Chili-Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic Butter
Juicy shrimp marinated in a zesty chili-lime sauce, grilled to perfection and brushed with a fragrant garlic butter for a vibrant seafood dish. This caribbean-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp salt. Add 1 lb peeled shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook gently for 2 minutes until fragrant, then remove from heat.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Thread shrimp onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, about 4-5 shrimp per skewer.
- Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side, until shrimp turn pink and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Remove shrimp from grill and immediately brush generously with the garlic butter. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chili-Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 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 Chili-Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chili-Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic 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 Chili-Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic 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 Chili-Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic Butter?
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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