Charcoal-Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic and Lemon Butter

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

Juicy shrimp skewers grilled over charcoal and brushed with a fragrant garlic lemon butter sauce for a bright, smoky finish. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 23 minutes pairs pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tablespoons unsalted butter, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 260 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: 15 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 American cuisine 260 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter over low heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir and cook gently for 3 minutes until fragrant, then remove from heat.
  2. Step 2: Toss 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl. Thread shrimp onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, about 4-5 shrimp per skewer.
  3. Step 3: Preheat charcoal grill to medium-high heat (about 450°F). Place shrimp skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, brushing occasionally with half of the garlic lemon butter, until shrimp turn pink and edges are slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Remove shrimp skewers from grill and brush with remaining garlic lemon butter. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Charcoal-Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic and Lemon Butter take to make?

Total time is about 23 minutes (15 min prep + 8 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 Shrimp Skewers with Garlic and Lemon Butter?

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 tablespoons unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic and Lemon Butter?

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 Shrimp Skewers with Garlic and Lemon Butter 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 Shrimp Skewers with Garlic and Lemon Butter?

American 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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