marinade—letting shrimp soak up flavors for at least an hour makes all the difference. I learned this the hard way when I tried 30 minutes and the flavors were faint.
Avoid Overcrowding: Thread shrimp with a little space between pieces. When they’re too close, they steam instead of grill, losing that smoky char I love.
Control the Heat: Adjust jalapeño seeds according to your preferred spice level. When hosting mixed spice-level crowds, I remove seeds for half the batch.
Quick Cleanup Hack: Use foil on your grill pan to save scrubbing time—makes weeknight cooking easier, especially after a long day.

How to Serve Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers Recipe

The dish shows a white rectangular plate with grilled shrimp placed in a slightly spread out arrangement. The shrimp are reddish with some char marks and a shiny glaze texture. Scattered among the shrimp are whole dark red cranberries and small green chili slices, adding pops of color. There are three lime wedges placed among the shrimp, each with bright green skin and pale yellow-green inside. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with a white and gray striped cloth partially underneath, and to the left of the plate is a small pink container holding several light brown bamboo picks tied in loops. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers, Cranberry Shrimp Skewers, Spicy Shrimp Appetizer, Holiday Shrimp Skewers, Easy Shrimp Skewers Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or parsley — it adds a fresh pop of color and complements the tangy cranberry beautifully. Extra lime wedges are a must because a little squeeze brings everything to life in each bite.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with these skewers are a light avocado and black bean salad or grilled corn on the cob for that summertime vibe. When I want something heartier, cilantro lime rice or quinoa pairs perfectly to soak up any extra juices.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served these skewers standing upright in a pretty glass filled with coarse salt or rice — it’s such an easy way to make the presentation pop and keep the skewers stable. They also look amazing laid out on a large platter with colorful garnishes for a festive spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store any leftover skewers in an airtight container in the fridge and eat them within 2 days. The flavors meld even more, and they’re great cold or reheated gently.

Freezing

While I prefer fresh, I’ve successfully frozen cooked shrimp skewers wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently; note the texture softens a bit but still tasty for a quick meal.

Reheating

Reheat leftover skewers in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5-7 minutes or on a grill pan over medium heat just until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep shrimp from getting rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before marinating so the flavors stick better and they cook evenly on the grill.
What if I don’t have a grill or grill pan?

No worries! You can cook the shrimp under the broiler in your oven for a couple of minutes per side—just watch carefully so they don’t overcook. A cast-iron skillet also works great for a nice sear.
How can I make this recipe less spicy?

Simply remove the jalapeño seeds, and use only half the amount of jalapeño or swap it entirely for a sweet bell pepper to keep the flavor without the heat.
Can I prepare the marinade in advance?

Yes! You can mix the marinade a day ahead and refrigerate it, then add shrimp to marinate just before cooking. This saves time while keeping the flavors fresh.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Cranberry Shrimp Skewers Recipe is one of those rare dishes that always impresses but never stresses me out in the kitchen. I love serving it at gatherings because everyone asks for the recipe, and it’s so satisfying to make something that’s both flavorful and light. If you want to wow your family or friends without spending hours cooking, give this a try—I promise you’ll be hooked just like we are!