Quick, easy, and healthy, these Grilled Shrimp Skewers will be a hit at all of your cookouts this summer! Marinated in a dreamy concoction of fresh herbs, lemon, and smoked paprika, these delicious shrimp skewers take no time at all to cook. Don't forget to slather them with butter before serving!
Shrimp are quick and easy to cook, and make the best healthy appetizers or main dishes! Our Classic Shrimp Cocktail is the perfect way to kick off a cookout or party anytime throughout the year, and our completely irresistible Crispy Coconut Shrimp can be either baked or fried and served with your favorite dip!
Fresh, zesty, and loaded with butter, these Grilled Shrimp Skewers are going to be on repeat this summer at cookouts and BBQs! They're so easy to make, can be served as an appetizer or as part of the main dish, and although they're brushed with butter before eating, they are fairly low in calories. Great for a light, healthy option!
One of my favorite things about this grilled shrimp skewers recipe is the quick and easy prep. You don't want to marinate the shrimp too long or the acid from the lemon will actually start to cook the shrimp. But anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours is perfect for allowing the shrimp to absorb all of the fresh flavors from the herbs, lemon, and smoked paprika. With any leftover marinade, I save it to brush over the shrimp while it's grilling for an extra pop of flavor. It is delicious!
However, one thing to watch out for is how quickly shrimp cooks on the grill. Literally, 2 or 3 minutes on each side is all you need otherwise, they'll overcook and become tough. Keep a close eye on these grilled shrimp skewers, flip them when they begin to turn pink on one side and remove them when both sides are pink. It's really easy!
What else do I love about these Grilled Shrimp Skewers? Kids will eat them right up too! There is no heat in this recipe (other than the grill!) so little ones don't need to worry about them being spicy and can enjoy them right along with the grown-ups. Even our youngest, who is 7 and claims not to care for shrimp in other dishes, enjoys it when I make it this way.
Ingredients for Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Shrimp: You'll want to peel and devein the shrimp if they're not already, and also thaw them in the fridge overnight if they're frozen.
- Lemon juice: A burst of tangy citrus is delicious with seafood, particularly shrimp! I add lemon to the marinade, and also like to squeeze some extra lemon juice over the shrimp before eating them.
- Herbs: I used a mixture of fresh garlic, basil, and rosemary, with dried thyme, and oregano. They have an extremely refreshing flavor, that balances perfectly with the lemon and shrimp. I also chop and sprinkle fresh parsley and cilantro over the shrimp before serving just to give the shrimp skewers an extra fresh boost.
- Seasoning: Smoked paprika adds a little color and smokiness, salt and black pepper bring all flavors together.
- Butter: Right before serving, I brush melted butter over these grilled shrimp skewers. It takes the taste to a whole new level and makes the shrimp irresistible!
How to Make Lemon Herb Shrimp
- Make the marinade. Firstly, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, basil, rosemary, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add the shrimp and toss to coat, then cover and set in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
2. Cook! Next, preheat the grill to medium-high heat, then skewer the shrimp on sharp sticks. Grill over direct heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the shrimp have turned pink and are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook though or the shrimp will become tough and rubbery.
3. Garnish and serve. Finally, brush the grilled shrimp skewers with melted butter, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
How long does shrimp take to grill?
Shrimp only takes 2-3 minutes per side. You'll know that they are cooked when they turn pink. Take care not to overcook them as they turn tough and rubbery.
How do you grill shrimp without drying it out?
- Set a timer. As shrimp only takes 2 or 3 minutes to cook per side, I like to set a timer. 2 minutes feels like no time at all, especially if you have company over and are distracted!
- Watch the shrimp. When the shrimp becomes a pink color, it's time to flip them or remove them from the grill. Leaving them any longer can give them an unpleasant, rubbery texture.
- Coat with extra marinade while cooking. If you have extra marinade leftover, it's a great idea to brush it on the grilled shrimp skewers while they're cooking to help retain extra moisture. It also boosts the flavor!
More Shrimp Recipes You'll Love
- The Ultimate Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich
- Shrimp Étouffée
- Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Easy Honey Walnut Shrimp
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas in 30 Minutes
- Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp, Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
- One Pot Creole-Style Jambalaya
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 lb. shrimp peeled and deveined, thawed in the fridge overnight if frozen
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, basil, rosemary, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add the shrimp and toss to coat, then cover and set in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, then skewer the shrimp on sharp sticks. Grill over direct heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the shrimp have turned pink and are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook though or the shrimp will become tough and rubbery.
- Brush the grilled shrimp skewers with melted butter, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
Hey Amy, thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. I love shrimps and I can gobble up almost an insane amount. I am definitely trying this out around the weekend. Love!