Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers Recipe – Perfectly Grilled for 2024

As the weather warms up and backyard barbecues become more frequent, grilled shrimp skewers are a tasty and easy appetizer option. The sweet, succulent shrimp pair deliciously with the bright flavors of lemon, garlic and butter. Serving these flavorful skewers will impress your guests and have them begging for the recipe. In this article we talk about Perfectly Grilled Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers In 2024-Recipe & ingredients.

In this detailed post, we will walk through step-by-step how to make these mouthwatering Grilled Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers. We will cover:

• The ingredients you need
• Helpful tools & equipment
• Marinating and preparing the shrimp
• Constructing and grilling the skewers
• Serving suggestions and pairing ideas

By the end of this post, you’ll be ready to make these skewers like a pro! So let’s get started.

Ingredients for Grilled Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers When it comes to the ingredients, this recipe couldn’t be simpler. You likely have a lot of these ingredients already in your kitchen!

Here’s what you’ll need to make a full batch of these tasty shrimp skewers:

• 1 and 1/2 pounds of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of butter, softened
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bamboo skewers, soaked in water (you’ll need about 12)

The star ingredients are obviously the shrimp themselves. Opt for fresh large shrimp if possible. I prefer sizes like 26/30 or 21/25 count. Peel the shrimp, leaving the tails on for appearance. Then use a paring knife to slice along the backs and remove the veins.

The other key ingredients for flavor are lemon, garlic and butter. The bright acidity of the lemon balances beautifully with the rich garlic butter. While the oregano and olive oil also complement the shrimp.

When it comes to equipment, you don’t need much beyond skewers and a grill pan or outdoor grill. But here are some helpful tools:

Helpful Tools & Equipment

• Bamboo skewers – soak for 30 minutes first
• Small bowl for marinade
• Grill basket (optional)
• Basting brush
• Tongs
• Lemon zester or microplane
• Aluminum foil

Bamboo skewers are classic, as they won’t overcook the shrimp as some metal skewers can. Just be sure to soak them for 30 minutes beforehand so they don’t burn on the grill.

A grill basket also helps ensure the shrimp don’t fall through the grates, but isn’t strictly necessary. Tongs, a basting brush and zester round out the basic equipment you’ll need.

How to Marinate Shrimp for Grilled Lemon Garlic Butter Skewers

One of the keys to maximizing the flavor of these shrimp is letting them marinate for 30-60 minutes before grilling. This allows time for the lemon, garlic, butter and oregano to penetrate into the shrimp.

Here is the easy process:

1. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and some salt and pepper. Whisk together.
2. Add the shrimp and toss until evenly coated in marinade.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

You don’t need much time in the marinade for the flavors to set in. And you don’t want to go much longer or the lemon juice could start to actually “cook” the shrimp. 30-60 minutes is the sweet spot.

Assembling the Skewers

After marinating, we’ll build our skewers:

1. Drain the marinade from the shrimp and discard excess.
2. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
3. Grab your soaked bamboo skewers and slide 3-4 shrimp onto each, leaving about 1⁄4 inch between each.
4. Place assembled skewers on a baking sheet or plate.

The shrimp are now ready for the grill! But before firing up the grill, we’ll make our flavored butter baste.

Whipping up Lemon Garlic Butter Baste

This compound butter adds incredible richness and flavor as it melts over the shrimp on the hot grill.

To make it:

1. Soften the 2 tablespoons of butter to room temperature.
2. Mix in 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch of oregano.
3. Whip with a fork until fully blended.

That’s all it takes! This flavored butter takes just seconds to mix up but packs a serious punch.

Grilling the Shrimp Skewers to Perfection

Now comes the fun part – firing up the grill! Here is how to grill shrimp skewers like a professional:

1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
2. Give each bamboo skewer a quick dip in the flavored butter.
3. Place skewers directly onto grill grates. Reserve any extra butter.
4. Grill for 2 minutes until lightly charred. Flip and grill 2 minutes on the second side.
5. Use reserved butter and basting brush to coat shrimp as they cook.
6. Transfer skewers to a platter and squeeze any remaining butter over them.

The shrimp cook fast at just 2 minutes per side, so stay close as they grill. Basting them with that garlic lemon butter adds tons of extra flavor.

You’ll know they are ready when the shrimp turn opaque and have nice grill marks. Don’t overcook them or they can become rubbery.

Serving Suggestions

Your flavorful grilled shrimp skewers are ready to be devoured! Here are some tasty ways to serve them:

• On a platter with lemon wedges for squeezing over.
• Over a bed of greens or orzo pasta salad.
• In mini buns or rolls for shrimp tacos or sliders.
• Alongside grilled veggies like zucchini and sweet corn.
• Topped with an extra dollop of the garlic butter.

What to Drink with Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These skewers also pair nicely with a variety of beverages:

• A light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc
• Sparkling wines like Prosecco or Cava
• Light and refreshing beers
• Summery cocktails like margs, mojitos or sangria

The bright citrus notes and herby flavors make these skewers very versatile for pairing.

Tips for Grilled Lemon Garlic Shrimp Perfection

Want your shrimp to turn out perfect every time? Keep these extra tips in mind:

• Use fresh shrimp if possible for the best texture and flavor
• Resist overcrowding skewers which can cause uneven cooking
• Double skewer if needed to prevent spinning on the grill
• Watch closely, don’t walk away too long while grilling
• Consider using a grill basket for easier flipping
• Brush on extra garlic butter the last 30 seconds of grilling

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

You probably won’t have many leftovers because these shrimp skewers go fast! But here are some tips if you do:

• Allow to cool completely then refrigerate within 2 hours
• Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days
• Reheat gently in a skillet with a little butter or olive oil
• You can also served chilled, perhaps over greens

The shrimp taste great freshly grilled but still hold up nicely when reheated gently the next day. So fire up those grills and get ready for your best shrimp skewers yet. I sincerely hope you find this “Perfectly Grilled Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers In 2024-Recipe & ingredients” article helpful.