Quick, elegant, and bursting with flavor, these shrimp skewers are perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining. The garlic butter marinade keeps them juicy while high heat creates beautiful char marks. From grill to table in under 20 minutes—seafood perfection!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs large shrimp (21-25 count), peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Make marinade: Combine melted butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, zest, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate shrimp: Toss shrimp in marinade and let sit for 15 minutes (no longer—acid can make shrimp mushy).
- Prepare skewers: Thread 5-6 shrimp onto metal or soaked wooden skewers.
- Preheat grill: Heat to high (450-500°F). Clean and oil grates well.
- Grill: Cook skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque with light char marks.
- Serve: Drizzle with extra garlic butter and serve with lemon wedges.
Pro Tips
- Don't overcook! Shrimp cook fast—watch for the curl and color change.
- For even cooking, use shrimp of similar size.
Variations
- Cajun style: Replace paprika with Cajun seasoning.
- Asian twist: Add 1 tbsp sesame oil and top with cilantro.
- Extra lemony: Add thin lemon slices between shrimp on skewers.