Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp skewers for years, and lemme tell you – getting them just right at 350°F can be tricky. But don’t worry! I’m gonna share everything I’ve learned about making these tasty seafood treats perfect every single time.
The Quick Answer
For those who just want the basics – bake shrimp skewers at 350°F for 8-12 minutes, depending on shrimp size. But hold up! There’s more you should know to make them absolutely delicious.
Getting Your Shrimp Ready
Picking the Right Shrimp
- Go for medium to large shrimp (21-25 per pound is perfect)
- Fresh is best, but frozen works too (just thaw completely!)
- Make sure to pat them dry – nobody wants soggy shrimp!
Prep Work Matters
- If using wooden skewers, soak them for 30 mins (trust me, it prevents burning)
- Remove shells and devein (unless you like eating shrimp poop )
- Pat those little guys dry with paper towels
Cooking Times by Shrimp Size
Here’s a handy chart I’ve put together from my experience
| Shrimp Size | Baking Time at 350°F |
|---|---|
| Small | 5-6 minutes |
| Medium | 6-7 minutes |
| Large | 8-9 minutes |
| Jumbo | 9-10 minutes |
My Favorite Marinade Recipe
Before baking, I always marinate my shrimp. Here’s my go-to mix:
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- Juice of 1 lime
- Handful of chopped cilantro
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: honey for sweetness
Let them swim in this goodness for 30-60 mins (but not longer – the acid can make them mushy!)
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (seriously, wait until it’s fully heated)
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper
- Thread shrimp onto skewers (I usually do 5-6 per skewer)
- Place skewers on sheet with space between them
- Bake for recommended time based on size
- Flip halfway through for even cooking
How to Know They’re Done
Your shrimp are ready when:
- They’re pink and opaque
- Shaped like a loose “C” (if they’re super tight, they’re overcooked!)
- Internal temp hits 145°F
- The outside looks slightly caramelized
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t overcrowd the skewers – give those shrimps some personal space!
- Brush with melted butter halfway through for extra flavor
- If adding veggies, put them on separate skewers (they cook differently)
- Rotate the baking sheet if your oven has hot spots
Storage & Leftovers
Got extras? No problem!
- Store in airtight container
- Keep in fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat at 350°F for 5 mins
- Pro tip: I like eating leftovers cold in salads!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking (leads to rubber-band texture )
- Skipping the marinade time
- Not drying shrimp properly
- Using wet wooden skewers
- Cramming too many on one skewer
My Favorite Serving Suggestions
These bad boys go great with:
- Cilantro lime rice
- Grilled veggies
- Fresh mango salsa
- Garlic bread
- A squeeze of fresh lemon
Wrapping It Up
There ya have it – everything you need to know about baking shrimp skewers at 350°F! Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings. The key is keeping an eye on that cooking time and not letting those little crustaceans overcook.
Got questions? Drop ’em in the comments! I’d love to hear how your shrimp skewers turn out. Happy cooking!
Is soaking the skewers mandatory?
One thing I learned with kabobs is that typically if you use wooden skewers, you want to soak them really well in water. If you are using a Traeger and won’t be grilling over 400 degrees and not for super long periods of time, you can skip it.
If you’ll be grilling on high heat on a regular grill I’d definitely soak that.
I generally start soaking them in water for about 30 minutes before you fire up your grill. If you don’t, on a traditional grill that gets well above 500 degrees in many cases, when you put your screwers on the grill they can burn up and possibly catch on fire. If they are saturated with water, the wood will stay wet through the cooking process and will withstand the heat.
Buy uncooked shrimp and thaw well under cool water before skewering. If you have access to fresh-caught, never-frozen shrimp, well – I kind of hate your good fortune but use those and think of me while you do it.
For grilling, getting a larger shrimp like the jumbo or colossal size is my recommendation. Smaller shrimp will cook faster and have less of a margin for error. What you are usually left with is super over-cooked shrimp. Larger shrimp allows a more even cook, and within minutes your shrimp is ready to be served.
