Grilled Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice
Juicy shrimp marinated in zesty lemon and garlic grilled to perfection, served over fragrant cilantro lime rice for a fresh and vibrant seafood meal. This seafood-inspired grilling ready in about 50 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, lemon juice, garlic cloves, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: While shrimp marinates, rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add the rice, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 18 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers, leaving a little space between each. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred.
- Step 4: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Stir in 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1 teaspoon lime zest until fragrant and evenly mixed.
- Step 5: Serve the grilled shrimp skewers atop the cilantro lime rice for a bright, flavorful dish.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 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-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice?
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 lemon juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice?
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-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice 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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Cilantro Lime Rice?
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.
