Skip to Content

Grilled Gulf Shrimp With Tropical Fruit Kabobs (Dry Tortugas National Park)

By: Author Bram Reusen

Posted on Last updated:

Grilled Gulf shrimp recipe inspired by: Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida (alternatively: Biscayne National Park)

Looking for a healthy grilling idea inspired by a national park? Look no further than this light, tasty, and nutrient-packed grilled Gulf shrimp and tropical fruit kabobs recipe!

Inspired by the stunning tropical waters of Dry Tortugas National Park, this recipe highlights the amazing fishing opportunities of the Florida Keys, as well as the area’s delicious tropical fruits.

Fishing is, in fact, allowed in Dry Tortugas National Park, but there are some regulations and possible permit requirements. Within the park, shrimping is allowed by dip net or cast net.

And it’s these delicious Gulf shrimp that we’re going to use in this national park-inspired grilling recipe. Served with colorful kabobs featuring tropical fruits and some veggies, it’s a fantastic meal on a hot summer day.

Grilled Gulf shrimp and tropical fruit kabobs inspired by Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Keys

This Dry Tortugas National Park-inspired recipe for grilled Gulf shrimp with tropical fruit kebabs contains affiliate links. You can read more about our Terms of Use / Disclosure here.

Dry Tortugas Grilled Gulf Shrimp With Tropical Fruit Kabobs

  • Prep time: 40 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes
  • Total time: 1 hour
  • Servings: 4
  • Calories per serving: 

This is one of the easiest national park-inspired grilling recipes we have on The National Parks Experience. Both the Gulf shrimp and fruits and veggies marinate for about half an hour.

Then, we’ll put them on skewers and grill them until they’re perfectly cooked and beautifully charred, respectively. (If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before you start grilling.)

What I love most about this recipe, besides the flavors, of course, is that we’re using Gulf shrimp, which actually live in Dry Tortugas National Park.

Paired with healthy kabobs that boast a rainbow of colors—another nod to the park’s tropical location—this is a national park-inspired recipe you’ll want to save!

Gulf shrimp on the grill
Grilled tropical fruit and veggie kabobs inspired by Dry Tortugas National Park

Necessary Kitchen and Barbecue Tools

Grilled Gulf shrimp recipe with tropical fruit kabobs inspired by Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Keys
Yield: 4 servings

Dry Tortugas Grilled Gulf Shrimp With Tropical Fruit Kabobs Recipe

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Inspired by the stunning waters of Dry Tortugas National Park, this grilled Gulf shrimp recipe (with tropical fruit kabobs) highlights the amazing fishing opportunities of the Florida Keys, as well as the area’s delicious tropical fruits.

Ingredients

Gulf Shrimp

  • 0.75 pounds wild-caught Gulf shrimp
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
  • Salt and pepper

Tropical Fruit Kabobs

  • 4 watermelon chunks
  • 4 pineapple chunks
  • 8 cantaloupe chunks
  • 4 whole mushrooms
  • 1 zucchini, halve lengthwise and thickly sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, cut into 4 wedges
  • 1 orange bell pepper, cut into large chunks
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

Marinate Gulf Shrimp

  1. Rinse shrimp and pat dry.
  2. Add shrimp, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and smoked paprika to a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and mix well.
  3. Put in the fridge to marinate for 20-30 minutes.

Marinate Tropical Fruits and Veggies

  1. Add watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, mushrooms, red onion, bell pepper and olive oil to a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and mix well.
  2. Set aside to marinate for 20-30 minutes.

Grill Gulf Shrimp and Tropical Fruit Kabobs

  1. While the shrimp, fruits and veggies marinate, light your grill.
  2. Arrange fruits and veggies on skewers by color, representing a rainbow.
  3. Put shrimp on skewers. (Make sure to thread the skewer through both the thickest part of the shrimp and its tail. This makes them more stable on the skewer and easier for you to turn.)
  4. Grill tropical fruit kabobs until they're a little charred on all sides and veggies are tender, about 15 minutes, turning regularly.
  5. Grill shrimp until they're pink and opaque, 2-3 minutes per side.
  6. Remove from grill and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the grilled Gulf shrimp.
  7. Serve shrimp with tropical fruit kabobs. Enjoy!

Dry Tortugas National Park inspired Gulf shrimp and tropical fruit kabobs on the grill

Notes

Note: You can use any sort of (tropical) fruit for these refreshing kabobs. Besides, or instead of, the watermelon, pineapple and cantaloupe I used in this recipe, you can also use fruits like kiwis, peaches, mangoes, starfruit and even bananas.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 642Total Fat 25.3gSaturated Fat 3.3gCholesterol 578mgSodium 1012mgCarbohydrates 42.2gFiber 4.6gSugar 34.9gProtein 69.3g

A general nutrition calculator was used to determine the nutritional information of this recipe, which is meant solely as an indication of the dish's nutritional values. Depending on specific ingredients, quantities used and/or serving size, the ultimate dish you end up making may have different nutritional aspects. Please consider the information provided here only as guidance and not as an absolute fact.

© Bram
Cuisine: Fish and Seafood
If You Decide to Make This Healthy Grilled Gulf Shrimp Recipe Inspired by Dry Tortugas National Park at Home, Feel Free to Tell Everyone About It Below! Happy Cooking!

More Grilling Recipes Inspired by the National Parks

Skip to Recipe