You can grill with or without shells on your shrimp. I prefer to peel the shrimp so that I can season it properly. I remove the shells and devein it, and then season with a dry rub or liquid marinade. Peeling the shrimp helps penetrate the meat better with the seasoning, so it is more flavorful.
If you are making a sauce though, save those shells and give them a quick saute in butter and use that in your sauce! You can also give them a slow simmer in a bit of water to grab some of that awesome seafood flavor from the shells in your sauce.
I’m a bit advocate for respecting the animals we are consuming by wasting as little as possible. Unless we are talking digestive tracts or some of the weirder organs. That’s where I peace out. Bizarre Foods contender, I am not. Plus, shellfish shells are filled with flavor! I NEED ALL THE FLAVOR.
How can you tell when the shrimp is done?
When grilling, if you have a grill that you can adjust the heat on you should aim for 375-400 degrees. Make sure the grill is preheated, and nice and hot.
Shrimp is meant to be cooked on high heat and quick. Put your shrimp on the grill and cook it for 3-5 minutes (depending on the size of shrimp). Turn the shrimp halfway through the cooking process. You want the outside of the shrimp to be a pretty pink color. The meat should look white and have an opaque look. If you overcook the shrimp, it will become tough and rubbery.
How to Make Juicy Shrimp Kabobs
FAQ
How long do shrimp take to cook at 350 degrees?
How Long Does Shrimp Take to Grill? At 350 degrees Fahrenheit, shrimp take 5 to 7 minutes total grilling time. That means about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
How long to cook shrimp skewer in the oven?
Bake the shrimp for approximately 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How long to grill shrimp on 350?
Preheat your grill to 350-450°F and set it up for direct cooking. Grill the shrimp over direct, medium heat for 5-7 minutes, turning the shrimp halfway through the process. The outside of the shrimp should turn a nice pink color when it is cooked while the meat inside should be white and opaque.
How long do I bake chicken skewers at 350 degrees?
- at 425 degrees: 15-16 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes to brown (*recommended)
- at 375 degrees: 20-25 minutes.
- at 350 degrees: 23-27 minutes.
How long do you cook shrimp skewers in the oven?
Place the assembled skewers in a single layer on your prepared wire rack. Pop them into the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, firm, and opaque. Keep an eye on them, as they cook fast, and we don’t want to dry them out! Once they’re done, remove the shrimp skewers from the oven and let them rest for a minute.
How long does it take to cook shrimp in the oven?
Depending on the size of the shrimp (and your oven, of course!) shrimp will be fully cooked in about 3-4 minutes when you cook them at 450°F. Do I have to soak my wooden skewers when cooking shrimp in the oven?
Can you freeze cooked shrimp skewers?
In the Refrigerator: Let the shrimp cool completely before storing. Remove from skewers and place in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes or reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through. In the Freezer: Cooked shrimp skewers can be frozen for up to 2 months.
How long does grilled shrimp take to cook?
In the terms of time, the grilled shrimp will cook faster than those in the oven. Grilled shrimp need around five minutes, while the baked shrimp need from 15 to 20 minutes. In both methods, your shrimp should be cooked in a single layer, without overlapping. This will ensure they are perfectly cooked. Preparation time: 30 minutes
How long do you marinate shrimp before baking?
Marinate the shrimp for at least 15 minutes before baking. Wrap it with a plastic wrap and set aside, for extra depth, you can marinate up to 2 hours in the fridge. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 15–20 minutes to prevent burning in the oven. Shrimp cooks fast, about 8–10 minutes at 425°F.
How to cook shrimp skewers in a crock pot?
1. In a large bowl, combine shrimp with vegetable oil, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, salt, and pepper. 2. Cover and marinate the shrimp for 30 minutes. 3. In the meantime, soak your bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. 4. Arrange pieces of pineapple, shrimp, lemon wedges, and pineapple on your skewers. 5.