Grilled Sambal Marinated Shrimp Skewers

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

Juicy shrimp marinated in a spicy Indonesian sambal paste, grilled to smoky perfection and served with a squeeze of lime. This indonesian-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs grams large shrimp, peeled and deveined, red chili paste (sambal oelek), garlic cloves, minced 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.

Prep: 35 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Indonesian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 2 tbsp red chili paste (sambal oelek), 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir until well mixed to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 400 grams peeled and deveined large shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to absorb flavors.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated shrimp onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, 4-5 shrimp per skewer.
  4. Step 4: Grill the shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque with slight char marks, basting occasionally with leftover marinade.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill and serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the shrimp.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Sambal Marinated Shrimp Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (35 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 Sambal Marinated Shrimp Skewers?

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 Sambal Marinated Shrimp Skewers?

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 Sambal Marinated Shrimp Skewers 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 Sambal Marinated Shrimp Skewers?

Indonesian 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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