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A top down shot of seared shrimp skewers on a white platter with cocktail sauce.
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5 from 3 votes

Shrimp Skewers (Grill or Stovetop)

These Shrimp Skewers can be prepared on an outdoor grill or on the stove for a savory, delicious appetizer. After a quick dip in a flavor-packed marinade, they are seared and ready to serve in minutes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 skewers
Calories: 126kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 large tail-on shrimp deveined and patted dry (see notes below)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 limes zested and juiced
  • 4 large garlic cloves crushed or minced
  • ¾ packed cilantro with stems minced
  • 1 recipe Cocktail Sauce or your favorite brand
  • 1 tablespoon cotija cheese crumbled (can substitute Parmesan cheese)

Instructions

  • Season the shrimp with salt and set it aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, black pepper, 2 teaspoons of the lime juice, the lime zest, garlic, and cilantro. Whisk to combine, set aside about 3 tablespoons of the marinade, then add the shrimp and toss to coat. To thread the shrimp on to the skewers, pierce through the top and the tail for two points of contact, as this makes flipping the shrimp easier.

Grilling Instructions

  • Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before assembling the skewers if you're cooking the shrimp over an open flame. This helps to prevent the tips of the skewers from burning.
  • Over a MEDIUM-HIGH heat flame, cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade as they cook. Be careful not to overcook, and remember they will continue to cook a bit further off the heat. Remove from the grill and plate along with a bowl of cocktail sauce. Garnish with a squeeze of lime juice and sprinkle of cotija cheese. Serve warm.

Stovetop Instructions

  • Place a cast iron skillet or grill pan over MEDIUM-HIGH heat. When hot, add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade as they cook. Plate and serve as directed above.

Notes

Nutrition information was calculated for 1 skewer with 1 tablespoon cocktail sauce.
Shrimp Size
Two jumbo shrimp (21 to 25 count) will fit comfortably on a 6-inch skewer. If you'd like to do 3 shrimp per skewer, go with extra large (26 to 30 count) shrimp.
If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely in the refrigerator before marinating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewer | Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 172IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 0.4mg