Spiced Grilled Shrimp Skewers (Printable)

Juicy shrimp marinated in warm spices, grilled on skewers for a flavorful and vibrant dish.

# What You Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
12 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until well combined.
02 - Add shrimp to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 10–20 minutes to absorb flavors.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers, piercing through both tail and head ends for secure placement.
05 - Heat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot.
06 - Cook skewers for 2–3 minutes per side until shrimp turn opaque and develop light char marks.
07 - Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with fresh herbs, and accompany with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These shrimp cook in under ten minutes but taste like they've been marinating for hours thanks to the spice blend
  • The combination of smoked paprika and cumin creates this incredible depth that makes people think you're a grill master
  • They're perfect for feeding a crowd since everyone can grab their own skewer and customize with extra lemon
02 -
  • Over-marinating shrimp in citrus makes them mushy, so stick to the 20 minute maximum
  • Crowding the skewers prevents proper grilling, so leave breathing room between each shrimp
  • Shrimp continue cooking after they leave the grill, so remove them when they're just barely opaque throughout
03 -
  • Pat the shrimp dry before adding them to the marinade so the spices stick better
  • Preheat your skewers if you're using metal ones to help cook the shrimp from the inside out

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