Erin Merhar is a professionally trained chef, food stylist, and recipe developer. When she is not coming up with the next great dish for ThePioneerWoman.com, you can find her at the farmers' market or making pizza for friends.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
The lemony, garlicky marinade adds great flavor!
Don't let burgers and hot dogs have all the fun! These grilled shrimp skewers deserve a place at your next backyard cookout. Marinated in a zippy lemon and garlic mixture, they're packed with flavor. Plus, they come together in a snap making them the perfect quick-fix meal fit for both busy weeknight dinners and summer entertaining. Just prep the shrimp, drop it into the marinade, skewer it, and grill it up! The shrimp can also be cooked inside on a grill pan or in a cast-iron skillet. Serve with a fresh and fruity spinach salad, or grilled corn and potato salad. Dinner is served!
Do you peel shrimp before grilling?
It's up to you! Some people think that leaving the shell on allows the shrimp to retain its moisture when cooking, while others believe it's difficult for a marinade to infuse the shrimp with flavor if the shell is on. We like to peel the shells before grilling to allow for a quicker, more impactful marinade, plus they're a little easier to eat this way. Just be sure to pull the skewers from the grill as soon as the shrimp are cooked so they don't dry out.
Do you need to devein shrimp?
This is based on personal preference. It is safe to eat the vein, but many prefer to cut a small slit along the back curve of the shrimp and remove it before grilling. Sometimes, the vein does contain some grit, which can have an unpleasant texture, but other times it's barely noticeable (and certainly saves some prep time to leave it in!)
Is soaking the skewers necessary?
Unless you want to risk the skewers catching fire and ruining the beautiful shrimp, it's best to give them a quick soak. Aim to soak the skewers for about 30 minutes before threading on the shrimp.
What's the best way to season shrimp?
Shrimp are delicate and have wonderful natural flavor. In many shrimp recipes, it's best to season them simply and lightly—like with our combination of citrus, garlic, and fresh herbs. You can also use a dried spice mix, like cajun seasoning, if you like things spicy, or brush them with honey or barbecue sauce for something a bit sweeter.
How long do you need to marinate shrimp?
Just 15 minutes is all you need for the garlicky, citrusy marinade to flavor this shrimp. Be sure not to marinate the shrimp for much longer; the acidic lemon juice can cause the it to become tough if it sits too long.
How long does it take shrimp to grill?
Shrimp are small and take very little time to cook. It all depends on the size of the shrimp that you use: Small to medium shrimp may only need 1 to 2 minutes per side, but large or jumbo shrimp may need 2 to 3 minutes per side. It's quick either way, so don’t walk away from the grill! You’ll know the shrimp are cooked when they firm up, curl into a loose "C” shape, and turn uniformly pink and opaque in color.
- Yields:
- 6 - 8 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 20 mins
- Total Time:
- 45 mins
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lb.
extra large shrimp
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3
garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 c.
olive oil
- 1 tsp.
kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp.
ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp.
crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sea salt, chopped parsley, and lemon wedges, for serving
Directions
- Step 1Peel the shells and tails from the shrimp and cut out the vein (if you like).
- Step 2Combine the lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper in a large bowl. Add the cleaned shrimp and toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Step 3If using wooden skewers, place 12 skewers (about 12 inches long) in a 9-inch by 13-inch dish filled with water. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Oil the grill grates well.
- Step 4Remove the shrimp from the marinade and thread 4 or 5 pieces on each skewer. Place the skewers in the grill pan or on the grill over direct heat. Cook until the shrimp is bright pink all over and opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the heat. Garnish with sea salt, parsley, and lemon wedges and serve immediately.
Tip: If you don't feel like threading the shrimp on skewers, you can also grill them loose in a grill basket (on an outdoor grill) or sear them indoors in a grill pan or cast-iron skillet.
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