Easy Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
These easy garlic grilled shrimp skewers are marinated in fresh herbs, garlic, and citrus then grilled to juicy perfection in just 6 minutes. The perfect quick summer BBQ dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp: Provides the main protein. Ensure they are peeled and deveined for best texture and flavor absorption.
- ¼ cup olive oil: Acts as the base for the marinade making sure the shrimp stay moist and flavorful during grilling. Substitute with avocado oil if needed.
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor. If cilantro isn’t your favorite, replace it with basil.
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped: Provides earthy, slightly peppery notes that balance the cilantro.
- 4 cloves garlic minced: Gives a potent, aromatic depth to the marinade, crucial for layering flavor.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: The acid helps tenderize the shrimp and enhances the marinade’s brightness. Substitute with lime juice for a different citrus profile.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Essential for seasoning drawing out the flavors from the shrimp and marinade.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Provides a mild heat and rich flavor that complements the herbs.
- Pinch cayenne pepper adjust to spice preference: Adds optional heat, perfect for those who enjoy a little kick.
Instructions
- Step 1: Mix the Marinade
- In a small mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, chopped cilantro, parsley, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Whisk together until well amalgamated. This ensures even distribution of the flavors when coating the shrimp.
- Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
- Place your shrimp in a broad bowl and pour about three-quarters of the marinade over them. Gently mix to ensure each shrimp is coated thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate for 30 minutes to an hour. The marinating time allows the flavors to penetrate the shrimp deeply, enhancing taste.
- Step 3: Prep the Shrimp for Grilling
- Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers, collecting as much of the herbs and garlic from the bowl as possible. Ensure the skewers are secure but not overcrowded to facilitate even cooking over the grill.
- Step 4: Grill the Shrimp
- Heat your grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat. Once hot, place the shrimp skewers on the grill. Grill for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. This indicates that they are cooked through.
- Step 5: Serve
- Transfer the cooked shrimp to a serving plate and drizzle with the remaining marinade for an extra flavor boost before serving.
Notes
- Shrimp size: Jumbo or extra-large shrimp (16-20 count per pound) are best for grilling — smaller shrimp cook too fast and can fall through the grates.
- Peeled and deveined: Buy pre-peeled and deveined shrimp to save time. Leaving the tails on looks great for presentation and gives guests something to hold onto.
- Marinade time: 20 minutes is the sweet spot — longer than 30 minutes and the citrus starts to cook the shrimp and affect the texture.
- Wooden skewers: Soak in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- Don't overcrowd: Leave a little space between each shrimp on the skewer so heat circulates properly and they sear instead of steam.
- Grill temperature: Medium-high heat (400-450°F) is ideal — too low and the shrimp steam, too high and the outside chars before the inside cooks through.
- Storage: Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 2 days — serve cold over salad or reheat gently in a skillet for 1-2 minutes.