Description
A quick, zesty, and impressive grilled shrimp appetizer that serves as the perfect bright counterpoint to heavy summer BBQ fare. Ready in under 15 minutes of active work, this recipe features a lemon-garlic herb marinade that keeps the shrimp juicy and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds jumbo shrimp (16–20 count), peeled and deveined
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from 3–4 large lemons)
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Additional lemon wedges for serving
- Fresh parsley sprigs for garnish
- Crusty bread for serving
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear and prevent steaming.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Add the shrimp to the marinade and toss gently to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to 2 hours (do not exceed 4 hours to avoid mushy texture).
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior.
- Thread 3-4 shrimp onto each skewer, leaving a little space between them for heat circulation.
- Place skewers on the hot grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are opaque, pink, and form a ‘C’ shape.
- Transfer to a serving platter, squeeze fresh lemon over the top, garnish with parsley, and serve immediately with crusty bread.
Notes
[‘Do not marinate for more than 4 hours as the acid will break down the shrimp texture.’, ‘Ensure shrimp are very dry before grilling to prevent sticking and steaming.’, ‘Cook on high heat for a quick sear; overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery.’, “Look for the ‘C’ shape when shrimp are done; an ‘O’ shape indicates overcooking.”, ‘Reserve a small amount of marinade before adding raw shrimp if you wish to use it as a dipping sauce later.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 3 skew
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: grilled shrimp, labor day recipe, summer appetizer, marinated shrimp, party food, quick seafood, lemon garlic shrimp, bbq side dish