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Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Easy, healthy, and delicious grilled shrimp skewers coated in an herbed lemon garlic marinade. The perfect spring and summer barbecue dish!

Grilled shrimp skewers on a white plate with sliced lemon.
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Easy Skewered Grilled Shrimp

Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s time to break out your grill and get barbecuing! And first on the list? These grilled shrimp skewers! They’re such an easy shrimp recipe that is also healthy and absolutely delicious.

My husband is usually our grill master and loves to make chicken kabobs and grilled steak kabobs. I get sort of nervous grilling meats because I’m never sure when they’re done cooking. I’m always afraid of overcooking and undercooking. But when it comes to shrimp, that’s my specialty. I always know when it’s done cooking because it turns from gray to pink – easy peasy!

One of the reasons why these grilled shrimp skewers are so awesome is because there’s no frying like in bang bang shrimp or sauces like my shrimp cocktail recipe. This shrimp is marinated in a deliciously simple lemon garlic oil marinade that’s quick to make and adds so much flavor. Another reason is because simply put, skewers are cool. Everyone likes grilled meat or fish on skewers!

Grilled Shrimp Skewers Marinade

For super flavorful shrimp skewers, it’s important to let the shrimp soak in the marinade for about 30 to 90 minutes. I love this shrimp marinade because it’s simple, yet has a bold flavor.

Simply whisk the below ingredients together, then toss with the shrimp and let marinate. Don’t forget to reserve 1 Tablespoon of the marinade for serving!

Ingredients for grilled shrimp skewers.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Olive oil: Adding high-quality olive oil adds moisture to the shrimp and allows the seasoning to stick.
  • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright citrus flavor. The acidity from the lemon also helps to tenderize the shrimp.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic adds a bold, pungent flavor that pairs wonderfully with the fresh lemon and seasonings. Check out tips on how to mince garlic easily.
  • Parsley: Chopped Italian flat-leaf fresh parsley is an aromatic herb that enhances the flavor of the marinade even more.
  • Seasonings: A simple dash of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning is all that’s needed to let the natural flavors of the shrimp shine through.
  • Shrimp: Peeled shrimp that is uncooked and deveined makes this seafood recipe even easier.

More Garlic Flavor

For a stronger garlic flavor, you can use a similar method to my shrimp scampi recipe. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add sliced garlic and cook until soft. Then add the lemon juice and seasonings.

Let cool, then pour over the shrimp to marinate.

How to Grill Shrimp Skewers

Once the shrimp has had time to marinate, it’s time to thread them onto skewers and grill. Shrimp kabobs are a simple way to make a light dinner or a simple appetizer. This is a quick and easy recipe that has all the flavor!

  • Thread. Start by threading the marinated, uncooked shrimp onto skewers until full, and then place them in a 9×13″ pan. If you are using wooden skewers, it’s important to soak them in water for about 15 minutes before using them to prevent burning.
  • Grill. Make sure the grill is preheated to high heat before using. Then grill the skewers on each side for about 3 minutes. They will be an opaque or pink color and firm when ready.
  • Brush. Remove the skewers from the grill and brush the reserved marinade on top for more flavor. Top with freshly chopped parsley and lemon slices before serving!
Grilled shrimp skewers on a white plate.

Sauces and Condiments

Take this skewered grilled shrimp up a notch and serve it with one of the delicious condiments below. Each condiment will bring out different flavors with the shrimp leaving you wanting to try more!

  • Mango salsa: I never make shrimp skewers without making fresh mango salsa. The two pair perfectly together and taste so flavorful and delicious.
  • Pineapple salsa: Whip up this easy grilled pineapple salsa at the same time the shrimp cooks.
  • Garlic aioli: A creamy garlic aioli is the perfect dipping sauce for this recipe.
  • Sauce: This tangy homemade tartar sauce or fish taco sauce pairs perfectly with all types of fish, including these shrimp skewers!
  • Basil pesto: Spread some homemade basil pesto on top during the summer months when fresh basil is abundant.
  • Chimichurri: With just a few more ingredients, you can make a homemade chimichurri sauce that makes this recipe next-level delicious.

