These Grilled Shrimp Skewers are packed with lemon garlic flavor, require no marinating and are ready in just 15 minutes from now!

Love shrimp? Check out my bang bang shrimp, bang bang shrimp tacos and shrimp ceviche.

Grilled shrimp skewers garnished with parsley.

Why You Will Love This Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe

  • There is 0 marinating time needed for these flavorful grilled shrimp skewers.
  • The grilled shrimp marinade with garlic, lemon, and oregano is super versatile!
  • Shrimp skewers recipe takes just 5-6 minutes to grill to perfection and 15 minutes total from start to finish!
  • Can also be cooked on the stovetop or broiled in the oven for year-round shrimp recipe!
  • Use affordable medium shrimp for a dinner that doesn’t break the bank!

Ingredients for Grilled Shrimp Skewers

For this grilled shrimp skewers recipe you will need just 7 simple ingredients.

Frozen shrimp, olive oil ,dried oregano, lemon, garlic, salt and pepper.
  • Shrimp: I use medium shrimp, around 21-25 count per pound. To save time, buy de-veined and peeled, fresh or frozen shrimp. Larger or smaller shrimp is OK too.
  • Grilled shrimp marinade: I use a simple combination of olive oil, garlic, fresh lemon juice (lime juice will also work), dried oregano, salt and pepper.

How to Grill Shrimp Skewers

Here is a quick overview how to grill shrimp skewers. They are super easy to make! Just thread the shrimp, brush with marinade, do the quick flip-flop on the grill, and your grilled shrimp is ready in 15 minutes!

Grilled shrimp skewer marinade and threaded raw shrimp on skewers in a dish.

Prepare the skewers: First, pre-soak your wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes. Otherwise, you can use reusable metal skewers and no soaking is necessary then. I prefer flat metal skewers, which keep the shrimp from rotating too.

Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, add olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, pepper and whisk.

Prepare the shrimp: Thread around 5-7 shrimps per skewer. I like to do this right through the center twice to keep them securely in place. Then brush each side with the marinade.

Pressing grilled shrimp skewer with metal spatula on the grill.

Grill shrimp skewers: Place shrimp skewers on the grill, cover and grill for 2-3 minutes. Then flip the skewers with spatula, cover and grill for 2 more minutes or until they are pink and no longer transparent

If you want the charred skewer marks, then you can press on shrimp skewers with a spatula. Do this at the end of the grilling but be careful not to overcook the shrimp.

Recipe Tip

Optionally save about 1/4th of the marinade to drizzle on grilled shrimp skewers when serving. Just be sure to do so before the brush touches the raw shrimp and goes back into the bowl with marinade. Then marinade is not safe to eat uncooked.

How Long to Grill Shrimp?

How long to grill shrimp skewers will depend on the size of the shrimp and the grill you use. On regular grill or charcoal grill, for this medium size shrimp, 2-3 minutes per side is more than enough! As soon as the grey color is gone, the shrimp flesh is pink with no brown or grey spots, it is ready!

If making grilled shrimp skewers on a grill pan, cook for 3 to 4 minutes per each side.

The shape of the shrimp also helps. When cooked to perfection, shrimps form a loose ‘C’ curved shape. However, overcooked shrimp will often curl up into a tighter ‘C’. If you see this, they’re probably tough.

Tips for Best Results

I’m going to take you through all my tips and tricks for how to get perfectly grilled shrimp skewers every single time.

  • Be careful not to overcook the shrimp: Depending on the shrimp’s size, the cooking time for the shrimp will vary.
  • If you don’t have skewers: Grill shrimp in a well-oiled grilling basket or use a silicone grill mat.
  • The larger the shrimp, the easier it is to grill without overcooking. However, they also go up in price.
  • If you would like to marinate the shrimp: You can alternatively add the shrimp and marinade to a large airtight bag and shake to thoroughly coat. Allow them to sit in the marinade while the grill preheats. Then brush the leftover marinade when flipping the shrimp skewers over. You can also marinate the shrimp for 30-60 minutes, but I find it unnecessary when brushing them with the flavor twice while grilling.
  • To devein the shrimp: To remove the vein, use a sharp knife to make a shallow cut down the center of the prawn where the vein is and use the tip of the knife to gently pull it up and remove from the shrimp.
  • To broil shrimp skewers: Preheat the broiler and place the shrimp skewers on an oiled baking tray. Broil for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are no longer grey, flip and broil 2-3 minutes extra. The power of your broiler may mean you have to adjust the cooking times.
  • To cook shrimp skewers in a grill pan: Preheat cast iron grill pan over medium heat with a bit of oil. Then add as many shrimp skewers as you can, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side.

