Spiced Grilled Shrimp Skewers (Printable)
Tender shrimp marinated with spices and grilled to a citrusy finish with lemon zest.
# What You Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ 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
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
# How to Make It:
01 - Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes if using to prevent burning on the grill.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl 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 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 Suggestions:
01 -
- The spice blend creates this incredible crust that locks in all the shrimp natural juices
- Everything comes together in under 25 minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning it
02 -
- Over marinating makes shrimp tough, 15 minutes is really all you need for these flavors to penetrate
- Don't walk away from the grill, shrimp go from perfect to rubbery in literally seconds
03 -
- Pat the shrimp dry before marinating so the spices really cling to the surface
- Grill over direct heat but watch for flare ups from the olive oil