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Flavorful Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe Easy Zesty Lemon Garlic Marinade

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Quick and easy grilled shrimp skewers with a zesty lemon garlic marinade that delivers bold, fresh flavors perfect for weeknight dinners or outdoor gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on for presentation)
  • Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden, soak in water for 30 minutes beforehand)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 medium lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice, 1 teaspoon zest)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish and freshness)

Instructions

  1. If frozen, thaw the shrimp fully by placing them in a colander under cold running water for about 5 minutes. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, Dijon mustard, honey, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until well combined and slightly emulsified.
  3. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss gently to coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes. Do not marinate longer than 30 minutes to avoid tough shrimp.
  4. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, leaving space between each shrimp.
  5. Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat (about 5-7 minutes). Lightly oil the grill grates with a paper towel dipped in oil held with tongs.
  6. Place the shrimp skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning once, until shrimp are pink, opaque, and have grill marks. Avoid overcooking.
  7. Remove the skewers from the grill. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before marinating to ensure good sear. Marinate no longer than 30 minutes to prevent shrimp from becoming tough. Soak wooden skewers to avoid burning. Use high heat and turn shrimp only once for best grill marks and texture. Reserve some marinade before adding shrimp to brush on during grilling, but do not use marinade that touched raw shrimp.

Nutrition

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