These grilled shrimp skewers are shrimp marinated in garlic, lemon and herbs, then threaded onto sticks and cooked to perfection. Shrimp kabobs can be on your table in just 20 minutes, which makes them perfect for a busy night!
Shrimp skewers are a simple yet satisfying dinner option. While I especially love these shrimp kabobs on the grill, they also can be broiled in the oven.
I am all about grilling right now, and my family can’t get enough of these easy grilled shrimp skewers.The shrimp are marinated, then threaded onto sticks and seared to perfection. Add a little lemon and herbs on top and you’ve got the ultimate speedy dinner.
How do you grill shrimp?
The best way to grill shrimp are to marinate them in olive oil, herbs, garlic and lemon, then skewer and cook. Shrimp are best grilled on skewers; if you try to grill them without a skewer, you run the risk of these little guys falling through the grates of the grill when you go to turn them.
This shrimp marinade starts with olive oil and lemon juice. I add an additional layer of flavor with plenty of dried herbs (I use an Italian seasoning blend), along with fresh minced garlic. I like simplicity here, but if you want to jazz up your marinade even more, you can add lemon zest, a splash of white white, soy sauce, or a squeeze of honey.
How long do you grill shrimp on skewers?
Shrimp cook very quickly, so it’s imperative to watch your shrimp to make sure they don’t overcook. Shrimp typically take about 2-3 minutes per side on the grill. You’ll be able to tell when the shrimp are done because they’ll turn pink and opaque.
You can use an outdoor grill, grill pan, or broiler to make these shrimp skewers. I typically use my outdoor grill, but when the weather isn’t nice or I don’t feel like firing up the grill, I cook the shrimp on the stove top in my favorite grill pan.
I use the largest shrimp I can find for this recipe. Shrimp are labeled based on their size count, or the number of shrimp you get per pound. These shrimp are the jumbo size shrimp, which are 16-20 per pound. You can go smaller if need be and the recipe will still be delicious.
Whenever I post shrimp recipes, I always get asked if the shrimp tails should be left on or removed. I typically keep the tails on when I’m looking for a nicer presentation. It’s really a matter of personal preference whether you leave the tails on or remove them before grilling.
I typically serve my grilled shrimp skewers over rice with a colorful veggie or salad on the side for a complete meal that my whole family devours!
More grilling recipes
- Grilled Chicken Tenders
- Grilled Asparagus in Foil
- Lemon Sriracha Shrimp
- Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
- Pork and Pineapple Kabobs
Grilled Shrimp Video
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined (you can either leave tails on or remove them)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Place the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic in a resealable plastic bag. Seal and shake to combine.
- Add the shrimp to the bag and seal. Toss to coat evenly with the marinade.
- Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours. You don't want to marinate for longer than that, as the acid in the lemon juice will start to cook the shrimp.
- Thread the shrimp onto skewers. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat.
- Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Broiler directions: Preheat the broiler. Place the shrimp skewers on a sheet pan coated with cooking spray. Broil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Annie says
Cooking this tonight! Do you normally peel and devein the shrimp before marinating and grilling? And just leave the tails on?
Sara says
Yes you would peel and devein first!
Kim says
This recipe is amazing! We’ve made it a zillion times already. We grill them and also sauté them in a pan. My parents started making this because they loved it so much when we made it for them. Such an easy recipe to throw together! Thank you!
Allen says
I did it many times already and it is a hit!!! So easy and so tasty. I didn’t use the Italian seasoning because I don’t know what it is and couldn’t find it anywhere. So what is it actually and can i make it myself?
Sara says
It’s in the spice aisle of most grocery stores, it’s a mixture of dried herbs such as basil, parsley, oregano and thyme.
Patti says
If you are not able to grill, can you bake this shrimp in the oven? If so, what temperature and for how long? Thank you!
Sara says
You can broil them on high for 3-4 minutes per side or until shrimp is pink and opaque.
LzaMnzo says
Can I marinate overnight IF I leave the lemon out (to be added shortly before cooking)?
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
Ryan says
Made these shrimp skewers last night and they were a hit! I wish I would have made more because they were so good. I do suggest a few things:
Marinate for the full 2 hours!
Soak your skewers in water before threading the shrimp on – helps them burn less on the grill
Use 2 skewers for each set of shrimp – makes it easier to turn them and take them off the grill
The flavors were perfect and I wouldn’t change anything in the recipe!
Kacy says
Thanks for the tips Ryan!
Linda says
Tasty easy recipe that came out so yummy! I served them chilled
Denise says
How long using pan method?
Leslie says
This was a very simple recipe ( may I add that I do not do the cooking at home or ever for that matter) so I thought I would give it a try and surprise my boyfriend.
I have fresh parsley from the garden, fresh garlic which I minced myself. Also, an Italian seasoning blend, that we made from garden herbs last year.
* my kitchen smells amazing btw *
End result: TO DIE FOR !!!!!!!
I’m so impressed with how easy this marinade was and how very GOOD you make me look for making it. THANK YOU SO MUCH ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amanda says
Very good! Definitely will make again!
Dana Moyer says
This shrimp skewer recipe is awesome and very easy with great flavors. I have made it twice for my daughter and I on top of a wedge salad. Will keep this recipe
Liz says
Made this today from the recipe exactly as written.
Used grilling butterfly shrimp and
It was very good and definitely will make it again.
Served with our garden fresh green beans and rice pilaf.
Dionne says
This was so great! We made it 2 nights in a row.
Megan says
This was easy to prepare and very tasty. Added some tomatoes and onions on a separate skewer with the same marinade.
Will be making it again!
Thank you!!!
Patty says
should the shrimp be frozen or thawed? it does not say.
Sara says
The shrimp should be thawed!
Sylvia says
A spontaneous new recipe turned into a family favorite. I added onion wedges on the skewer and it was amazing. Served over couscous with roasted asparagus, brussel sprouts and grean beans. Pinning this one!!! Thank you.
Stacey says
This is delicious! Thank you
Ali says
What temperature is the grill at when these are cooked?
Sara says
It should be around 450 degrees F.
Jean forlano says
Amazingly simple and delicious
Cassanova35 says
I googled grilled shrimp recipes and this one popped up having 5 stars with 45 reviews. So I thought I would try this recipe because of the high rating and high number of comments compared to other recipes. I AM SO GLAD I DID. My boyfriend and I love it, and I feel extra good because I am whipping up something that tastes good for him. It’s minimal effort, quick and easy, and the marinate again, tastes really good. Now here I am, having found this recipe 2 weeks ago and already made grilled shrimp {using this recipe} 4 times, writing this review because of how thankful we are we found it… and we are making grilled shrimp tonight! 😉
Michael says
can you use cooked shrimp, or does it have to be raw shrimp?
Sara says
Raw shrimp is really best as cooked shrimp will be more likely to get tough. If you need to use cooked shrimp grill them for as little time as possible just to warm them through.
Jessica says
I used cook shrimp and it was amazing!