Spiced Grilled Shrimp Skewers (Printable Version)

Juicy shrimp infused with spices, grilled and brightened with fresh lemon for a flavorful dish.

# What You Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off as preferred

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
07 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 tsp lemon zest

→ To Serve

12 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
13 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes if using, to prevent burning on the grill.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined.
03 - Add shrimp to the marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, and let marinate for 10–15 minutes at room temperature.
04 - Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing through both the head and tail ends to form a C shape for even cooking.
05 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
06 - Grill shrimp skewers for 2–3 minutes per side, or until shrimp are opaque and lightly charred.
07 - Remove from grill, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The marinade comes together in under five minutes but tastes like you've been working on it for hours
  • These shrimp cook so fast that you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes even with prep time
02 -
  • Don't marinate the shrimp for longer than 15 minutes or the acid will start to break down the texture
  • Shrimp cook incredibly fast, and there's nothing worse than rubbery overcooked shrimp, so watch them closely
03 -
  • Pat the shrimp dry before adding them to the marinade so the spices stick better
  • Preheat your grill properly and oil the grates to prevent sticking

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