Charcoal-Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp Skewers

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

Succulent shrimp marinated in a sweet and garlicky honey glaze, skewered and grilled over charcoal for a smoky finish. This bbq & smoked-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, minced garlic cloves, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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: 10 min Serves 4 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 5 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp salt to make the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs peeled and deveined large shrimp to the marinade, tossing gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: Prepare a charcoal grill with wood charcoal briquettes and let the coals burn until covered with white ash, about 20-30 minutes, achieving medium heat around 375°F.
  4. Step 4: Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers, leaving a little space between each shrimp for even cooking.
  5. Step 5: Grill the shrimp skewers directly over the hot coals for 2-3 minutes per side, until shrimp turn opaque and develop a slight char, basting once with reserved marinade during grilling.
  6. Step 6: Remove from grill and serve immediately with lemon wedges for an extra fresh zing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Charcoal-Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Charcoal-Grilled Honey Garlic 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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Honey Garlic 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 Charcoal-Grilled Honey Garlic 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 Charcoal-Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp Skewers?

BBQ & Smoked 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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