Spicy Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Grilled shrimp skewers marinated in chilli, garlic and spices are delicious as an easy appetizer or a light dinner served with salad.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Shrimp / Prawns. I prefer to peel the shrimp to make sure the marinade as has much opportunity to flavor the meat but this is optional. Large shrimp/jumbo shrimp are ideal for skewers.
- Olive oil. Avocado oil is a good substitute.
- Fresh chillies. I used bird’s eye / Thai chillies but any fresh chilli you can find will be delicious. Red pepper flakes/chilli flakes can also be substituted but if you prefer to keep these heat-free, omit the chillies completely.
- Garlic. I used fresh garlic but garlic powder can also be used.
- Paprika. Other spices like onion powder, chili powder and dried herbs like oregano or thyme will also be delicious.
- Fresh lemon juice. Lime juice is a good substitute.
- Honey. This is optional but I like the slight sweetness it adds.
- Salt and black pepper.
How To Make Shrimp Skewers
- Make the marinade: Combine marinade ingredients in a blender/food processor and blend until smooth. Prepare the shrimp then pour over the marinade and allow to marinade for 10-20 minutes.
- Assemble the skewers: Skewer 3 shrimp onto a bamboo/wooden skewer, starting with the tail and pushing through the top to make sure they are secure on the skewers.
- How long to grill shrimp skewers: Preheat the grill on high for 5 minutes. Add the skewers and cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until the shrimp are caramelized and opaque. Remove from the grill and serve with lemon wedges.
Can I Make This Ahead?
The shrimp can be marinated in the fridge for up to 12 hours, but I would only add the lemon juice right before making the skewers to prevent the acid cooking the shrimp. Any leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a hot pan or in the microwave oven.
Serving Suggestions
We love shrimp skewers with rice and vegetables or a big salad or a simple, healthy meal. It’s also the ideal dish to serve as an appetizer.
Servings: 4
Calories: 180kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1-2 red chillies roughly chopped (remove the seeds if you want it less spicy)
- 3 garlic cloves peeled
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 500 g peeled and deveined shrimp / prawns
Instructions
- Soak bamboo or wooden skewers in boiling water for at least 30 minutes.
- Combine the oil, honey, soy sauce, lemon, chillies, garlic and salt in a blender or food processor (you can use an immersion blender too) and blend until smooth.
- Place the thawed shrimp in a bowl then pour over the marinade. Mix to make sure the prawns are covered then allow to marinade for 10-20 minutes.
- Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, pushing the skewer first through the tail and then through the thicker part to ensure they are secure on the skewers. Brush each skewers with marinade.
- Preheat the grill for 5 minutes on high heat. Alternatively, use a grill pan on the stovetop.
- Turn down to medium-high heat then add the skewers and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until the shrimp are caramelized and opaque.
- Remove from the grill and serve with lemon wedges and fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
Nutrition
Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 315mg | Sodium: 1805mg | Potassium: 119mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!