Helpful Tips

These helpful tips make grilled shrimp skewers even easier! Using either frozen or precooked shrimp, learning how to peel shrimp, and using wooden skewers properly are all great ways to ensure delicious grilled shrimp!

  • How to peel shrimp. The shrimp must be peeled before marinating and grilling. Check out this easy tutorial.
  • Soak wooden skewers. Be sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes to keep them from burning. Alternatively, you can use metal skewers instead.
  • Frozen shrimp. You can use frozen uncooked shrimp, however, make sure they are thawed completely before grilling.
  • Precooked shrimp. I wouldn’t recommend using precooked shrimp. It has a tendency to taste rubbery and extra chewy when grilled.

Variations

Feel free to use fresh lime juice instead of lemon if preferred. You can also use garlic powder in place of minced garlic, or add in other fresh herbs or seasonings such as oregano, paprika, or red pepper flakes.

You can even experiment with the flavor and use a totally different marinade. Teriyaki sauce or this steak fajita marinade would both be delicious options!

Ways to Serve Shrimp Skewers

There are plenty of ways to enjoy these shrimp skewers! Try it in pasta, wrapped in a taco, or make it light with a salad. The possibilities are endless! Below are a few of our favorites to try!

Recipe FAQs

What is the secret to grilling shrimp?

Salt and baking soda are known secrets to grilling shrimp. Treating or soaking the shrimp in the baking soda and salt mixture keeps the shrimp staying plump and juicy as well as brown when they are grilling.

Should you soak shrimp before grilling?

It is always a good option to soak shrimp before grilling, broiling, or baking the shrimp. This will only increase the moisture in the shrimp leaving them juicy and helps from drying out.

How long to grill cooked shrimp on the grill?

Cooking shrimp is a fast procedure. Once your grill is ready and heated, place the shrimp on for 1 to 3 minutes then flip to grill the other side. This does not take long to cook shrimp on the grill.

What’s the best way to grill shrimp on the grill?

The best way to grill shrimp on the grill is using skewers. The closer and tighter they are on the skewer the less the shrimp will dry out.

Do you grill shrimp covered or uncovered?

You can either grill the shrimp with the cover-up or down. The cover-up will help slow down the process of grilling the shrimp and the cover closed will help the shrimp grill quickly.

Grilled shrimp on a skewer on a white platter.

5 star review

“This is one of my favorites to BBQ. The marinade is so tasty and the shrimp grilled up so nice. I will be making this often!”

-Gina

Do you love flavorful shrimp!? Then you will have to try this popular bang bang shrimp recipe that can be made into bang bang shrimp tacos or bang bang shrimp pasta.

More Easy Grilling Recipes

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Grilled Shrimp Skewers

5 from 11 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Easy, healthy and delicious grilled shrimp skewers coated in an herbed lemon garlic marinade. The perfect spring and summer barbecue dish!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Marinate: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • 4 wooden skewers (soaked in water for 15 minutes)

Ingredients 

  • 3-4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1-2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice , can sub for lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound uncooked large shrimp , peeled and deveined

For Topping (optional)

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning salt, and pepper. Reserve 1 Tablespoon of the marinade for serving, if desired. Add the shrimp and toss together. Marinate for 30-90 minutes.
  • Thread uncooked shrimp onto soaked skewers and place in a 9×13" pan.
  • Preheat the grill to high heat. Grill marinated shrimp for about 3 minutes on each side or until pink and firm.
  • Remove from grill and brush on the 1 Tablespoon reserved marinade, if desired. Serve while warm. Add chopped parsley and lemon slices on top.

Notes

Shrimp: The shrimp must be peeled before marinating and grilling. You can use frozen uncooked shrimp, however make sure they are thawed completely before grilling. I wouldn’t recommend using precooked shrimp.
Skewers: You can use metal or wooden skewers. Be sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes to keep them from burning. 
Storage: Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewer | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 933mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

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