Grilled Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Cucumber Salad

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

Bright citrus-marinated shrimp grilled to perfection and served with a refreshing avocado and cucumber salad, this Whole30 dish is light yet satisfying. This caribbean-inspired whole30 (whole30, gluten free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: While shrimp marinates, prepare salad by combining 1 medium diced cucumber, 1 medium diced ripe avocado, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 small finely chopped red onion, and 1 small minced jalapeño (if using) in a bowl. Toss gently and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes first).
  4. Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
  5. Step 5: Serve grilled shrimp skewers alongside the avocado cucumber salad for a refreshing Whole30 meal.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Cucumber Salad 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Cucumber Salad?

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 fresh orange juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Cucumber Salad?

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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Cucumber Salad 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.

Is Grilled Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Cucumber Salad whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes