Grilled Garlic-Lime Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Salsa
Juicy shrimp marinated in garlic and lime, grilled to perfection and served with a fresh avocado salsa bursting with citrus and cilantro. This latin american-inspired vietnamese ready in about 40 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, garlic cloves, minced, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
- 8 wooden skewers, soaked in water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb shrimp, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss well and marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the salsa by mixing 1 diced ripe avocado, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp lime zest, and 1 finely chopped jalapeño in a bowl; season with a pinch of salt and gently toss. Set aside.
- Step 3: Thread the marinated shrimp onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, about 4-5 shrimp per skewer.
- Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Serve the grilled shrimp skewers topped with the avocado salsa for a bright, fresh finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Garlic-Lime Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Salsa take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (30 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 Garlic-Lime Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Salsa?
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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Garlic-Lime Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Salsa?
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 Garlic-Lime Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Salsa 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 Grilled Garlic-Lime Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Salsa?
Latin American vietnamese 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A quick weeknight dinner that felt fancy. The lime-garlic marinade made everything pop.
- ★★★★★
My family devoured these skewers! The avocado salsa was the perfect balance of creamy and zesty.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect for summer grilling! The avocado salsa added a lovely freshness.