Grilled Garlic Herb Shrimp Skewers
In short: Large shrimp marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon and herbs, threaded onto skewers and grilled for 4 minutes. Quick, light and good with salads. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 195 kcal
Marinated shrimp skewers are the sort of grilled food that tastes like summer and takes almost no time. A 20-minute soak in olive oil, garlic, lemon zest and herbs is plenty, since shrimp absorb flavor quickly. Thread them on two parallel skewers so they do not spin when you turn them, then grill hot and fast for 2 minutes per side. Serve with grilled vegetables, rice or a simple salad.
Instructions
- Whisk the oil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, paprika, salt and chili flakes in a bowl. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate in the fridge for 20 minutes, no longer, since the lemon juice starts to firm the shrimp.
- Heat a grill to high, about 230°C (450°F). Clean the grate and oil it lightly. If using wooden skewers, soak 8 of them in water for 30 minutes.
- Thread 5 or 6 shrimp onto each of 4 pairs of parallel skewers, passing both skewers through every shrimp. Do not pack them tightly, so heat reaches all sides.
- Grill the skewers for 2 minutes per side, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, curl loosely into a C shape and reach 63°C (145°F). They toughen quickly, so do not walk away.
- Move the skewers to a platter, squeeze lemon wedges over them and serve right away.
Tips
- Double skewers stop the shrimp from spinning when you turn them. Wooden skewers need a 30-minute soak so they do not burn.
- No grill? Cook the skewers in a ridged grill pan over high heat, or under a hot broiler for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Questions and answers
How long should I marinate shrimp?
Fifteen to 30 minutes is enough. Longer in lemon juice turns the texture mushy and chalky.
Can I use frozen shrimp for skewers?
Yes. Thaw them in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes, then pat them dry before marinating.
Should I leave the tails on the shrimp?
It is optional. Tails give you a handle when eating with your fingers and help keep the shrimp on the skewer, but you can remove them if you prefer.
How long does it take to make Grilled Garlic Herb Shrimp Skewers?
About 20 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Grilled Garlic Herb Shrimp Skewers?
About 195 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 195 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 660 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
