Garlic Grilled Shrimp is a perfect summer staple on the grill; especially on skewers! Just a simple soak in this tangy marinade and it stands alone as a kabob or delicious tucked into a zesty shrimp taco!
This is one of those ‘go-to recipes’ that make summertime livin’ so easy! Serve as a main dish or even as a snack for guests to eat alongside mojitos on the deck!
Grilled Shrimp Marinade
A marinade is meant to tenderize meat and infuse it with flavorful herbs and spices. This shrimp marinade is infused with garlic, lemon, and other fresh herbs and spice to create a deliciously tangy flavor!
Because shrimp is so tender, marinating and cooking takes mere minutes compared to other proteins so it’s important not to over-marinate or overcook!
How to Grill Garlic Grilled Shrimp
If preparing the marinade ahead of time, don’t toss in the shrimp until 20 minutes before ready to cook to ensure they are not over-marinated (making them mushy)!
- Combine everything in a bowl and marinate 20 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Thread the shrimp on the skewers and grill 2 to 3 minutes each side. Remove from skewers and place in a serving bowl.
Drizzle with garlic butter and a squirt of juice from a fresh lemon wedge!
Should I Soak the Skewers?
If the skewers you are using are made from wood then you’ll want to soak them so they don’t catch fire from the grill (or oven, or broiler) before the meat is finished cooking.
It doesn’t take long to soak a skewer. Fully immersing wooden skewers (of any length) while the shrimp marinates will do the trick!
Don’t Grill Your Shrimp Too Long
Shrimp is a popular protein all year because not only does it have a mild flavor that fits into many different cuisines (Italian, Thai, Japanese, American), but it takes mere minutes to cook! Just until the meat is no longer translucent and barely firm to the bite is as far as you need to go.
Overcooking shrimp will result in a rubbery result (insert tears of sadness here)! Be sure to remove shrimp from whatever heat source you’re cooking on just as soon as it is pink!
What to Serve With Shrimp
Garlic grilled shrimp pairs perfectly in a taco with shredded lettuce, and a tangy pico de gallo. Try grilled shrimp over a bed of lettuce with sliced red onions and a tangy vinaigrette for a delicious salad!
Shrimp Recipes You’ll Love
- Bang Bang Shrimp – crispy shrimp with a creamy, spicy sauce!
- Pineapple Teriyaki Shrimp Foil Packets – light & fresh
- Shrimp Stir Fry – ready in under 30 mins!
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil – fun flavorful summer meal!
- Shrimp and Grits – classic Southern combo (personal favorite)
Garlic Grilled Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
Marinade
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon parsley chopped
- lemon wedges for serving optional
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl and whisk. Allow shrimp to marinate at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- Thread shrimp on skewers and grill 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from skewers and place in a serving bowl.
- Drizzle with garlic butter and serve warm with lemon wedges if desired.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
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Delicious recipe! I actually just made the marinade and grilled the marinated shrimp and we ate it like that with rice, didn’t need the garlic butter (but the garlic butter would be a nice addition especially if eating with pasta). Will definitely keep this recipe to make again!
we make this often..it’s a favorite of my grown kiddos
I have been using this recipe for two years and it is my go to recipe for grilling shrimp. I simply love this marinade and when we make it, there are no leftovers! Guests who say “I don’t really like shrimp” have tasted this and been converted. It is so preparation friendly – while the shrimp marinate you can work on preparing the rest of your meal. I highly recommend this recipe!
This is a recipe I have made a few times, it turns out every time and is loved every time!! Worth the five stars for sure!
Fantastic recipe. I wish I had a dollar for every “5 star” internet recipe that turned out to be a dud…this one is truly 5 starts. This grilled shrimp recipe is not only easy to make, but hits on so many levels. Garlic and citrus combo really worked. And tomato paste added nice depth. Thank you!!