Grilled Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Regional Spice Rub
Juicy shrimp marinated in a lemon-garlic mixture and coated with a regional spice blend, then grilled to smoky perfection. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 31 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, lemon juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread shrimp onto eight soaked wooden skewers, about 5-6 shrimp per skewer.
- Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred at edges.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Regional Spice Rub take to make?
Total time is about 31 minutes (25 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-Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Regional Spice Rub?
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 Regional Spice Rub?
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 Regional Spice Rub 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 Regional Spice Rub?
American 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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