I love making shrimp skewers because they are simple and full of flavor, perfect for a quick meal or a fun cookout. This recipe always reminds me of warm evenings spent outside with friends and family. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy those juicy, tasty bites as much as I do.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are probably already in your kitchen, like olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. If you don’t usually buy shrimp, look for peeled and deveined shrimp at the supermarket—they’re ready to cook and save a lot of time. Fresh lemon juice is best, but bottled lemon juice works fine too if you don’t have fresh lemons on hand.

Ingredients for Shrimp Skewers Recipe
Shrimp: peeled and deveined shrimp are easy to cook and soak up flavors well
Olive oil: adds moisture and helps the spices stick to the shrimp
Garlic: minced garlic gives a fresh, savory taste
Paprika: adds a mild smoky flavor and nice color
Salt: enhances all the other flavors
Black pepper: adds a little bit of heat and depth
Lemon juice: fresh lemon juice brightens the dish with a tangy kick
Technique Tip for This Recipe
Grilling shrimp skewers is all about getting the timing and heat just right so your shrimp turn out juicy and flavorful. One key trick is how to thread the shrimp onto the skewers so they cook evenly and don’t fall apart.
Here’s a simple way to do it:
- Hold the skewer steady in one hand.
- Take a peeled and deveined shrimp and insert the skewer through the thickest part of the shrimp, usually near the tail.
- Slide the shrimp down the skewer until it rests snugly against the previous one, but don’t pack them too tightly. Leave a little space so heat can reach all sides.
- Repeat until you have about 5-6 shrimp on each skewer.
Doing this helps the shrimp cook evenly because the heat can circulate around each piece. If they’re too close, the middle ones might stay undercooked, and if they’re too loose, they might fall off when you flip the skewers. Also, threading them through the thick part keeps the shrimp from twisting or curling too much while grilling.
When I first tried this, I didn’t leave enough space between the shrimp, and some of them stuck together or didn’t cook right. Now, I always make sure to give them a little breathing room. Plus, using metal or soaked wooden skewers helps prevent burning and makes flipping easier.
Once you get the hang of threading, grilling your shrimp skewers becomes way more fun and the results taste even better!
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
shrimp - Substitute with scallops: Scallops have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a great alternative for skewers.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it suitable for grilling.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the other ingredients well.
paprika - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit more heat but can provide a similar depth of flavor.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor, which can enhance the taste of the skewers.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different flavor profile but can still provide the necessary heat.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good alternative.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How To Store / Freeze Your Skewers
- Allow the shrimp skewers to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the shrimp soggy.
- Place the cooled shrimp skewers in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freezing is recommended.
- To freeze, arrange the shrimp skewers in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking together.
- Once frozen solid, transfer the shrimp skewers to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label with the date for easy tracking.
- For best quality, use frozen shrimp skewers within 2 months. Beyond this, they may lose flavor and texture.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the shrimp skewers in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
- Reheat the shrimp skewers on a grill or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. Avoid overcooking to maintain their juicy texture.
- Serve with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice or a side of garlic butter for added flavor.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the shrimp skewers on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Cover the skewers with another piece of foil to prevent them from drying out.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the shrimp are warmed through.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
- Place the shrimp skewers in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp are heated through.
Microwave Method:
- Place the shrimp skewers on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a damp paper towel to keep the shrimp moist.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
Grill Method:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Place the shrimp skewers back on the grill.
- Grill for about 1-2 minutes on each side, just until the shrimp are warmed through.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the shrimp skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Heat for about 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Grill: Used to cook the shrimp skewers, providing a smoky flavor and char marks.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice with the shrimp.
Skewers: Used to thread the shrimp for grilling, making them easier to handle and cook evenly.
Tongs: Used to turn the shrimp skewers on the grill, ensuring they cook evenly on all sides.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice accurately.
Garlic press: Used to mince the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.
Cutting board: Used as a surface to prepare and mince the garlic cloves.
Knife: Used to mince the garlic cloves and any other necessary prep work.
Serving platter: Used to serve the shrimp skewers once they are cooked and ready to eat.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients ahead: Marinate the shrimp in the olive oil mixture the night before to save time on the day of grilling.
Use pre-minced garlic: Opt for store-bought minced garlic to cut down on prep time.
Preheat the grill: Start preheating the grill while you thread the shrimp onto skewers to streamline the process.
Use metal skewers: Metal skewers don't need soaking like wooden ones, saving you an extra step.
Batch cooking: Grill extra shrimp skewers and store them for quick meals throughout the week.

Shrimp Skewers Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice.
- 3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- 4. Thread the shrimp onto skewers.
- 5. Grill the shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes on each side or until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- 6. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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