These grilled shrimp skewers are quick, flavorful, and perfect for summer grilling. Marinated in garlic, lemon, and herbs, they cook in minutes for an easy dinner or appetizer.

Juicy grilled shrimp kabobs served with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

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Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

Grilled shrimp skewers are one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to cook shrimp on the grill. Marinated in a simple mix of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs, the shrimp turn out juicy, tender, and lightly charred in just a few minutes.

I’ve been making these grilled shrimp kabobs for years, and they’re still one of my go-to summer recipes to serve at backyard BBQs. If you’re planning a cookout, be sure to check out my chicken kabobs, grilled steak kabobs, or browse more shrimp recipes for easy summer ideas.

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“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

Grilled Shrimp Skewers Marinade

For super flavorful shrimp skewers, 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.

Flat lay of ingredients for shrimp skewers including shrimp, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, olive and seasonings.

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.

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.

  • Thread. Start by threading the marinated, uncooked shrimp on 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 kabobs 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 BBQ and brush the reserved marinade on top for more flavor. Top with freshly chopped parsley and lemon slices before serving!
Grilled shrimp with golden edges and fresh parsley garnish.

Helpful Grilling Tips

  • 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.
Shrimp kabobs plated with lemon wedges and extra marinade on the side.

Do you love flavorful shrimp recipes? Try my bang bang shrimp recipe that can be made into bang bang shrimp tacos or try it with coconut fried shrimp!

More Shrimp Recipes

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

5 from 11 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Marinate: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4
These grilled shrimp skewers are quick, flavorful, and perfect for summer grilling. Marinated in garlic, lemon, and herbs, they cook in minutes for an easy dinner or appetizer.
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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 3-4 Tablespoons olive oil, 2 Tablespoons parsley, 2 garlic cloves, 1-2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon 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.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

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.

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. A homemade teriyaki sauce or this steak fajita marinade would both be delicious options!

Recipe FAQs

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.

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.

What I can serve with grilled shrimp skewers?

Grilled shrimp with mango salsa served over coconut rice is an amazing combination but we also love to pair it with simple dipping sauces like garlic aioli.