Sweet, tender shrimp take just minutes to make on the grill. That's what I'm talking about! How to grill Shrimp Skewers for a quick and easy weeknight meal! This meal couldn't get any easier or any more delicious!
Let me show you some quick shortcuts and you'll be making grilled shrimp kabobs for dinner tonight!
If you enjoy this recipe, be sure to try Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs next, they are amazing!
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Why you'll love this recipe
One of the reasons I love shrimp is because it's such an easy weeknight meal and tastes just delicious! I have several great shrimp recipes on the blog - Garlic Parmesan Roasted Shrimp and Garlic Shrimp, and Cajun Baked Shrimp - YUM!
Yup, shrimp is a fav here at our house and my favorite dunkers for shrimp is this easy Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe or Alabama White Sauce - both are fantastic with seafood!
When I'm grilling just about any protein, I try to keep it simple. Olive oil and seasoning, perhaps some sauce at the end. You can use a gas or charcoal grill - your choice!
Ingredients for shrimp kabobs
For the exact ingredients and measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- peeled, deveined shrimp
- olive oil
- grill seasoning
- fresh lemon
- non-stick coating
How to grill shrimp
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
Grilling the shrimp kabobs recipe takes only 2-3 minutes per side, depending on the size of the shrimp!
- Preheat the grill.
- Peel and devein shrimp.
- Rinse the raw shrimp in cold water, pat dry with paper towels and thread shrimp onto skewers.
- Brush the shrimp with olive oil.
- Season shrimp.
- Shrimp cook quickly and will only need to 2-3 minutes total, turning once during grilling.
- Serve with a fresh lemon wedge on the side, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Equipment
- Bamboo skewers are inexpensive and a great option. Just be sure to soak them before use.
- Flat reusable metal skewers are a terrific choice. Because they are flat, the meat doesn't twirl or fall through the cooking grates and they are easier to flip!
- Grill baskets are great because they are terrific for seafood or vegetables! When you use a grill pan the shrimp won't fall through the grill grates.
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FAQ's
One of the biggest mistake people make with shrimp is overcooking it. When properly the tails of the shrimp will be pink and the flesh just slightly white. Overcooked the flesh will be bright white and the shrimp will be rubbery.
Cooked shrimp will curl into a little C shape.
I think it's easier to enjoy this meal when the shells are removed, but it's purely personal preference.
No, shrimp should not be chewy. It's easy to overcook shrimp. It just takes minutes per side. Shrimp shouldn't be chewy or dry. They should taste sweet, flavorful and moist.
Use plenty of seasoning! Don't skimp, it adds so much flavor. And baste the shrimp with butter.....mmmmm!!!
If you don't want to use wooden skewers to grill shrimp you have a couple of options. Purchase jumbo shrimp so they don't fall through the grill. Or use a grill basket - those work terrific!
Keep it simple with lemon zest, black pepper and a sprinkling of kosher salt.
Top Tip
Flat (rather than round) bamboo skewers are best because the meat won't twirl when you try to flip it. If you're using round skewers, double-skewer the shrimp.
Deb's tips
- Thaw the shrimp. Peel and devein the shrimp before grilling.
- Shrimp size matters. Buy the largest shrimp that meets your budget. The little ones cook quickly and are easy to overcook. No one likes rubbery shrimp!
- Often frozen bags of jumbo shrimp go on sale and are quite inexpensive. Watch for the sale!
- Unless you live on the coast, nearly all shrimp have been frozen. There's nothing wrong with frozen shrimp!
- Always soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes to avoid the wood from burning while grilling.
- Metal skewers work great as well and don't need soaking!
Whether you use a gas grill or a charcoal, grilling shrimp kebabs are easy! A perfect meal, great for appetizers and delicious over a salad - seriously you can't go wrong!
Tips for purchasing fresh shrimp
- Buy fresh shrimp on the day you're going to use it.
- Seafood should smell like the ocean - not fishy or spoiled.
- Rinse and pat dry before putting on the grill.
Variations
- Add veggies to your skewers. Quick cooking veggies are perfect like asparagus, slices of zucchini, yellow squash, red or yellow onions. Peppers and tomatoes are also delicious grilled.