Variations

Variations for this grilled shrimp skewers recipe are endless! Here are my top suggestions.

  • Italian seasoning: Swap out the dried oregano for a mixed herb seasoning like Italian seasoning.
  • Fresh herbs: There is a selection of herbs that pair well with shrimp including fresh cilantro, basil, parsley, lemon thyme or mint. Add 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped herbs to the marinade.
  • Paprika: Smoked paprika helps add extra smoky depth to the charred grilled shrimp flavor.
  • Lemon: Add lemon zest to the shrimp marinade. You could also throw some lemon slices onto the grill to serve up alongside the shrimp.
  • Honey: A little bit of honey added to the marinade will caramelize on the grill and add a subtle sweetness to the grilled shrimp that’s delicious.
  • For heat: A pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes is a great way to add a pop of heat to the grilled shrimp skewers. You could also use Cajun seasoning.
  • Sweet chili: Swap out the marinade entirely for a Thai sweet chili sauce.
  • Add vegetables: It’s possible to add extra veggies to your grilled shrimp skewers but choose carefully. Due to their short cooking time, you need to choose veggies that cook as quickly or are tasty when par-cooked like tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers served with cauliflower potato salad on a plate

You can enjoy these grilled shrimp skewers warm or cold with a tons of meals. Here are just a few of my favorite suggestions:

How to Store and Make Ahead

Make ahead: You can leave the shrimp to marinate for up to a couple of hours before grilling or prepare the marinade for up to a day in advance to cut down further on prep time.  

Store: Allow the grilled shrimp skewers to cool down, then remove shrimp from the skewers into an airtight container and refrigerate for between 2-3 days. Cooked shrimp skewers taste fantastic cold!

Freeze: Cool the grilled shrimp before transferring to a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Try to do this within a couple of hours of cooking them to prevent bacteria growth.

FAQs

Should you peel shrimp for skewers?

Yes. I like to peel the shrimp for this grilled shrimp skewers recipe. This way you don’t lose the flavor when you remove the shells after grilling. Plus they’re easier to eat without the peels. 

Do you have to flip shrimp when grilling?

Yes. You have to flip grilled shrimp only once.

Do you grill shrimp skewers covered or uncovered?

Cook grilled shrimp skewers with the grill covered. Open the barbecue only for flipping the shrimp.

Can I use frozen shrimp for grilled shrimp skewers?

You can use frozen shrimp for grilling. that’s what I do. Just be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight. Or place frozen shrimp in a Ziplock bag in a bowl with cold water and let it thaw for 10-20 minutes. Squeeze well.

Can I use cooked shrimp for grilled shrimp skewers?

Yes, you can use cooked shrimp but it’s harder to make sure they don’t overcook. The key is to grill just enough to heat them up and no more. This will usually take between 1-2 minutes in total.

What is the secret to grilling shrimp?

The secret to grilling shrimp is to cook it on medium high heat for 2-3 minutes per side or until it just turns pink on the outside and opaque inside.

More Shrimp Recipes to Try

Feel free to also browse through my entire collection of healthy shrimp recipes.

More Grilled Recipes to Try

Also check out all of our healthy grill recipes!

Grilled shrimp skewers served on a platter with a lemon wedge.
Grilled shrimp skewers garnished with parsley on a platter.

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These Grilled Shrimp Skewers are packed with lemon garlic flavor, require no marinating and are ready in just 15 minutes from now!
5 from 3 votes
Servings 10 skewers (7 shrimp each)
Calories 116
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • If using wooden skewers, pre-soak for 30 minutes. Thread shrimp onto skewers, about 5-7 per skewer.
  • In a small bowl, add olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, pepper and whisk (I use a brush). Brush each shrimp skewer on each side with the marinade and place onto a platter.
  • Preheat grill on medium heat and lightly oil the surface. Place shrimp skewers on BBQ, cover and grill for 2-3 minutes. Flip, cover and grill for 2-3 more minutes or until no longer transparent and pink.
  • Serve warm or cold.

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate covered for up to 2 days. Shrimp skewers taste amazing cold!
  • Freeze: Cool the shrimp before transferring to a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewer | Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 229mg | Sodium: 705mg | Sugar: 1g
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is excellent!!! My husband and I were tempted to eat out tonight, but decided to eat our own groceries. We marinated our shrimp skewers with this recipe and it was better than any shrimp we would have had at our local restaurants. 5 Star Rating!!!

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