Hey there! I’ve been cooking shrimp skewers for years, and let me tell you – they’re one of my absolute favorite things to make. Whether you’re grilling outside or cooking indoors, I’m gonna share all my tips and tricks for making the most delicious shrimp skewers ever.
What You’ll Need
Before we dive in. let’s gather our ingredients and tools
Basic Equipment:
- Skewers (wooden or metal)
- Bowl for marinating
- Tongs
- Grill, grill pan, or skillet
For the Marinade:
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh lemon juice and zest
- 2-4 minced garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper
- Optional herbs (parsley, basil, or oregano)
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Shrimp Skewers
1. Picking the Right Shrimp
Here’s what I always look for:
- Large or jumbo shrimp (21-25 count per pound)
- Peeled and deveined
- Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp
- Similar sizes for even cooking
Pro tip: If you’re using frozen shrimp, thaw them in cold water for about 15-20 minutes. Trust me, it works better than letting them sit in the fridge all day!
2. Prepping Your Skewers
If you’re using wooden skewers (like I usually do), here’s what ya gotta do:
- Soak them in water for at least 30 minutes
- This prevents them from burning during cooking
- Plan on 4-5 shrimp per skewer
3. Making the Marinade
Here’s my go-to marinade recipe
2.5 tablespoons olive oil2.5 tablespoons lemon juice4 minced garlic cloves3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs1 tablespoon honey (optional)Salt and pepper to tasteMix it all together in a bowl – super simple!
4. Marinating the Shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels
- Toss them in the marinade
- Let them hang out for 15-30 minutes (no longer!)
Important: Don’t marinate longer than 30 minutes! The acid in the lemon juice will start “cooking” the shrimp if you leave them too long.
5. Threading the Shrimp
Here’s how I do it:
- Thread shrimp through top and bottom
- Leave small spaces between each shrimp
- About 5 shrimp per skewer
- Keep them evenly spaced
Cooking Methods
On the Grill
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat
- Oil the grates well
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side
- Remove when pink and opaque
In a Pan or Griddle
- Heat pan over medium-high heat
- Add a bit of oil
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side
- Don’t overcrowd the pan!
In the Air Fryer
- Set to 400°F
- Cook for 6-7 minutes
- Shake halfway through
How to Know When They’re Done
Your shrimp are ready when they:
- Turn pink all over
- Form a loose “C” shape
- Are opaque throughout
- Reach 145°F internal temp
Serving Ideas
I love serving these babies with:
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Extra chopped herbs
- Cocktail sauce or aioli
- Rice or quinoa
- Grilled veggies
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overcook! Seriously, this is like the #1 mistake people make
- Skip marinating too long
- Avoid overcrowding the skewers
- Don’t forget to oil your cooking surface
Storage Tips
If you’ve got leftovers (which rarely happens at my house!):
- Store in airtight container
- Keep in fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat gently to avoid rubber-like texture
- Can freeze for up to 2 months
Final Thoughts
Shrimp skewers are seriously one of the easiest things you can make, and they always impress guests! Just remember: don’t overcook them, keep an eye on your marinade time, and you’ll be golden.
They’re perfect for everything from casual BBQs to fancy dinner parties. Plus, they’re pretty healthy too – high in protein and naturally gluten-free.
Have fun with different marinades and serving ideas. Once you’ve got the basic technique down, you can get creative with flavors. I’d love to hear how yours turn out!
Remember, practice makes perfect, and even if they’re not Instagram-worthy the first time, they’ll probably still taste amazing. Happy cooking!
Expert Tip! How to Know It’s Cooked Through
It’s important to ensure the shrimp is fully cooked through. Shrimp start out being U-shaped before being cooked. As they grill, they should start resembling a C-shape. The outside of the shrimp should turn a nice pink color, and the meat inside should be white and opaque.
If your shrimp starts to be O-shaped, that’s a big indicator it’s overcooked and may turn out rubbery.
Time to Fire Up the Grill
It’s time to start the grilling process! Here’s my tested method to BBQ shrimp on the grill (or you can go ahead and jump to the full recipe):
Step 1: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375-450°F).
Step 2: Place fresh or thawed shrimp in a mixing bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and season with oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt.
Step 3: Place the shrimp directly on a grill for 1-2 minutes per side until they’re bright pink and cooked through. Timing will depend on the exact temperature, whether you’re cooking with the shell on, and how big the shrimp are – just make sure to keep the lid open!
Step 4: Remove shrimp from the grill and serve with a few squirts from fresh lemon wedges, to taste.
Super Quick Video Tips: The Best Way to Grill Shrimp
FAQ
Should you cook shrimp in oil or butter?
Do you marinate shrimp for kabobs?
Yes, marinating shrimp for kabobs is a common practice that helps to enhance their flavor and keep them juicy during grilling.
What should I put on shrimp before grilling?
Treating the shrimp with salt and baking soda helps them stay plump and juicy and brown more efficiently as they grill. Drying the shrimp out in the refrigerator gives them a jump-start on browning. Squeezing the shrimp together on a skewer gives them less surface area, which helps them stay juicier as they cook.
How do you cook grilled shrimp skewers?
Here are our best tips for grilled shrimp skewers: Use wooden skewers. On metal skewers, the shrimp can tend to spin on them which makes them hard to flip. With wooden skewers, the shrimp stays solidly in place. You’ll need to soak the skewers about 20 minutes so they don’t burn on the grill. Thread the shrimp on and make them just touch.
How do you cook a fried shrimp skewer?
Avoid shrimp with dark spots or an unpleasant odor. Use wooden or metal skewers for your shrimp. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, leaving a small space between each one for even cooking.
How long do you cook shrimp skewers?
Place skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking to maintain juiciness. Internal temperature should reach 120°F for perfectly cooked shrimp. Allow skewers to rest for 2 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Can you cook shrimp on metal skewers?
On metal skewers, the shrimp can tend to spin on them which makes them hard to flip. With wooden skewers, the shrimp stays solidly in place. You’ll need to soak the skewers about 20 minutes so they don’t burn on the grill. Thread the shrimp on and make them just touch. This also helps to minimize spinning and keep the shrimp in place.
What to do with shrimp skewers after grilling?
After grilling, brush the shrimp skewers with a flavorful sauce or glaze. Popular options include lemon-herb butter, garlic-tahini sauce, or a sweet and spicy pineapple salsa. You can also garnish the skewers with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, or grilled pineapple. Serve the grilled shrimp skewers immediately with your favorite sides.
How do I choose the best shrimp skewers?
The foundation of great shrimp skewers lies in choosing the right shrimp. Opt for large, fresh shrimp with a vibrant pink or orange tint. Avoid shrimp with dark spots or an unpleasant odor. Use wooden or metal skewers for your shrimp. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.