Preparation time: 5 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Marinate: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Serves: 5
Nutrition
raw material
- 1 pound large shrimp
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch chili pepper, adjust according to spice preference
step
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Add the olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, garlic, and spices to a small bowl and stir to combine.
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Place shrimp in a bowl and pour 3/4 of marinade over shrimp. Gently mix together until shrimp are well coated.
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Cover the bowl and marinate the shrimp for 30 minutes to an hour.
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Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, making sure to remove all the good garlic and herbs from the bowl and layer over the shrimp.
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Heat a grill or griddle over medium-high heat.
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Once the grill is hot, place the shrimp skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are pink and opaque.
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Remove shrimp to a plate and spoon remaining marinade over them before serving.
Here are some other things to look out for in your freezer aisle
- Prawns. Since you're putting these on skewers, you want your shrimp to be big and juicy. To make sure you're buying the right freezer bag, pay attention to the number of shrimp per pound. Jumbo shrimp usually range from 16-20 shrimp per pound.
- Shell and tail. Frozen shrimp in the shell will have more flavor than peeled shrimp. They are also less processed. But I certainly understand the convenience of peeling and deveining shrimp, so grab those while you can.
- Wild shrimp. Check the source of your shrimp . Wild shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean is better than farmed shrimp from Southeast Asia. Wild shrimp will be free of antibiotics and injected hormones, and they will be better for the environment.
Just stir together the ingredients below – and you’re done
- Olive oil : Using olive oil will allow the flavor of the shrimp to blend in.
- Cilantro and Parsley : These two herbs add just the right amount of freshness. But feel free to switch it up and add basil, thyme or oregano.
- Garlic : I use four large cloves for flavor.
- Lemon Juice : A squeeze of fresh lemon will brighten everything up.
- Salt and Pepper : For perfectly seasoned shrimp.
- Cayenne Pepper : A little pinch adds spiciness, a hint of heat and a bit of color to the shrimp.
How to Grill Shrimp Just Right
First, make sure to thaw your shrimp in the refrigerator the night before. However, don't worry if you forget to do this. Simply soak the frozen shrimp in a colander in cold water for 5-10 minutes. When they are completely thawed, pat them dry with paper towels. So let’s start grilling!
- Marinate the shrimp. In a mixing bowl, toss the thawed shrimp with 80% of the marinade until they are completely coated.
- Timing is key. Let the marinated shrimp sit in the refrigerator in a covered bowl for about 30 minutes.
- String together. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers and brush some of the marinade over them.
- When it's grilling time, heat a grill or griddle over medium-high heat. Then place the kebabs on the grill and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side. They cook quickly, so keep an eye on them!
- drizzle. Transfer the skewers to a spot and drizzle the remaining marinade over them for extra garlicky flavor.
Best skewers
Wooden skewers and metal skewers both work well. But I prefer metal ones because they can be reused indefinitely and don't have to be soaked in water before use.
I also recommend buying flat kebabs instead of round ones. The flat shape prevents the shrimp from spinning around the skewer when flipped.
Grilled shrimp pairing
Vibrant veggies, fresh noodles, and more. Here are some ideas to add to your menu.
- Vibrant veggies: grilled corn on the cob, steamed broccoli, garlic herb roasted potatoes and green beans.
- Fresh side dishes: coleslaw, vinegar coleslaw or potato salad.
- Toss it into a salad with spinach, arugula, sliced avocado, red onion and asparagus.
- Wrap them in shrimp tacos and drizzle with a little lime cream.
- Make a rice bowl with cilantro-lime rice or broccoli rice, avocado, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Tips
- Adding the last bit of marinade at the end gives these grilled shrimp an even more garlicky flavor. If you don't like raw garlic and/or want the garlic flavor to be less strong, just use all of the marinade from step 2.
- You can use a variety of fresh herbs in this recipe, including parsley, cilantro, basil, thyme, and oregano (I don’t recommend rosemary). Feel free to swap out the herbs for whatever you like best.
- They are flat skewers that prevent the shrimp from spinning when flipped.
- This is the indoor grill pan I use on the stove.