- BBQ Sauce is delicious - or give your shrimp kabobs a Mexican flair by sprinkling with taco or fajitas seasoning or using a shrimp marinade (this teriyaki recipe is AMAZING!).
- This plum bbq sauce is perfect with shrimp as well.
- Serve with garlic butter for dipping.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a pop of heat.
Related recipes
- Shrimp Scampi Linguine Recipe - only minutes to make, this easy recipe is delicious!
- No breading or deep frying! Take a short cut and make Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp using frozen shrimp!
- This Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe is the best, most tender chicken marinade in a delicious easy-to-make sauce. Or if you'd prefer ribs, learn how to grill ribs here!
- Beef Shish Kabobs Recipe - these are the BEST beef kabobs.
- Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl - loaded with rice, mango and a spicy sauce, it's so easy to make!
- Grilled Shrimp Nicoise Salad Recipe - this is a salad that is a meal - delicious!
- So flavorful and easy to make, this is a quick Spicy Thai Noodle Soup with Shrimp, just like your favorite restaurant.
- Another super easy, family favorite is this Grilled Shrimp Tacos Recipe - a delicious dinner ready in just 15 minutes? Oh yes!
Serving suggestions
Here are some of my favorite sides the enjoy with this meal.
- Make a batch of Shrimp Cocktail Sauce. It makes a terrific dipper!
- Asparagus are easy to make and go so well with the grilled shrimp. Learn all the tips for how to grill asparagus here!
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad - creamy and tangy, this is a family favorite!
- Slow Cooker Baked Beans - packed with great flavor, baked beans go with any meal!
- Easy Strawberry Shortcake would be perfect for dessert!
What do you think? Fire up that grill and make some kabobs. Leave me a comment below and let me know how they turned out!
How to Grill Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb. shrimp
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon grill seasoning
- non-stick coating for grill
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to 350 degrees.
- Rinse the shrimp, pat dry and thread onto bamboo skewers.
- Prepare the shrimp skewers by brushing lightly with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the shrimp with seasoning.
- Grilled the skewers 2-3 minutes total, turning once during grilling.
- Serve with wedges of fresh lemon on the side, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
Cooked shrimp will curl into a C shape.
Amy Nash says
I happened to have this Lake Shore seasoning mix as well! It's so good but I hadn't tried it on shrimp yet. But man oh man it was delicious! Thanks for the helpful tips about grilling shrimp! It's so easy!
Bowl Me Over says
Isn't it just the BEST! I love it too, I'm so glad you're enjoying it Amy!
michele says
Shrimp is one of our go to grilling recipes! This sounds so flavorful and I look forward to trying it!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful, I know you'll love it Michele!
Michaela Kenkel says
I love shrimp just about any way --but grilled is by far my FAVORITE!! Love when it gets that little bit of char on them!! So yummy!!
Bowl Me Over says
Definitely - easy and good!! Enjoy Michaela!!
Sandra Shaffer says
Now I'm going to have to pay close attention to see if my grocery store carries skewered shrimp! Love this for a quick mid-week meal. We grill a lot during the summer months.
Bowl Me Over says
Good luck, I hope they carry them Sandra!!
Jennifer A Stewart says
I'm with you and buying the ones already on the skewer! I am forever losing my package of skewers at home and by the time I get them, the shrimp, and all the time it takes to assemble them, I am on the losing end of that!
Bowl Me Over says
Exactly, right? Getting dinner on the table can be daunting enough and at a buck a piece, these are just perfect!
Angela says
So simple! What a great weeknight dish! I think I’ll serve them over some lemon couscous ?
Bowl Me Over says
THAT sounds delicious - great combination Angela!
Julie says
We love shrimp especially grilled. All of that spice flavor would make them delicious as a meal or appetizer!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Julie, I hope you give this recipe a try!
debi at Life Currents says
I love grilled shrimp! Such an easy and delicious dinner. And these herbs look like a fabulous addition to the shrimp.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much!!!
Angela Paris says
You seriously know your way around a grill! These look incredible and I'm not really big on seafood usually 🙂
Pinning!
Bowl Me Over says
Yay!! That makes my day, I hope you really enjoy this recipe!