Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Hot Shrimp Skewers

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender shrimp marinated in a fiery Caribbean jerk spice blend, grilled to perfection for a smoky and hot seafood appetizer. This caribbean-inspired seafood ready in about 16 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, jerk seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp jerk seasoning, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread shrimp onto 6 soaked wooden skewers, about 5-6 shrimp per skewer.
  4. Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque with slight char marks but not overcooked. Remove from grill and serve immediately with lime wedges.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Hot Shrimp Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Hot Shrimp Skewers?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Hot Shrimp Skewers?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Hot Shrimp Skewers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Hot Shrimp Skewers?

Caribbean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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