Grilled Lemon-Black Pepper Shrimp

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy shrimp marinated in lemon and black pepper, grilled to perfection with a hint of smokiness. This seafood-inspired grilling ready in about 21 minutes pairs shrimp, lemon juice, black peppercorns for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, 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: 6 min Serves 2 Seafood cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 12 oz shrimp in a bowl and add 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp crushed black peppercorns, and 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil. Toss to coat evenly and marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375°F) and lightly oil the grates. Thread shrimp onto skewers, discarding any excess marinade.
  3. Step 3: Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred, turning once halfway through.
  4. Step 4: While shrimp grills, mince 2 garlic cloves and finely chop 2 tbsp fresh parsley. Toss the minced garlic and parsley into the reserved marinade in the bowl.
  5. Step 5: Remove shrimp from grill, drizzle with garlic-parsley marinade, and serve immediately while still warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemon-Black Pepper Shrimp take to make?

Total time is about 21 minutes (15 min prep + 6 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 Lemon-Black Pepper Shrimp?

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 shrimp from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Black Pepper Shrimp?

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 Lemon-Black Pepper Shrimp for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon-Black Pepper Shrimp?

Seafood grilling 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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